TUAPEKA FARMERS' UNION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1906, 22 June 1892, Page 3

TUAPEKA FARMERS' UNION.

The annual meeting of the above body was held in the schoolhouse, Tuapeka West, on Wednesday evening last ; Mr Jas. Fahey in the chair.

FINANCIAL.

The balance-sheet for the year showed a debit of £2 14s 2d, whilst arrears of members' subscriptions stood at £17 12s.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Mr Jas. Fahey was elected President of the Union for the ensuing year; Mr Baird, Vice-President ; and Mr Jno. Mackay, Secretary and Treasurer. Nine members were elected a committee to supervise the affairs of the Union during the year. THE KOAD THROUGH THE ATHEN-ffiUM RESERVE.

A motion was moved and carried, which the Secretary was directed to forward to the member for the riding,

oalling his attention to the state of the road through the Athenseum reserve, and asking to have same put in a passable state of repair.

THE BAG QUESTION. Some very pointed remarks were made by mecibers on the subject of weighing in bags with grain. It was thought that the crusade undertaken by farmers against this custom a few years ago had definitely settled the question. But this is not by any means the case; and it is not at ail improbable that before long the farmers will once more find themselves compelled to take a decided stand against it. The practice, it is true, is not as common or as prevalent as it was ; but it is gradually again taking shape, and ifc is now just common enough to prove that the dealers have not quite abandoned their claim to the privilege, and will insist ou it when it suits their convenience to do so. It is, therefore the duty of the farmers' associations, as several members pointed out, to take time by the forelock, and before the practice once more gains the force of custom to take measures to prevent its growth — to nip it in the bud, in fact. It would be found much easier to do this than to fight the question over again, as will eventually have to be done, unless p vigilant watch is kept and prompt action taken. This will be apparent when it is remembered that to the last the buyers maintained the justice of their claims to weigh in the bags, and ouly gave way when they lound they could not resist the pressure of the movement organised by the farmers' organisations. Their opinions on the subject, it maybe safely assumed, have siuce then undergone no change ; and unless they are promptly checked, and given to understand that on no account will the unjust custom be again tolerated it may be safely relied on that the attempt will once again be made. In fact, ifc is already being made ; and hence the necessity of souuding the alarm and putting the farmers ou their mettle.

COMPLIMENTARY.

A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the retiring president and officers for the valuable services they had rendered to the Union during the year, and the warm interest they had on every occasion evinced in its welfare. The welfare of i such an institution as this depends very largely, not only for its strength and stability aud the progress it makes, but for its influence and the character of the work it accomplishes, on the officers who very much direct and control its affairs. In this respect the Uuion has always from its inception been well served ; but never better than it has been during the past year. Very great regret was expressed by the members at the projected departure of Mr Geo. Redpath from the district. Mr Reapath occupied up to the present the position of secretary; and it is no exaggeration to say that it would not be possible to find anyone who could bring the same amount of zeal and energy to the discharge of the duties of hisapositiou, and for his willing services to the Uuion the members are all deeply grateful to him. S uitable replies having been made by the retiring officers the proceedings were brought to a close. — (Co respondent.)