WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1230, 22 April 1902, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the aliove was held at Cambridge last evening. Mr J. Parnph (President) presided, and about twenty tremlurs were present*

Decimal System.—Let*era were received f(mn the British Ass eia'.ion enclosing phamptets ru the subject, also fron Air lloimyne. Gt nsral Manager of Railways, stating that if the commercial community adopted the system the Railway Urpurt would fall in. New Members.— The following now members were proposed and duly el-etcd-—Messrs J. Hammond, Murray, Jeffs, G. Allright, G. B. Simpson. Tone Owen, M. Anderson, \V. 1£ Mahood, W. Browne, Allen, Grant. H. A. Alexander, M.G. Shakeapero, J. Bokousby. A.R Hine, H. A. Death, S. Knight., Newson .Shepherd, P. O’Grady, H, Scott, 'V R. West, ’L’. Hall, C. King, W. R. G. Walker, • Donation. —A letter was received from Mr Grice, of Koto-o-t angi, enclosing a cln quo for £2 2s as a donation. In the letter he expressed the opinion that die Club had done good work.—A vote of thanks was pissed to the donor, and tile Secretary was insti noted to ask him to give an address on manures. Stamping Documents.— A letter was received from Mr McGowan, stating that the Postmaster-General was quite willing to make the exp-rimeut of stamping documents a' post-offices if the Commissioner of Stamps saw his way 10 consent.

Agricultural Conference. —A letter was read, inviting the Club to send delegates to the conference to bo held in Dunedin on the 2Gth and 27th June.— On the motion of the Chairman it was decided not to send representatives, on tlio grounds that the Club’s amalgamation with the Union, and die contemplated eouference in Wellington under its auspices, rendered 'the conference unnecessary.

Railway Weiohino.—A letter was received in answer to a complaint of inaccurate weighing at Frankton Junction, asking for more definite information. A sub-committee was set up to collate facts and comply with the request. Overworked Children*.—A letter was received from the Te Awamulu Branch enclosing a resolution denying the charge which had been made by certain teachers that ohildrrn were so overworked by being compelled to milk a nuntbir of cows before going to school, that they wete unfit for mental work. The branch asked the parent Club to pass a resolution on the same lines. —Mr Forrest said that in a few isolated eases the children arc over-worked,he kniw of a case wlure one boy milked 17 cows before going to school.—After remarks from seveial members Mr J. Anderson moved that the Club endor-e the resolution of the Te Awamu.tu Branch as the statement of teachers did not hold good in the Waika o. —Mr Butler said he knew the case reported referred to by Mr Forrest, there were three men and three boys engaged •in milking 70 cows. If the hoys milked as many us stated how many did the men milk ?Mr Anderson’s motion was iS'ilried unanimously.

Affiliation wiiii Farmers’ Union*.— The President moved,, ‘Tout the secretary he instructed to communicate with the Farmers' Union signifying the wish of the elub lo affiliate, and accepting the invitation to do so.’ The club, he added, would remain perfectly independent, but would bo called upon to contribute to the funds of the Union, There had been a great deal of talk about taking part in politic-*, but if they did not do so their combination would bo of little or no benefit to the farmers. —Mr Crane, in seconding the motion, said thatdf the farmers were banded together they could command legislation in their interests. They did nut want party politics, but farmers’ politics.—Mr J. Fi-her said he was sorry that the club was about to be put aside lo some extent and replaced as rcgaida some of its functions by the Union. Tlie cluh'vhad always avoided party polities. It had always considered measures, not men, aud he saw uo reason why the Union should not do the same tiling. They must waive sentiment in the interests of the funning community. HO wonli vote for the motion.—Mr Forrest raised the objection that as they had difficulty in collecting the Club fees they would net ho able to collect the additional fee for the Union, and th y would get l.nded in difficulties. In referring to the resolutions passed by the Trades Unions, lie said the}’ talked about what they did not understand. They wanted only eight horns work, and eight loaves for 2*l. Ho believed the present Ministry would do justice to the farmers if the tinners g .ve them a little more support. He would like to see the farmers combine to fix prices. Mr B’aokutt said the object of the meeting lo he held in Wellington was lo decide upon u plattform. When this was fixed up u it would be necessary to send aide men through the country to inform the farmers. He wou'd suggest, that a prize be offered for the best platform. The Trades Unions got all they wanted by sticking together, hut lie believed Mr Seddon was ashamed of them.—The Chairman, in reference to the fees to the Union, said that the Club would only pay o-or the subscriptions it received ; it took no liability in the mutter. —The motion was then put and carried unanimously. Accident Insurance.—The Chairman intimated that ho has prepared two circulars on this matter setting forth the terms offered by the Commercial Union Company, aud explaining the advantages which members of the Farmers’ Union would receive in the shape of concessit n in rate-*.

Size of Sacks. —The Chairman moved: * This Club in in favour of a two bush?! suck for grain, ami a 48 inch for chaff and grass seed. - Mr Forest seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. Weighing Sacks In.—Mr C. Day moved : ‘This Club disapproves of the system of weighing sacks in, and advocates that all be paid for.—Mr Gane seconded. —Carried unanimously. NCARUAWAHIA BRANCH. The Ng iruawahia Brunch of the above Club met in the Waipa Hold on Saturday evening The Chairman (Mr T. Paterson) presided. There was a good attendance. Committee.— Mr W. Horne having been a; pointed on the committee in place of Mr Graves, who resigned in his favour, the minutes of the previous meeting, uc which the Executive was re-elected in a a body, wore then confirmed. Payment of Fees.— Correspondence from the President and General Secretary of the Club re members’ toll and fees was read. Mr Horne pointed out the indefiuiCcncss of the rules of the Club relating to the payment of foes, which rules simply state that member-hip depends upon payment of an annual fee of ss, but there is nothing in them to show the intention of the .Executive in the matter, viz., that a fee shall cover membership from February to February in each year. Kawiiia Lands. —The action of the Government re the tenure of the Kawhia lands was adversely criticised. Farmers’ Union.—' The election of Mr Kirkbride to the position of President of the Fanners’ Union was highly approved of, also his condemnation of the resolutions affecting the farming community passed at the Trades and Labour Confercnce recent y held in Auckland. Honorary Memoer. —lt was resolved to tender Mr Lang, M.H.R., an honorary membership of the branch, and to invite him to address tho branch in that capacity on matters of public iuterest to farmers. Professor. Kirk. —lt was also decided to invite Professor Kirk, Government Biologist, to giv.s a lecture on grasses at Nguruawahia similar toHhe one he gave at Hamilton. Social. —A sub-committee, consisting of the Chainnau, Vice-Chairman, and

Secret *ry, was elected to arrange for a social in i o I eld at next fu l l moon, to which social the President and the Executive of all the branch-a are invited.

Thanes —A vote of thanks accorded to Mr Guthrie for the use of his commercial room cloied the meeting. WHATAWHATA BRANCH. The annual meeting of the above branch was held in Iwarson's Hull on Saturday evening. There was a fair attendance of members, Mr Shepherd being ia tin; chair List ok Mkm ricks. — The s Pcr , tary read co'respoinicuce from the President and (Jenetal Secretary, repuesling that » full list of members of the Branch be Rent to the parent Cluh. This hid been done. Balance-sheet. —The balance-sheet showed that the Branch had a balance in hand of £2 ds (id.

Elk iion of < fficf.r ; .—The following r.flio. rs for the ensuing year were elected : Mr E. C Shepherd, Chairman ; Mr T. O. Blackett. Vice-Chairman ; and Messrs A. Calder, J. Mod it, I, W. Mawhinney, P. Sutton, M Fitzgerald, IT. U. Poyutcr and T. Nupicr members of the committee.

The Past Season.—ln referring to tlie work of the past year, the Chairman said that members might make the Branch more useful by giving their expci ienecs in farming matters in Iho form of papers dealing with specific subjects.—Mr Blackett promised lo read a paper on • The Dairy ’ at the next meeting, Mr Mawhinney to follow with some experiences in growing such crops as carrots, onions, etc.

Size of Sa'.ks.—A discussion on the hag question took place, the general feeling being in favour of using two bushel hags for gr-iin and th iso of larger size for chaff and potatoes. Le-fi.its. —Some leaflets received from the Stock Departmeut were distributed among members, also some Pi esa extracts dealing with the proposed affiliation of the Cluh with the Fannfcrs’ Union. Meetings.—lt was decided to hold Branch meetings every two months during the winter. Thanks. — Before the meeting closed Mr Bl.ckett moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman for the time and attention he had given to the work of the Branch.—This was catried by acclamation. OHAUPO BRANCH. The monthly meeting of the Ohaupo Branch of the Waikato Farmers’ Club was held in the Council Chambers on Satin day evening last The were pie‘ge ;t ; Messrs Hrcenslude (Chairman), ,1. T. Edwards, Brown, Rauch, Gildroy, Karl, Turney, Hope and bochc. Finance. —The Secretary read a statement of accounts which showed receipts £5, and expendiUno, £2 9s ; leaving a babmeo to credit of £2 Us. The Secretary was authorised lo pay £2 5( to the parent Chit). Day of Meeting.— lt was decided that the monthly meetings bo bold on Fridays instead on Saturdays, owing to Saturday being the sale day at Te Awamutu. Election of Officers. —Mr Greenslade was uuanimously elected Chairman ; Mr Gildtoy, vice-t haitmau.pCommittee, Messrs J. T. Edwards, Hope, Tu'ney, Ohyc and A. Karl ; Sec •< tary, Mr Roche. The Chairman thanked the meeting fc electing him, but ihoneht the honour ought to go round. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Chairman for his past services. Size of Sacks. —Re small tacks for grain, after some discussion the opinion was expressed that the matter required further consideration. Affiliation. This subject caused considerable discusderi, but as the interests of the farmers would he paramount, and party pol tica afterwards, it was uaanimou-ly decided to affiliate with the Formers’ Union, the Chairman remarking that the time was coming when we should have to affiliate for our o"-n protection. Seles and Manures.—An interesting d scussioa also took place on seeds and manure*.

Thanks.—A vote of thunks to the Chairman concluded the meeting. TE KOWHAI BRANCH. The monthly meeting of the above brunch was held on 16th inst. About the average number of members in attendance. Duo Tax. — A letter was received from the parent Club re dog tux. They considered it unwise to'aholish the dog tax, as it kept down useless dogs running at large Tbs branch considered that the fact still remained that the f rmer has to pay for keeping a good dog, and it is a mutter for regret that the Cambridge Club could have no o'h'r way of keeping down sporting dogs and oilier useless kinds without taxing the cat la dog. Vote of Thanks. —Mr trmmer moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Spragg and the directors of the New Zealand Dairy Association for grunting a site for 'he Post Office.—Mr Corbett seconded the rcsulutiou, which was curried. Re-ONION.— The a-couuts of the reunion were then gone into, and showed u balance of 4s 6d after paying all accounts.

Sacks.—The suck question th n came up, and it was resolved to favour the 26 x 48 as being the only sack to suit the farmers in Waikato, as they were chuff grbwers, not wl oat growers. Liability of Seed Merchants.— Mr Corbett then moved, and Mr Corboy aecondi d, that the merchants should be held liable fur the description as to variety of seed supplied by them. —On 1 eing put to tha meeting the motion was unanimously carried. Auctioneers’ Commission.—The Chairman brought up tue question of the Auckland auctioneers charging on grain and chaff for rt c.iviugand delivery besides commission. —As resolution was curried as follows: ‘That the parent club be requested to consider the matter of discontinuing tho auotioneeers’ charges on grain, chaff and other farm produce, as the commission should cover the whole cost of selling aud handling.’ Hall.—Mr Limmer brought up the question of erecting a hull utTc Kovvhai. It was pointed out that tho school was not Urge enough for tho requirements of the district ; in fict, the district is expanding so fast that it is absolutely urgently required, and as Te Kowhai has many-fiiends outside the district the financial position could be easily got over. The matter was then left in the hands of the chairman, the secretary and Mr Cox to report at next meeting as to the cost of building.