CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' UNION

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 7004, 8 May 1906, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' UNION

The annual meeting of the above club was held last evening, there being present:—The Presideut (Mr W. N. Sturger), the vice-president (Mr M. Butler), Messrs J. Fisher, R. Fisher, W. Tucker, C. J. Potts, E. Allen, A. Nairn, W. Gray, J. Gane, F. J. Brooks, G. E. Clark, J. Forrest, E. J. Wilkinson, T. Hartly, T. Wells and W. Gray. Report,— The following report was submitted :—Notwithstanding the lack of interest shown by the members in the work of the Club during the year, some very important questions have been deilt with and good work done. The following questions have received careful consideration by the Club, and action taken to carry out the wishes of the members in each case:—Land commission, improvement of the railway weigh bridges, the location of a veterinary surgeon in the district, horse parade, root show, representations regarding indigent Sanatorium patients, agricultural education, cattle sales, transit of stock, the Slaughtering Act, saleyard accommodation, customs duty on machinery, agricultural experiments, RotoruaGisborne road, auctioneer's commissions, freight on live stock, fire and accident insurinsurance, nittogen cultures', exporting colonial pork, chaff and grain sacks, endowments for agricultural education, identification of plants, freight on fencing wire, and other matte: that have been incidentally introduced. Members will at once recognise that these are all matters of considerable interest to the farming and agritulturaVcommunity, and affect the general welfare of the whole district. The year has been an eventful one for the Club inasmuch as it has been reconstituted by the severance of the branches, and has reverted to the lines upon which it was organised more than',2o years ago. It is on all hands admitted that the change is a good both for the Club and the branches that are row formod into units of the New Zealand Farmers' Union; and there is no reason why mutual support should not be given in carrying out any object of general good for the district. The Waikato Farmers' Club has always been recognised as a useful and influential organisation, and I trust some means will be devised to revive the interest in its operations and further its usefulness. Before closing my report, I would once again urge upon the farming community of the Waikato, the great necessity that exists for combination and co - operation. We have abundant evidence that where farmers unite together to protect and conserve their own interosts, success almost invariably fellows. Take for instance the question of fire insurance. Dunedin has started co-operative fire insuranoe, and last year business resulted in an income of £BO,OOO, with a loss by fire of £B, and expenses not more than jEIOP. The Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company promises to be a thoroughly successful organisation, and to be of immense benefit to the farming community. Numerous other chambers open up for co-operation and combinati >n, and I trust the time i 3 not far distant when the farming community of the Colony will thoroughly master the secret of combination, and thus be able to combat the exploiters of our commodities and secure for themselves the full advantage of their labours.— In moving the adoption of the report the President reported to the want of combination and co-operation among farmers. Why farmers showed so much inditl'erence and were so lax in such important matters, it was difficult to eav. Thoy laid themselves open to be exploited in every branch of their industries, a recent instance that had occurred locally being quoted in support. He regretted to notice by the balance sheet that there were outstanding subscriptions amounting to i; 35, and urged the necessity of payment being enforced.— Mr M. Butler seconded the motion for adoption, which was carried, Finance.—Mr Prooks (treasurer) congratulated the club on the improved state ot the finances. He submitted the statement of the property account.—The statement of accounts showed a credit balance of 13s Od, while the statement of assets and liabilities showed a balance of assets over liabilities of £ll 2s 3d.—The statement was adopted.

General Matt :ks. —Mr Jas. Forrest said that he was about to re-visit the Old Country, but before doing so, lie would like to express himself on several points. He defined the liiie of demarcation that, in his opinion, had made the Club, a* a branch of the Union, purely and simply a political organisation, which had slowly but surely been killing it. He deplored the Club's inactivity in regard to mutual fire insurance for farmers, and also considered that that the principle of payment for chaff sacks should have been insisted on. He touched on the subject of tariffs being for revenue only, ard moved . " That, in consideration of the labour unions receiving so much protection, it is reasonable the farmers should receive a fair share also ; and that the matter be referred to the newly elected President, vice president, Mr Sturges and the mover to report upon."—Mr E. Allen seconded the resolution, which was carried. - Mr Forrest, continuing, advocated State butchers' shops. The personnel of assessment cou'ts also formed the ground of complaint during some pointed remarks by the same speaker.—Mr Well? said farmers did not pull together as they ought to do. It was votes that counted and the organisations that were united on j voting power supplied the key to legislative mysterious. Farmers have not yet realised the power of combination. i

Notice ok Motion.—The President's motion that the Cambridge Farmers' Club merge itself into the Waikato Central A. and P. Association was advorioly discussed, aud eventually withdrawn.

The Ft tube,—Mr E.Fisher proposed, and Mr Potts seconded, " That the executive meet for tlio purpose of making suggestions ru a programme for the ensuing year."—Carried. Election iif Oi in Kits. —The following wore elected : -President, Mr Martin Hullo r ; vice president, Mr C .1. I'otts. 1 hanks. —A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the outgoing officers.

Lecture, —Mr Hattrick, Australasian representative of the Potash Syndicate. gave an address on the Bubject of " Uinta on the purchase of CouarriHicial Fertilizers,' which proved both interesting and useful.