N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13511, 18 June 1917, Page 3

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

ITE AWAMUTU EXECUTIVE. At the fortnightly meeting of the exeooti.-e of the Te Awainutu SubPiovi.eial District there was a large attendance of delegates. Mr H. Mandcno presided over the first portion of the proceedings. A deputation was received from the Te Awamutu Borough Cojncll regarding the setting up of a local committee of the War Relief Association, and it i v,a o te. i\d that the faimers should he r prcsonUd thereon.—The Executive ,eli in with the i.'e.v and appointed the president to represent them. Mr F. F. Hockley tendered his lesignation as president as he considered that the interests of the union would be lest conserved by the appointment of a president who would be in constant touch with the Executive. The resignation was accepted with regret, and appreciation expressed of Mr Hockley's past' services, Mr.J. G. Wynyard was then elected president. The resignations of ce:tain members of the Mangapiko branch were acc.pted, regret being expressed that personal feelings should be allowed to jeopardise the existence of the branch. It was decided to write to the Minister for Education urging the appointment of a teacher for the Maihiihi school, which the settlers had erected at their own expense. A committee was set up to consider the advisability of establishing a rest house for farmers and their families in Te Awamutu. The Executive deeded to take out a land agent's license in the name of the president. A remit from the Pukeatua branch urged that the State s!:ould establish lime works and appoint experts td report as to suitable deposits and provide st mates at to the cost of such works. It was decided to n for the matter to the Provincial Executive, it being recognised that the proposal was a most important one. <>, A lengthy discussion took place on the question of auctioneers' commissions, it being reported that an effort to aftrange a conference between the Cambridge Club and the Waikato and Te Awamutu Executives had not been successful. Members we eof opinion that the concession granted at WestHeld was of little practical value to the majority of faimers, and the president lie ieved there was only one solution of the difficulty—the lames must conduct the business themsehes. It was resolved to institute inquiiies as to the registration of the Executive under the Incorporated Societies' Act. Regarding the farmers' book-keeping scheme, it was reported that the members were not taking up the matter very enthusiastically, only 33 having been enrolled. It was poi'.ted out that the proposition was one of the soundest that could be ottered to members, and the delegates were, urged to again bring the matter pointedly before the b: anc!i memb rs.

ROTOTUNA BRANCH.

A meeting of the Rototuna branch of th« Farmers' Union was he'd on Tuesday evening last, th - president (Mr F. W. Thomas) being in the chair. At the conclusion o, business Mr L H. King, organising s Cretan- to the union, in a most interesting address, gave an account of his st wardship since taking office, and advancing many suggestions which should be of value to the Union. The speaker, in drawing a comparison between the auctioneering companies in the- South Island and Waikato, said that in the South auctioneers were satisfied with 2£ per cent of a commission, whereas Wa kato farmers had to pay 5 per cent. Mr King went on to explain that by the time the average fat bullock was'on the hooks 42 per cent of its value had been paid away in commission, it having passed through -so Jtt*rijtr sates; 4TncT ■<£- 42 per cent: » The "speaker.; contended •that c*nl \tas.i«mpfe commission onjtgny a*d t; at arf-angemertts were being made Wherebv tsie ! commission would be lowered.* If this becomes an accomplished faet"the farmers should realise the Union was doing good work. Mr King did not think the Union should take a too active part in polotics, seeing that thee is such a difference of op nion among members; but such questions as taxation and land legislation might be dealt with. At the conclusion of his address Mr King received a hearty vote of thanks. Messrs Haultain and McCabe were e'ected members. It was arranged that the Rototuna faimers and friends from surrounding districts should visit the Ruakura farm one day shortly.