N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13893, 19 October 1918, Page 8

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

[We will be pleased to receive reports of branch meetings as early as possible for publication in this column on Saturdays.—Ed., W.T.] HAMILTON SUB-PROVINCIAL AREA. HUNTLY WEST BRANCH. An ordinary meeting of the Huntly West branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held in the Union Hall on October 12th. Mr J. H. Furniss, who is unable to attend meetings owing to an accident, sent in his resignation as secretary. However, it was decided to hold the matter over until Mr Furniss can again personally 'attend the meetings, when it is thought he might retain the position. There was some discussion about the proposed route of the new branch railway to Waikokowai. Tt is desired to net the route that will be the greatest benefit to the district, and at the same time tap the coal-bearing area to the best advantage. It was finally decided to ask Mr Bollard, M.P. to visit the district, and two of the members. Messrs Broughton and Whitaker, will show him over the ground. The alteration of the date of the Hamilton Racing Club's race meeting from February 22nd to March Ist, has been approved by the Racing Conference. TE AWAMUTU SUB-PROVINCIAL AREA. At the last meeting of the Executive Committee of the. above (Mr W. H. Wynyanl in the chair), the secretary Mr Clifton) submitted a statement showing the financial position. This showed a probable deficit at the close of the year. The shortage was to some extent due to many subscriptions being withheld. There arc 230 unf'maneial members. Mr Clifton said the indifference of members was most discouraging. It was wrong from every point of reasoning that a secretary should he required to everlastingly canvass for subscriptions, but a great deal of the secretarial duty was wasted in this fashion. Members had been circularised that subscriptions were due, and some had paid, but ttie remainder made no response. When interviewed they gave all manner of excuses. These members did not seem to appreciate the fact that no secretary can carry on the work without funds, nor can the staff fulfil the more necessary advocacy of the farmers' interests when required to devote so much time to the collection of subscriptions. Any farmer could realise the hopelessness of collecting from 230 members, widely scattered in all parts of the district, when at nearly every place he called lie received some flimsy excuse, only having to call again. The thing seemed never ending, and it would be so until the unfinancial member realised bis duty lo the Union and his responsibility to bis neighbour who had paid, to remove an unnecessary and unpleasant secretarial duty.

Mr Wynyard said als*) that there was a lack of recognition by the fanners of their own Union, and the position seemed to he inevitable. A loss threatened, and retrenchment seemed the only alternative, but how best to secure that end was a difficult problem. The meeting considered in detail the expenditure, the suggestion being put forward that the Institute should he closed; hut on further investigation, it was found that this course would not not materially affect the position. A further suggestion was made that only financial members should be permitted the use of (he Institute. It was stated that some wliu refused to be-

come members, or who delayed the payment of subscriptions, freely availed themselves of the privileges it afforded. This phase will be laid before the executive for consideration. Mr Clifton suggested that an alternative to g financial debit would be to dispense with his services, leaving the office in charge of the young lady clerk. Hut to this suggestion the meeting was not favourable, regarding it as inexpedient to dispense with the

direction in the farmers' interests which Mr Clifton could give. It was agreed to refer the question to the executive at the next meeting for consideration and action which is imperative. TE KOWHAI. Farmers' Club Meeting. The monthly meeting of the Te Kowhai Farmers' Club was held on Wednesday, Mr S. Fullerton presiding. The, meeting was called for the purpose of dealing with the roading question, and three of the Waipa county councillors, Messrs D. Fullerton, A. il. Ellicott and A. Livingstone, were present by invitation. The matter was thoroughly thrashed out, and it was ultimately decided to call a meeting of ratepayers, when the advisability of raising a £20,000 loan to metal the roads will be considered. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Messrs I). Fullerton, A. Livingstone and A. 11. Ellicott for their attendance and support. Messrs W. Middlemiss, IL MeClymont and A. F. Porritt were elect'-d members of the Cub. OTOROHANOA BRANCH.

At a meeting of the Otorohanga branch of the Farmers' Union strong resentment was expressed at state- I ments made by Mr John Budge at a re- j cent sitting of the Military Appeal Board at Te Awamutu. Mr Budge was , reported to have said that Hindus were ' 'given preference over returned soldiers and that farmers were not playing the game. The chairman, Mr C. G. Murphy, said the district had consistently supported every patriotic effort, and in the recent carnival subscribed 50s per head, exceeding Mr Bickford's suggested con-1 be required to do, the rough drainage tribution by 70 per cent. Returned ! soldiers could not do, and should not be required to do the rough drainage works that the few Hindoos employed in the district did. He challenged any district to show a bigger percentage of m.\n volunteering for the front. A motion was carried emphatically protesting against the statements made by Mr Budge, the resolution recording that they were both unwarranted and untrue. THAMES VALLEY SUB-PROVIN-CIAL DISTRICT. MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. At the monthly meeting of the executive of the Thames Valley Sul>-pro-vincial District, Mr J. B. Thomas occupied the chair. The organiser reported as follows: Since the last meeting I have visited many of the branch's monthly meetings. Wo have also succeeded in forma branch at WharojK>a. Two meetings re good roads movement were held at Morrinsville and Te Aroha. 1 attended the conference in Auckland of wool-growers, brokers and others interested in this question. The result is yet to he seen, but it was generally conceded that the agreement, re sale of wool, was loosely drawn. No provision was made for seedy wool, the term "average pre-war price" lx'ing used, which in many eases brings the seedy wool down to 2d per pound as against 5d and 7d pre-war price. The [mnerial representatives gave us a fair and friendly hearing, and admitted the question should he opened. Unfortunately, the chief sufferers are the neu back-block settlers. In regard to the land department, I have succeeded in selling one farm at Walton, upon which we only half commission. We will not he able to do a great deal in this department this year except get ready for the next selling season.

Mr E. C. Banks, who was out in the field as. ii candidate for the Ko'.orua electorate, was present, and placed some of his views before the meeting. He strongly advocated improvement of the present educational system, contending that more provision shou.d he made for agricultural education; lie advocated the adoption of the \ icteria loading system; he defended the farm, er in connection with the ineroises of price, pointing nut that whilst the tanner got 5d a 11) more for his wool liis wife had to pay a very much larger proportionate sum for wool for 1. nitting. The same applied to leather, the biggest profiteer was the shipping company. He spoke strongly in favour of ro.operation. He condemned the present political railway construction contending it was opposed to economy and expedition. He advoeued that the Government should buy up good unimproved land for returned soldiers, then put on the soldiers from gangs of ten under an experienced farmer and pay them wages. When broken in the returned soldiers could ballot amongst themselves for the land. Mr Hanks was accorded a vote of thanks for his address.

A resolution from the provincial executive that the Government should either purchase or have built ships to he owned by the Government in the interests of the people of this Dominion was approved. The executive were not prepared to support the request of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society that farmers should offer (id a head for dead hawks. In reference to declaring the North

Auckland district nn affected area for cattle ticks the motion was carried that if Dr. Reakes considered it desirable precaution should he taken. The proposal of the Dominion executive of the adoption of a universal basis of subscription for the Dominion on a graduated scale computed according to the unimproved valuation of the land farmed by each member was referred to the branches for further consideration. Information was received in reference to the proposed cut to divert the water of the \\ aihou river at the Waimarie bend that the Government had no intention at present of making the cut.

It was resolved to request the Government to give reasons for refusing to grant the application of returned soldiers to acquire a block of land.

A remit from the Kerepehi branch that it considered the Government had tailed to realise the importance of the matter of dealing with the settlement of returned soldiers and views with concern the lack of sympathy display, ed by the Department was considered, and it was decided that a resolution be forwarded desiring the Government to show a more active policy in land settlement generally. Tlie request of the Kaipara Subprovincial District to the Government to make a soil survey of the Dominion was endorsed.

A remit from the same district that they viewed with disfavour the private dealings among the stall's of the auctioneering companies, and suggest to the management of the auctioneering companies that they should take steps to remove this evil, was endorsed. The Kaipara Executive übked the support of the meeting a remit bringing before the Government the matter ol the constantly increasing price ami the difficulty of securing fencing wire and nianures of all kind and other requisites necessary for the farmer, which will before long certainly affect the country's output id' food stuffs.— Approval was granted subject to the resolution being regarded as a war measure.

It was decided to support the application of the Brookfield. Springdale and Waitoa blanches for an extension of the hours at the Waitoa exchange to 8 to 8.

There was a lengthy discussion over the matter of the price New Zealand dairy farmers were to receive for their produce. A portion of the correspondence between the Hon. AY. F Massey and Mr Ellison, London representative of the National Dairy Association had been received, but were considered too lengthy to read. Mr Hansen, in summarising the correspondence, said KUd per lb had been offered lor the New Zealand output of cheese, but .Mr Massey had offered the output to the authorities for ll)d\ and butter 1725. This offer had been refused. The offer had been made without consulting Mr Ellison, who was watching the farmers' inter-

ests. The farmers asked 105s 8d for cheese, which was an equivalent price to that paid to Canada. If thought desirable a special meeting is to be held to consider the correspondence.