MANAWATU FARMERS UNION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 176, 21 April 1919, Page 8

MANAWATU FARMERS UNION

(Special .Correspondent.) Palmerston North, April 19. At a meeting of tho Manawatu subforovincial executive of the New Zealand (Farmers' Union, which was held at Palmerston North, the organiser, Mr. Tan)cred Cooper, in his.report stated that ,to date there were 21 branches, including (Paraparaumu, which branch had recently decided to join the organisation. The, members enrolled to." date- were 177, of which 376 w'ero financial. There were three more centres, which in all probability would join up the PohnnginaKomako, Tiakitahuna, and Bunnythorpe. A meeting of the provincial executive 'had been arranged for May, when the morieys owing to the sub-provincial executive would be handed over—Bs. for every financial member.;.;. It,. would, bo' necessary to arrange a rebate'of, that; amount to the different-branches," some of which were new branches and had no funds He .'had arranged to", canvass- the Levin centre on May 1,-2,. and 3, the -lattor date being the", general meeting called to hear Mr. W.' J. Poison. After that dato he would, arrange to canvass the district right through. The report was adopted, and Mr. Cooper was appointed secretary pro tern. The appointment of a permanent secretary was hold over till the provincial executive had made its appointment, the 'chairman explaining-that the secretary appointed .by the latter body. might well bo appointed for both bodies, and also the Palmerston 'branch. The matter of the appointment of a treasurer mid the . selection of an advisory committee wern held over till next meeting.

Considerable time was ocupicd in discussing, n number of remits relative to the sliding scale of subscriptions, and eventuaily it was decided that the minimum .subscription 1«> £1 per annum up to ,£IOOO unimproved valuo to rise at the rate of ftl.'per £W0 till it reaches a maximum Qf JCS per annum. It was subsequently decided that uu alteration in the rate'of subscription should take place this year. Further consideration 'was siven to n lengthy remit moved 'by Mr. M'Donald (Te Horo branch), which lie sought to have incorporated in tho constitution of the union. The motion, which was seconded pro forma, was further shelved, in tho meantime tn bo referred lo the branches. The following remits were endorsed:— "That a tyre tax be imposed on motors for the maintenance of artsrial roads. (2) that when this union is properly es. to Wished in its own offices, it should work a labour oxchange throughout the Dominion. (3) That the Government lie iir»ed to take all possible, steps to pre. veiit the snread of cattle tick in NewZealand (f) That railway officials be renuestod'to noli'fy fanners of the nrrivnl of goods consigned to them at railway FtltioTis by telephone, or if telephone communication is not available, by card."