N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 802, 27 April 1910, Page 8

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

' '.TAIHAPE BEANCHV. ■ . ; . The annual meeting of . the Taihape branch of the Fanner's' Union took place in the Gretna Hall. Taihape, last Saturday, when farmers were present from, To Kapu; Mataroa, Pukeokahii, Taoroa, Utiku. Buanui, and other localities. Mr. Davis, chairman' of tho branch, presided. After the balance-sheet and report had been read and adopted tho chairman called, on Mr. Fowler, provincial organiser, to 1 give an address. • - The organiser, in his opening remarks, said, that-.on account of the' importance of Taihape, .and which . showed every likelihood of continuing, it had been de- ' cided ,by the executive , of .the Farmers' Union to .make a change in the consti-. .tiition' of "tho- branch; Several smiill; branches; . which had : practically ceascd to exist on account , mainly of the limited membership and- the scattered residence of the farmers, were to be. amalgamated iiito one central .branch, thus forming a Ti'iihapa district' branch. ' .The speaker said that tho farmers upon whom, he had beau calling thoroughly approved the principle. Another most.necessary mat-, ter for .the 'importance of Taihape district was, that the services of a salaried secretary, having an office, in tho town, should be provided.. The committee 19 to be appointed, at next meeting. The organiser said by tho time he hail finished the district he hoped to leave them with a membership of over 100. Mr. Fowler, concluded his address by urging on the farmers to show a greater appreciation of. the importance' of their own union. lie hoped tho farmers of Tai- . hape would, sje ;from - nowj that trict branch '. shall be' bno of tho imdst" important and progressive in the Wei-1 lington Province. The election of officebearers then took place., Mr. J. H. Gilchrist, To Kppu, president; Mr.. E.' T. Battey, Moawnungo, vice-president;- "Mr. A. .It. Fannin,JPapakai Road, treasurer; Mr;. E.,8. ' Jennings', Hnx 48. Taihape; secretary. .The subscription -was fixed'at half a guinea.

EONGOTEA BRANCH. The annual meeting of tho Eongotea branch, of- the' Farmers' Union was held yesterday, .Mr;'H. Hunt iu the chair. * ''The' report-: and'' "balance-sheet: .which were adopted, showed the membership of the branch to be 57, und that there was a credit balance of..over £8. The following officers were elected:— ■ Chairman, Mr. 11. Hunt; vice-chairman, Mr. T. .Gifford; committee. Messrs. E. I". M'Kciizio.- J. Gloyn, S. M'Kenzie, J. Henson, G. Airey, J. Dalton. J. Lumsden, E. O'Neill, G.■. Phillips, and ;J.' Doughty; secretary, Mr. A. C. Perry; , auditor, Mr. C. H. Bowater. The annual subscription was fixed on a sliding fiealo, tlio minimum being 7s. arid Hio' maximum 30s oil the basis of valuation. . '. ' ■ .- .-■•■• The: following remit v,-as adopted for presentation to the. provincial conference at. Marton: ".That, while -farmers in general disapprove, of the way in which land' is. valued for/ taxes, 1 chiefly because' tjiu. unimproved , value."is. generally, .'.too high, and the'.vnlue of improvements'; too low, it' woi'ild'. not improve matters by taxing: buildings., and: improvements as well.as land; this coiferonce therefore protests against the,suggestion to make the.capital value Hie basis;of:valuation for all. land tax." .. ' Mr. E. B. M'Kenzio was appointed delegate to the provincial'conference. By the Maori yesterday mornine 128 of the stud sheep which' Mr. J. E. Davenport.has purchased'in the South Island were brought up for transhipment to tho Otaki for' Monte Video. Other lots of 'sheep are coming to hand from the North Island. . . : ■ .