NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION

Waikato Argus, Volume XXI, Issue 3297, 29 September 1906, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION

PATEKANGI BRANCH. A meeting of this branch was held in the hall on Wednesday, 26th inst. Mr Robert Kay occupied the chair. There were twenty members present. There were three new members elected. Correspondence was read from the Auckland executive re accident insurance j also re the present Land Bill before Parliament, covering copy of a resolution forwarded to Parliament by the executive. —It was unanimously resolved that a similar resolution be sent to Mr Greenslade, our member, and a copy to Mr Massey, the leader of the Opposition, objecting in strong terms to the passage of such a measure.—lt was also decided that Messrs. Kay and Ryburn be deputed to attend the meeting to be held in Auckland on the 27th inst. in connection with this matter. A letter was also received from the postmistress, drawing the club’s attention to the small salary allowed by Government for duties in connection with the office. ..Previous to the establishment of the telephone her duties were comparatively light, with only one mail a day, and not much room was required; but now she must be in attendance all day, and on occasions late into the night, and a good-sized room is occupied, and the pay is only 8s per week. It was decided that the secretary write to the Post Office Department and lay the facts before it, and ask for some allowance for rent and also an increase in salary. An interesting discussion then followed on the land question. Mr Bussell made a very good defence for freehold, and Mr Ingram, a visitor, followed by taking up the leasehold, and although he is a good speaker and very plausible, he was not able to make any impression on the audience, a number of whom in their criticism announced themselves staunch freeolders. Such arguments as are often used by leaseholders, especially 1 ’nd nationalisers, just suit the unempl yod who have little or nothing and would always be willing to divide with the other fellow who had something.—Mr Ingram received a vote of thanks.

It was decided to consider the accident insurance at next meeting. Is it not strange that in this province where the Mutual Fire Insurance Act was brought into life we have done nothing, while in Otago and Taranaki it has been in successful operation. In the former there was a loss only of £B, while the premiums amounting to nearly .£l5O have been carried forward to profit and loss account, and the amount of risks now covered amount to about .£BO,OOO. In Taranaki the amount of risks is not quite so large but there was no loss at all.—Own Correspondent.