FARMERS' UNION.

Waipa Post, Volume VI, Issue 266, 21 November 1913, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

TE AWAMUTU BRANCH

A meeting of the above branch

of the Farmers' Union took place in the Cosmopolitan club room last night, There was a large, at-

tendance of members, over whom V;the president (Mr ;C. M, ■ Alexander) presided. The minutes of the previous meeting were taken as read. The chairman referred to the resolution.passed at the last meeting of the Rangiaohia Road Board, and the thanks of the Union was due to the Board for 'their action. He had, in company with'Mr M. C. Lawson, gone to Auckland to find out the true position of affairs from Major Lusk. He found that all - the men were well and comfort- > able and had no desire to leave until the trouble was settled.- He had been assured that every thingpossible would be done to help those who had sacrificed so much to help-to keep the port open. Letters were received from

Messrs W. Taylor and C. J. Storey, asking X 6 be elected members of the Union. —The chairman stated the Union was very fortunate in having such men at the back of the Union. The following new members were proposed : Messrs W.Taylor, Frank Taylor, John Taylor, [ C, J. Storey, Mathers, Ryan, F. McGovern, J. Law, G. Churches, J. Riley, F. Potts, W. C. Murphy, J. M. Ingham, E. H. Clarke, A. G. Rushbrook jr., J. Coxhead, J. W. Spraggs, P. McVerry, W. Searanche, J. B. Teasdale, G. Emery, H. Tanner, J. B. Valder, W. Mills, Robt. Kidd, A. Neilson, W. B. Bailey, J. E. Perry, F. W. Gibson, J. Fitzgerald, B. McGechie, J. G. Elmsly, S. Madgwick, D. Hastings, F. S. Parlane, R. A. Stevenson, N. J. Scott, C. D. Campbell, J. Olliver, E. Bridgeman. The secretary stated that the membership of the branch was now over 120, and-was the strongest branch in the Auckland province, which announcement was received with applause. On the motion of the chairman it was resolved that a hearty vote of thanks be tendered to the Rangiaohia Road Board and that they be asked to co-operate with the Town Board in assisting to welcome the men when they return from Auckland.

Mr Cavanagh urged that if it was intended to raise funds for the occasion there was no time like the present. If the matter was delayed he doubted if they would be so successful as if the matter were taken in hand at once. He ■ moved, " That subscription lists be opened at once to raise funds to welcome the boys on their return, any balance to "be at the disposal of the Te Awamutu branch of the Farmers' Union." Mr McGhie seconded the proposal, and thought the idea a good one. He was convinced that now was the time to act. They could count on the co-oper-ation of the Rangiaohia Road Board.,

It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Standen, seconded by Mr Jary, that power be given to add to the number of the committee appointed at last meeting to go into the matter of welcoming the men.

Mr Jary drew the brunch's attention to the efforts of the executive for the protection of industries, and read the following : Realising the ualue of the organisation of farmers, the executive of the Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union has discussed the advisability of a scheme whereby farmers' organisations in Australia, Tasmania, and ■New Zealand may act together in case of dislocation of trade caused by industrial strife. At a meeting of the executive held on Saturday it was decided to get into close touch with all the farmers' unions in Australia and Tasmania with a view to prevent any attempts to hold up boats from Australia to New Zealand or vice versa. The secretary (Mr A. Schmitt) renoited that steps had already been taken in this direction, and even now he was in communication with two important Australian unions on the> subject. Mr Schmitt explained that the idea of the scheme put forward was for the farmers' unions and associations in the southern hemisphere to co-operate on a large scale, so that primary industries would be protected and not left to the mercy of irresponsible agitators. The farmers were fully alive to the danger to national interests of certain labour organisations controlled by strike sympathisers, and the scheme .now put forward by his executive would help to maintain national interests and circumvent the threatened danger. He was Anguine that the complete organisation of farmers' iflffons in Australasia would be the outcome of the present crisis. , ~/rhe- following resolution was Miiovud by Mr Jary and seconded •by the chairman :—" That this ' branch write to the executive and endorsr the action it is taking and at the same time agreeing to 'the security they are offering us, and hope they will bring it to a successful issue." On the suggestion of _ Mr Stewart it was decided that it be a recommendation to the executive that a badge be worn by members, which would be a guarantee of welcome to everyone, both in New Zealand and Australia. This, it was contended, would have an enormous

and far-reaching effect in the matter of consolidation and combination.

It was decided to embody the suggestion in the foregoing resolution.

The secretary stated that he had considered his recent desire to tender resignation, and in view of the present state of affairs he •had decided to withdraw it. He, however trusted the branch could see their w'ay to grant him some assistance.

It was proposed that Mr E. H. Clarke be appointed assistant secretary to the branch.

RAYMOND GRACE TO BE EXPELLED. The following notice of motion was given:—"That Raymond Angelo Grace, of Pirongia, discharged special constable, be expelled with disgrace from the Te Awamutu branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union for having lied and traitorously endeavoured to damage the Union by his false statements published in the Auckland Strike Bulletin on November 14th, 1913."

The action of the Te Awamutu branch is approved by the Auckland provincial executive.'