FARMERS’ UNION.

Waipa Post, Volume VII, Issue 329, 10 July 1914, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION.

The monthly meeting of the Te Awamutu branch of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Oddfellow’s Hall on Wednesdav evening. Owing to counter attractions the attendance was not as large as usual. Owing to the absence of the president, Mr G. B. Budden was voted to the chair. MISSING HORSE. The secretary informed the meeting that as far as he was aware nothing further had been done in regard to a satisfactory settlement with Mr Parks, whose horse has been missing since the return of the “ specials ” from Auckland. At the last, meeting of the branch it was decided that the president of the branch interview Mr Parks.and endeavour to arrive at a satisfactory settlement. Word was received from the president that he had been unable to obtain an interview..

It was proposed that a meeting be arranged between the president of the branch, Mr Parks, and his lawyer. The chairman advocated getting the matter cleared up. If a conference could be arranged so much the better. After some discussion it was decided to adopt the proposal. ■ RURAL MAIL DELIVERY.

The secretary, who had been instructed to obtain information regarding rural mail delivery, stated the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce had been moving in the matter, and he had been enabled to get information from the secretary of the Chamber. A circular dealing with the matter had been received, and he would endeavour to let members have it when available. ROAD GRANT, KAKEPUKU.

The secretary stated he had received no reply to his inquiry re the spending of the grant. The chairman said a start had been made with the work. In his opinion-several grants were required.

EXTERMINATION OF RABBITS. A lot of discussion ensued in regard to the manner in which the inspector carries out his duties in reference to the destruction of rabbits. . The chairman said what they want to consider was the congestion of areas, and endeavour to get members to combine and poison together. Mr Corboy, in alluding to a case against him by the inspector, said he might have got law, but he did not get justice, and he did not think that according to the weight of evidence he should have been convicted. He related the methods employed by him in suppressing rabbits, and also produced receipts of money paid for work done on his farm by inspectors during the last three or four years. In his opinion it was of no use producing evidence of work done. The chairman said that everyone should be treated ahke. Mr Finley said it was a question they should be careful about. They did not want to be up against the inspector. He thought they should approach the inspector and ask him to see that all were treated alike, and to do the district systematically. He moved that the inspectors be written to stating that a great many farms have been overlooked, and suggesting that a systematic inspection be made. His experience was that if a systematic plan was adopted the rabbits could be destroyed. On being put to the meeting the motion was carried.

Mr Corboy proposed that the secretary write to Mr J. A. Young, M.P., to endeavour to get a return of what it cost the Government in wages and rabbit inspectors’ salaries for the past year in the Waikato districts. This was seconded by Mr Mills and carried* Provincial conference.

A letter was read from Mr Schmidt, Auckland, stating that a proposition was before the Provincial Executive that in future the Provincial Conference be held in country districts. It was asked that the matter be placed before the members with a view to obtaining their opinion on the matter. After some discussion it was decided to recommend that the future conferences be held in Auckland. \ PHOSPHATE. Attention was drawn by the secretary to the recent excessive charges imposed by merchants on pholphate. He thought they should lake some action in the matter. \ The price had been suddenlylraised from £3 8s to £3 15s. On\he motion of the secretary it was decided to write to tho various branches of the Union w the price o%>hosphate. /