FARMERS' UNION.

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1418, 20 October 1923, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

THE OTOROHANGA BRANCH. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Otorohanga Farmers' Union was held yesterday. Present, Messrs C. G Murphy (chairman), Rogers, Gowern, A. Closey, Bluck, B. Budden, F. McPhee and M. Cowley. Mr Cowern reported that he understood that the Department had decided to allow any solicitor practising in a town to act for the Advances to Settlers Office. This would obviate the necessity of a special solicitor being appointed to Otorohanga. Hospital Rat«fe. On the motion of the chairman it was resolved that a special committee consisting of Messrs Budden, F. McPhee and A. Closey be appointed to wait on the other local bodies to ask for concerted action to be taktn to protest against the proposed rating of Otorohanga town and county in regard to a hospital at Te Kuiti. Mr Budden drew attention to the large amount for hospital fees contemplated by the Hospital Board to write off, and said he thought the Board should be pressed to make a proper effort to collect these fees — rather than 'look to the local bodies to collect same. There were people who could pay but would not. These should be forced to pay. He thought that the committee appointed in regard to the Te Kuiti hospital rate ought to bring the subject before the local kindred bodies and furher that the secretary should write to the Hospital Board urging it to make an effort to collect the outstanding fees. Mr Budden moved to that effect, and Mr Rogers seconded. Mr McPhee thought the motion was premature and that Parliament should be approached to alter the system of taxation with regard to the hospitals. He moved as an amendment that the matter be held over for further information. The amendment was put and carried.