FARMERS' UNION MEETING.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 818, 16 May 1910, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION MEETING.

MASTEBTON BEANCH. Tho annual meeting of the Masterton District Branch of the New. Zealand Farmers' Union was .held on Saturday afternoon (writes our correspondent). There was a fair-attendance, and Mr. W. J. Welch occupied the ohair. A letter was read from the secretary of the Shearers' Union, asking for a conference with the employers, and stating tho demands it was proposed to make. In view of the fact that the Conciliation Commissioner sits in Masterton this week, it was decided that no action lie taken. Mr. J. C. Cooper pointed out that it was proposed to establish a uniform rate for the whole of the Dominion. The employers in opposition to tho shearers' demand had decided to suggest 17s. and 15s. per hundred sheep. .■An appeal for support for tho official organ of the union elicited tho fact that no new members had been introduced to tho branch during the year. Mr. Win. Perry said that what was required was a larger number' of paying members. Mr. W. L. Falconer urged that more frequent meetings of the ■ branch were required. Farmers were not sufficiently alivo to their own interests: It was resolved to endeavour to secure better support for tho official organ. The annual report of tho branch, which was adopted, referred to the establishing of freeziDg works in tho district, the lowering of rates of insurance to farmers, and tho absence of labour troubles as affecting pastoral and agricultural interests. In speaking to tho report, Mr. Duncan M'Gregor, junr., expressed tho opinion that unless ■ farmers met together and discussed matters of national importance they could not expect to keep abreast of the times. Mr. J. C. M'Killop thought an effort should-be made to increase the membership. Messrs. G. R. Sykes, W. L. Falconer, and 6. B. Bruce also urged greater activity. Mr. W. L. Falconer was appointed delegate to the provincial conference, to be held in Marton on May 21. Tho annual subscription, including a levy of (is. for the executive, was fixed at 10s. Mr. J. C. Cooper expressed tho opinion that a great deal of good would bo achieved if the executive periodically advised farmers what the union was doing for 'them. Mr. J. C. M'Killop was unanimously elected president of the branch, and Mr. Joseph Morris vice-president. The committee, of last year was re-elected, with the addition of the names of Messrs. G. R. Sykes and J. Bourko. Mr. A\ T . M. Cole was ro-elected auditor, and Mr. Milno secretary. It was decided to recommend Mr.'.R. D. M'Kcnzio for appointment as delegate' for tho colonial conference. > A motion was passed in silence expressing the sense of great Joss sustained to the British nation in the death of King Edward.

Tho Ballance Dairy Company, Limited, paid to suppliers during the month of April, £4580. The price paid for butterfat was IO.UI. per lb., and fifty-three tons of butter was manufactured, being eight tons in excess'of the quantity made during tho same month last year. Tho shipment ex Coriuthic brought V29s. per cw& CEI fi?3 ffpiro''. market.