THE OTAGO FARMERS' UNION

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2168, 5 June 1914, Page 10

THE OTAGO FARMERS' UNION

AGRICULTURAL BOARD. THE METHOD OF NOMINATION. (B7'T«l«jrr«pli.-Pr«M Allocation.) ''•'•'' • Dur.edin, June 4. J he annual meeting of the Otago Provincial Council, of the Farmers' Union was held to-day; Mr. D. M. Philip presiding. . .' In moving the adoption of the report aim balance-sheet, tho chairman said that the year, on the whole, had been a very successful 0110. Dealing with tho Board of Agriculture ,he iaid that ho did not altogether approve of the manner of election to the board by A. and P. Associations. Ho thought'that elections would be better made through the Farmers' Union. A large yercentngo ot members of A. and P. Associations were business people, and the nominations were apt to be more influenced by a maii's popularity v.an bv his qualifications. On the other hand, if the' elections wore made by. the fanners' unions, every farmer would Ji'ivc a vote in the matter on joiuing a union. . The report and balance-sheet Were adopted. ' Mr. Jas. Begg (CJinton) was elected. president for the, ensuing' year, 'rind M:. R. M'Xcnzie (Pahherston) vjeeprosidont. The president and Mr. A. Frasor (Lawrence) were appointed delegates to the Dominion Coni'oerncc. . A proposal that the Government bo asked to reduce the freight on h i'rclwood timber was referred to '.he Dominion Conference. Jt was decided to ask merchants Ho import 31b; sacks, as the 1 resent IWnt ones will not stand handling. Other resolutions carried were: it) That consignees, be advised In- tho Railway Department' (by post, ' telegraph, or telephone) of the arrival of goods at stations in country districts; (2) that the Government be'asked, to appoint an expert grader to grade all imported fertilisers and guano from the Pacific Islands, and also fertilisers made in tho Dominion, and to give certificates as to the suitability .of fertilising qualities; (3) that tho Minister of Agriculture be asked for tho services of an itinerant instructor to undertake short courses for son's of farmers; (4) that 110 reform of the Legislative Council will bo satisfactory that will endanger the country quota, which does not provide for the simultaneous election of both Houses, and which does not provide for,an,appeal to the country in the case of a deadlock in either House; (0) that tho'Minister of Agriculture bo asked to appoint an aualyist to leoturo in various agricultural districts on soil analysis, artificial manures, etc. • A motion that the Government be asked to provide training farms near the four main centres where city beys may learn' the rudiments of agriculture, and afterwards, if suitable, may be ,-.pnrenticed to farmers, on tho linos of the Sedgwick boy scheme, and that such training farms be provided for the tiaining of immigrant boys and men on similar lines, was refqrrcd to tho Dominion Conference. . ' I ■