FARMERS' UNION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 259, 27 July 1920, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION

(From Our Special Correspondent,) Palmerston North, July 26, Tho Manawntu sub-provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union met at Levin on Saturday.

Tho secretary reported that there were now 900 members in the Manawatu subprovincial district, fourteen having joined recently. The sum collected from subscriptions since the previous meeting was iildG 65., of which thei sliding scale had provided d£GB ss. above tho ordinary rate of £1 per member. The question of tho establishment of an agricultural collcge at Palmerston North was discussed, it being pointed out that tho soil at Weraroa, where it was proposed to set up a college, was of a very rich nature, and was therefore not suitablo for experimenting for the whole district, as there was a large proportion of clay soil in the Manawatu which required, totally different treatment, ana it was necessary that agricultural experiments should bo carried out on these soils to bo of any advantage to the district generally. It was eventually decided that the executive Should use every endeavour to ha,ve a collcge established in the. Vicinity of Palmerston North.

The matter of asSßting by means of a delation the special agricultural classes being conducted under the direction of Mr. J. ,T. Stephens at the Palmerston North High School, was brought up, and it was eventually decided that in the present state of the funds tho matter should be held over, but it was decided to take advantage of Air. Stophons's offer to hold field days on which fanners could seo the work "which was being carried out at the school.

The brafteh sent in a remit pointing out that under present arranjjemonts tho process of getting remits through to a finality was too slow, and tho executive was recommended to go into the matter w'ith a view to getting things through moro quickly. Rangiotu branch brought up a remit to the effect that dairy farmers should have first call on cement stocks for essential purposes, especially whero returned soldiers wero concerned, and that in order to givo effect to this farmer* should havo equal representation on tho board of control. Tho secretary was instructed to bring tho matter under tho notico of the Prime Minister.

Rangiotu also moved that in view of the present valuo of the pound sterling tho time had 'arrived when tho amount of income free of taxation should 1m increased; likewise the children's allowances; and, further, that it is most unfair to chavgo super tax on children's allowances, as is done at present. It ■was decided to bring the matter under tho notice of tho Minister of Finance?.

It was resolved to write to tho' Chief Veterinarian urging that division to push on with the serum treatment to prevent abortion in dairy herds, as was being done with succcss in England.

A second of a series of social evenings was held at' Hataitai School on Saturday wfrm over 100 guests attended ajid played progressive 500. Tho winners were Mies Arnott, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Wicks, and Mr. Buckmaster. The supper was arranged by Mcsdames Arena. Bear, Searlo, Bnruett, Campbell and Catt. A. danco ooncludod tho evening, which wag arranged by tho Hataitai branoh of tho Women's National Reserve in aid of the Residential Nurseries, Bowen Street. Tho music waa supplied by Mrs. Searle.