FARMERS’ UNION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 17624, 8 October 1921, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

TJMARU BRANCH

A meeting of the Timaru Branch ol the Farmers' Union was held in Timaru yesterday. Present.—Messrs AY. J. Bassett (chairman), P. 11. Talbot, AY. B. Jones, G. E. Elliott, J. Brown, IV. A. Morrison, C. L. Orbell, L. G. Smith, and G. Porter. Referring to the small birds nuisance Air C. L. Orbell said that very effective poison could be purchased at the office of the Levels County Council.

The chairman said he thought that the money spent on birds’ heads and eggs could be better spent on making poison and distributing it. Letters were received from Aiessrs Craigie, Bitchener, and Burnett, M.P.’s in regard to the small birds nuisance.

With regard to a possible surplus of wheat from the growing crop a letter was received from the South Canterbury Executive of the Union asking that information in regard to the probable yield be supplied by November 1. The Executive also advised th.it they had sot up a sub-committee to meet the mill-owners, and chaff-cutters.

Rural mail deliveries were briefly discussed.

The chairman expressed the opinion that the Department’s now proposals on this subject were scandalous, so far as charges were concerned.

Mr Talbot moved, and Air Orbell seconded: “That this branch protests strongly against the action of the Postal Department in charging £2 per settler for the delivery of mail matter, and that the local Al.P.’s be asked to support this resolution.” The motion was carried unanimously.

With regard to the opening of . the shearing classes Alessrs AA . Fossey and R. J. MoKeowu met the committee to discuss dates for starting. The chairman said that farmers werenot. in any hurry to start shearing this season, especially in view of the low price of wool. Air AlcKeown said it was necessary to know the approximate- number oi sheep that would be available for the classes. He thought the shearing should be got through as early as possible.

It was decided that if sufficientsheep arc forthcoming tho classes should oi)ou on October 17, and that ail farmers who are willing to supply sheep be asked to notify the sub-committee.

A brief discussion took place- on the charges for selling wool, it being said that the- present charges were about <SO per cent in excess of those otf pre-war years.