N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17687, 16 April 1929, Page 10

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

MORRINSVILLE BRANCH. WELL ATTENDED MEETING. I At a well-attended meeting of the Morrinsville branch of the Farmers’ Union, the president, Mr G. 11. Pirrit, presided. Letters received from Drs. Annett, Neil and Manning, and Mr W. Dempster offering to address members on agricultural questions if invited to do so, were discussed by the members, and the chairman thought it would be bes! to have a. public meeting, open to all, at any early date, as the addresses would be of general interest. Mr Topham proposed that the meeting be held on Wednesday, April 24. The matter was left in the hands of a committee to arrange.

Mr Barrowclough referred to a letter from the Motor Transport Advisory Council, and explained the position as it affected the farmers. It was resolved to write to the Farmers’ Union Executive and say that the Morrinsville Union would agree to any movement in the direction they thought advisable, and also suggest that two farmers be included on the Advisory Council.

Mr Feissts’ letter re inviting Mr Poison to form a women’s branch of the Farmers’ Union in Morrinsville was discussed, and Messrs' Ferguson, Barrowclough, and Seifert were appointed a committee to furnish further information to the Union. Mr Leeson suggested that the Morrinsville branch pay the expenses o' the hall and advertising the meeting, for the purpose of forwarding (hi movement, a suggestion that was unan.mously agree.l to.

New Members. Messrs Brinkworth and Reynold were elected members of the Union. An invitation from the Tc Awumutu Branch of the Farmers’ Union to attend a social on Friday, Aprii 19, was accepted with thanks. • It was resolved to hold the annual smoke concert on Saturday, June 22, last year’s committee, consisting of Messrs B. J. Pirrit, Philpolt, 11. Howie, Thompson, G. 11. Pirrit and J. Allen to make the necessary arrangements.

Remits. Mr Allen moved that the following remit be sent to the conference: — That no canvassers be sent out to any district without consulting the local branch concerned. —Carried. That the Farmers’ paper accept no advertisements for proprietary stock medicines until they are approved by the Union. —Carried.

Mr Barrowclough in referring to this question, said that there was already legislation on the matter in Canada, which might be useful and interesting to farmers, and he suggested that the secretary write and get the information from Canada. The chairman said the information would be very valuable to farmers.

Rates on Imported Timber

Mr Leeson pointed out the injustice to country people of the imposition of the import duty and increased railway charges on imported timber, and urging that the Conference protest against the same. Mr Johnstone, in seconding the motion, suggested that all stock fords be included, and that the Railway should impose no prohibitive charge on any imported goods whatever. This was agreed to by members.

Cream Testers. Mr Barrowclough suggested that tc ensure a greater uniformity in tests, all testing officers should be under Government control. The different Dairy Companies would pay expenses as now, but the officials should be in the employ of the Government. Mr Leeson pointed out the imanj difficulties in carrying out such a scheme. Check graders were already employed by the Government and wen giving general satisfaction to the suppliers and the Dairy Companies. J 1 would increase the cost considerably if all the small Dairy Companies had to have a Government appointed tester.

After discussing the question at length, it was considered not advisable to move in the matter.

Weekly Half-Holiday,

Mr Topham referred to the halfholiday question, and stated that there was no doubt that Saturday was the most suitable day to have the shops open, and the farmers were not in favour of having it as the half-holiday. Mr Johnstone pointed out that it was for the farmers to fix the day and not the shop-keepers. The children and the working people received their half-holiday on Saturday, and found it very inconvenient not being able to do their shopping then. The surrounding places had gone back to Saturday being open, and it would Ik very foolish for Morrinsville not to do the same.

• Mr Leeson said that there were two parlies to consider in this question, the buyers of goods and the sellers. The buyers were in Ihe majority, and they should let the shop-keepers know their opinion. Saturday was certainly the most, convenient day for country people to do their shopping, and lie spoke strongly in favour or the shops being open all day on Saturday. If business people wanted to do business they should try and accommjjrlatc their customers. It would be a bad thing for the town, as well as the country, if Saturday was fixed upon as the half-holiday, as in all probability business people from other towns would send lorries with goods round to the country people and lake away much of the shop-keepers’ business. Mr Johnstone moved that the branch strongly objects to Mr Lye’s proposed bill providing lor a compulsory halfholiday for shops, as being uncalled for and an unwarranted interference with the liberty of the people, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to Messrs Samuel, MacMillan and Lye, M’s.P. The motion was carried.

Delegate to Conference. Mr Barrowclough was appointed delegate to the annual conference. Failing his being able to attend Mr Philpott, who represented the union last year, is to lake his place. Mr Johnstone’s motion that this branch of the Farmers’ Union reiterates its opposition to any interference with standard time was carried, Mr Allen being the sole objector.