THE FARMERS' UNION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1347, 26 January 1912, Page 8

THE FARMERS' UNION.

WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL EXKcniuvi-;. (From Our o\ni Correspondent.) Palmcrston North, January 25. A meeting of the Farmers' I'liion Wellington I'rnvincitil Executive was hold toilnv at Palmerston North. The president. Sir. J. G. Wilson, presided, and there were also present: ?iiessrs; W. •'. Birch, Marton; T. Moss and \V. B. Slalheson, Eketalnma; ,t. TI. Escott, M.l'., Woodville; J. Morrison, Hulcombe; H. A. Nevins, Tenui; E. Campbell, Wanganui; K. W. Dalrymple, Bulls; Captain Hewitt aud .r. Balsillie, Palmerston North. The president referred to the death of Mr. S. Carman, who had been an active member of the executive for some years, and had done valuable work for I lie Tanners' Union. Ho moved that, the executive desires to express the sincere sympathy of (ho union with the family of Ihe late Sir. S. Carman, who did such good work for the union, as well as other public work, and wish to record their great sense of loss in his death.

Correspondence was read from the Minister for Agriculture acknowledging (ho union's suggestion re the Seeds Hale Control-Bill, and stating that the provisions of the Bill were being carefully gone into. Railways and the Farmer, A letter was received from the Minister for Railways in reply to a request for additional trucking facilities for fat, stock, especially lambs, stating that the Deportment is annually increasing the number of wagons to meet the traffic, and that from April 1, 1901), to September lfi, UUI, 207 wagons had been added, and at present 112 new wagons were on order. The Department was doing all it possibly could with the funds available to meet the requirements of the traffic. Mr. Hoolh referred to the inconvenience caused by not being able to find out if trucks, after being ordered, were going to be available. An owner had ordered trucks on a Friday to be at the station on Monday, and no word could bo obtained if they were likely to be there or not, and the,farmer drove his lambs in this case to the station, to find that there were no trucks available. He moved that the Department be requested to notify owners when trucks are ordered if unobtainable for the day required. The motion was carried. Wool Damaged on the Railways. Mr. Covins referred to the serious loss caused to farmers by wool getting wet on the railways, and it was resolved:—"That the attention of the Minister be called to the large amount of wet wool on the railway trucks arriving in 'Wellington, caused by the absence of, or defects in, the tarpaulins." The Wanganni Education Board wrote thanking the union for tho donation for rural scholarships, and also forwarded a list of the successful candidates. The provincial secretary of tho Hawke's Hay Executive forwarded a scale of auctioneers' charges for stock in that province. This was referred to the I'almerston North branch. It was decided to accedo to Wanganni and Martinborough's application lor the services of the organiser. Tho date for holding the annual provincial conference was fixed for Tuesday, May 28, at Palmerston North. The annual provincial levy was fixed at Gs. per member.

FARMERS' DEFENCE COMMITTEE. FARM LABOURERS' DEMANDS. A meeting of the Farmers' Uuion Defence Committee was also held to-day, Mr. J. G. AAMlson occupying the chair. The Director of the l'almerstoH Technical School forwarded a report of the shcep-shenring classes held at tho A. and I'. grounds, stating that they were in every way a.success. The Wauganui Education Board wrote that they hoped to start the sheep-shearing classes shortly. The chairman reported on tho farm labourers' demands in Canterbury, and the Arbitration Court's decision thereon. A resolution was passed opposing any award being granted for farm labourers in accordance with the demands made, and "That this executive considers that to have to work farms under an award would be a disastrous blow to the country's productiveness, and would seriously restrict "employment." Mr. Nevins referred to the strike clause in the agreement entered into by tho wooibrokers and buyers, and pointed out that the party with the biggest interest, viz., the woolgrower, had not been consulted in the matter. After discussion it was resolved that this executive strongly protests against the strike clause in the agreement entered into by the wooibrokers and buyers, and the executive consider, as the shceppwners have representative bodies in all tho provinces, that no such agreement should be completed without the farmers being party to it. A largo amount, of routino business was transacted, and the meeting adjourned. FARMERS' FIRE ASSURANCE. LOADING ON WOOLSHEDS, ETC., REDUCED. ■ A meeting of the directors of tho Wellington Farmers' Union Mutual Firo Assurance Association was held to-day, Captain Hewitt being in the chair. There were also present Messrs. J. Balsillie, \Y. J. Birch, It. A. Nevins, J. G. Wilson, .Tolui Morrison, and R. B. M'Kenzie. Satisfactory reports of the progress of the association were received, and it was stated that increased risks wore, being | sent in by farmers generally. The chairman reported on the two claims paid for fire losses since last meeting,, viz.—.filSO and .I'L'.l!). These, with a small claim for ,£n, constituted the total losses since March lasl. The amount on fixed deposit had been renewed, and a further amount would soon be available for deposit-. It was decided that where suitable security is offered, the association lend small sums to insurers on first mortgage. Tho proposals received for the past four months amounted to .£10,700, whilst the total insurances in force totalled .£183,000. D was dncided to reduce the loading rate on woolsheds, cow-byres, etc.. where oil or steam power is used, ami arrangements were decided on to accept grain and stack risks. A large number of proposals for insurance..were approved, including Hiret butter and cheese factories, and satisfaction was expressed by Ihe directors with the support and interest; shown the Farmers' Mutual by the farmers generally.