N.Z. FARHJER'S UNION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1749, 14 May 1913, Page 8

N.Z. FARHJER'S UNION.

MAKURI BRANCH. At the annual meeting of the Makuri Branch of tho • Farmers' Union, Mr. Thomas Whitta occupied the chair. There was a fair attendance of members. Tho balance-sheet showed the union to be in a healthy position, and tho report gave tho number of members at the same as last year. The following ofliccrs were elected: -Chairman, Mr. W. E. C. -Tyler; vicechairman, Mr. Thomas Whitta; auditor, Mr. Thomas AVilson; secretary and delegate. Mr. W. J. Moore; committee, Messrs. R. Wilson, J. Diamond, C. Jennings, C. I'arsons, A. G. R. Crawford, J. W. Perry, C. Gardner, W. Conway, and F. Rhodes.

Press controversy is in progress in Perth between Mr. Dow, 'the Colonial Secretary, and the newspaper critics respecting the financial results of the Stato steamships purchased by the Scaddan Government without Parliamentary sanction, with tho avowed view of reducing meat prices by bringing cattle from tho north-west for small squatters. The design (states the "Sydney Telegraph") seems not to have been successful. Meat is as dear as ever it was. The stcjuiiprs have been employed carrying jarrah to Xciv Zealand, manures to the eastern States, and in coastal transfers of stock for West Australian squatters. At tho annual provincial conference of the Sounds farmers' Union, the following resolution -was adopted with' reference to the South Island Main Trunk line: "That from a national point of view, as well as from its colonial importance, this conference enters a strong protest against sucli an important lino bemg regarded as secondary to any line at present under construction. Wo also recognise that the delay in completing the lino'is n serious drawback to the sheep-farmers of Marlborough, who look upon Canterbury as tho main outlet for their surplus stock." Messrs. Hitchings, Hankins, and Co., Ltd., have received instructions from the Otalci Maori liaeiug Club to 'sell the Kace Club privileges at the club's olficcs, Otaki, on May IG, at 11.15 a.m. Messrs. Dunn and Kawson, Masfcrton, have I!SGS acres of freehold land for sale, situated 22 miles from Masterton. The Uawlcc's Bay County Council has appointed a committee to join n conference of delegates from local bodies to. consider the advisability of constructing a light railway irew Hastiues or Napier to Putatitiri, '