FARMERS' UNION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 6907, 18 July 1901, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

* Meeting of the Masterton branch. A meeting of the Mastcrlon Iminch of the New Zealand Fuvnicrs' Union wik hold in the Foresters' Hull yesterday afternoon. Mr J, K. Illndc was voted to the chair, ami there were sonic fifty persons present. For the benefit of persons who were not present at the previous meeting, Mr Glass, organising secretary, briefly explained the objects of the Union. He emphatically upheld his previous statement that he was the sole organiser, and denied that the Auckland opposition members hud anything to do with organising it. There were several clauses in the platform of the Union which would be thrown out at the conference next week at I'ahucrston North. The platform would be altered to suit the several districts, Auckland had decided on their's and now Taranaki, Hawkc's Day and the Wellington districts were to arrange theirs, Mr Glass considered it was unfair for the Premier and his party to attack their platform when it had not been definitely settled. The Union had never introduced politics and he did not sec why the Premier wanted to do so. They eorhl do better without them. They would be alright if the Premier left them alone. It was stated lit Piihintim by Jlv O'Mcara, M.1L1!,, that three conservative members organised the Union, but that wts a deliberate lie, and Mr Glass read telegrams which he had received and which upheld his statements. They had no intention ol introducing political business, and dclidedjy objected to the Premier bringing in political matters. The clauses which Mr Glass thought would bo struck out by the Conference were those dealing with Crown Lands and Native Lands, He had never interfered with the Government or politics j the only tinio was at laranuki and Danncvirkc, where he dc fended the valuation question for the settlers, .Since then he had been attacked on every side. The election of officers was then pro cccded with, and resulted as follows :- President, Mr J, Haynor; Secretary Mr G. Sykcs; Committee, Messrs E Robicson, J. Colway, ]), McLitchlnn, J Bannister, C. C. Jackson, J. Burke, E McKcnzic, It. E. Blade, J. C. McKillop E. M, Bannister, J. Cottle, W. J. Welch J. Welch, It. Cameron, Laing, Wall am 11. Williams. Mr Sj'kcs was also appointed Trca surer, Mr W. J. Welch was elected the dele jatc to attend the conference in Pal merstou, and the President stated hi: intention of going as an honorary dele gate. A hearty vote of thanks was accordci Mr Robicson for services whilst acting a kierim secretary, A number of new members were en rolled in the room.