N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14050, 1 May 1919, Page 3

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

THAMES VALLEY SUB-PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. The executive meeting of the Thame? Valley Sub-Provincial Union was held on Thursday at Morrinsville. Financial Matters. An application from the provincial secretary for a list of financial members was the cause of a lengthy discussion, laken in committee, of the position of the various branches.—lt was decided to forward the information., The balance-sheet showed the expenditure to be; Working expenses £505 Is lOd, capital £305 7s 3d; whilst receipts were: subscriptions £467 14s 3d, transferred from trust account £IOO, sundries £o,—The organiser stated that the land department had earned £406 in commission.—The balancesheet was adopted. Farmers and Politics. There was considerable discussion on the matter of the Union entering politics, and from this a motion was passed | that the provincial executive be urged to set up a committee to formulate a Farmers’ Union platform for submission at the conference. Tailings In Creek. Mr C. Thomas mentioned the two batteries contemplated putting their tailings into the Hikutaia creek, which had never been proclaimed a sluice channel. This would ruin fhe creek.— ■ It was decided to wire away endorsing the protest as soon as intimation was received from the Hikutaia branch that it had been sent in. Remits. The meeting proceeded to go through the remits which will be presented at the forthcoming conference. Remits dealing with the reorganisation of the Union and the entry of the Union into politics were approved. The suggestion that branches must affiliate with sub-provincial districts was not supported. A series of lengthy remits on land settlement were generally approved. A suggestion that special boards be set up in each land district to prepare a detailed report on all unused lands and what form of settlement each was most suitable for was amended by the suggestion that the boards be constituted by local men. A proposal that land which is not brought into production after a certain term of years might be resumed by the Crown at the original price, plus 2i per cent, comnound interest, was considered a good idea: The removal of all protection from Californian quail and that the Government be asked to take immediate steps to eradicate the cattle tick menace, and at the Government’s expense, were approved. When a remit for the guarantiee fund for the purpose of offering rewards for conviction and expenses for prosecution in cases of sheep and cattle-stealing was reached, the chairman pointed out that under the present law no criminal charge could be laid against a person taking stock from a paddock unless he offered them for sale. He moved that the executive forward a remit to the Conference that the law in regard to the theft of stock be amended so as to place it on the same basis as the theft of property, which was carried. The chairman- moved a motion that the Government be urged to request the Imperial Government to remove the .embargo on the exportation of slag, which was carried.

NEWSTEAD 3RANCM. At the . annual meeting of the Newstead branch of the New Zealand farmers’ Union there was a fair attendance. The secretary read the report and balance-sheet. The report showed there were 21 members, all having naid their annual subscription. The amount of cash paid by members for coal was £O7 3s sd; benzine and kerosene, £283 12s 6d; sales of hides and skins, £lO4 4s 9d. It was proved that the branch saved its members over £4O. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £6 3s 2d. The chairman and others commented very favourably on the work done by the secretary, also the amount of interest he took in the branch. Mr. Mackav proposed and Mr. Thorpe seconded. “That a vote of thanks be accorded Mr. Runciman for work and time eriven the branch.” Mr. A. T. Davison was ‘'elected president for the ensuing vear; Mr. G. Lusby, vice-president: Mr. ' Runcimnn, secretary, and Mr. J. Mackay, delegate. ORDINARY MEETING. The monthly meeting was held after tho annual meeting, when remits were considered as follows:—Pat stock insurance: The meeting objected to the establishment of a fat stock insurance. Political platform: This was left for the delegate to deal with. t The main, road from Newstead to Hamilton came in for much criticism. It was pointed chit that very little had been done to the road for the last six months, and that when wet weather set in it would most likely be in a very tad state.—A denutation was appointed to wait upon the Road Board at its next meeting. The annual subscription was fixed at .£l. It was nroved that there were some in the district who would join at 20s. but would not pay more, -r Tho meeting considered numbers were wanted, and that it was wise to haw all farmers in the district members at £1 than only a portion at 30s. and some of these not intending to pay their subscription.s