FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 431, 2 June 1902, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

The meeting of the Poverty Bay Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, held at the Masonic Hotel on Saturday morning, was largely attended, Mr J. Macfarlane presiding. A communication was received from the proprietors of the New Zealand Dairyman, stating that they were devoting considerable attention to the Union, and they invited suggestions as to bow the space could be utilised, and asked how many members would become subscribers. The Chairman said that the press gave full reports of the proceedings, and when any subjects of a special character came up for discussion the papers could be sent to the Dairyman. A reply was received from the Superintendent of Eleotrio Lines in regard to the resolution passed by the Executive, asking that any surplus derived from telephones should be expended in erecting more in the district. Tbs writer stated that the Postmaster-General regretted he was unable to extend to the Poverty Bay district any treatment distinct from that accorded to other parts of the colony in the matter of telephonic communication. It was also pointed out that the Department had no knowledge of any surplus resulting from telephone business transacted in the district.

Mr Hood thought the letter was somewhat of a snub, and that the Department had not given consideration to the matter. The Secretary said there was little doubt that there was a surplus. The Chairman remarked on the growing laxity of the Departments in regard to replies to communications. It was decided to draw the attention of

Mr Carroll to the matter, and to the fact that similar resolutions sent from the district had been ignored. Mr Acland Hood was appointed the executive’s delegate to the forthcoming conference. The Chairman said ho understood that every provincial executive could appoint one delegate to the conference. The Secretary stated that ho under-

stood the Nuhaka and Wairoa farmers wished to join the Poverty Bay Provincial Union, and he thought tho rule regarding the boundaries of the district should be extended to include the Wairoa County. The Chairman pointed out that a notice of motion was necessary to amend a rule, so Mr Clayton moved as follows : “ That the resolution passed at the last meeting affectin» the representation on the Colonial Council of Ccok and Waiapu be so amended as to allow Wairoa and other outlying districts to join with Poverty Bay if they desire.” _ The proposed rules for the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to be submitted to the Colonial Conference was considered at some length, and several amendments were made. It was decided on the motion of Mr Clayton, that no person who was a member of any non-agricul-tural trade union shall be eligible for election to the Union. It was agreed that a book should be kept in the Farmers’ Club in Gisborne so.that a member might note anything that he wished to sell. In con. nection with the rule giving the amount of subscription, Mr Clayton moved, That

members shall pay an entrance fee of Is. Each branch shall fix its own members’ subscription, but that each subscription shall not exceed ss. Each. Provincial Council may levy annually on its branches any sum not exceeding 8s fid per member, and the Provincial Council may be called

upon annually to pay to the Colonial Council a levy not exceeding Is fid per member, if necessary. This not to take effect until the next financial year. The delegate was given power to oppose the hard and fast 5s fee, and, if possible, substitute Mr Clayton’s resolution. The following resolution was also passed, That the Central Executive be the only body capable of using the Farmers’ Union as an electoral machine.

There was a largo attendance at the meeting of the Gisborne branch of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday afternoon, Mr W. D. Lysnar being voted to tho chair. Tho Executive Secretary, Mr Lissant Clayton, wrote with regard to the proposal to form a Farmers’ Ciub in Gisborno. It

had been resolved that no stepß should be takon until tho names of 75 members were obtained, also that an entrance fee of ss, and an annual subscription of be charged, all members of the Farmers’ Union to be eligible for membership. Mr Clayton stated that ho had received a communication from Mr Steele, licensee of tho Albion Hotel, withdrawing his offer of rooms, as owing to tho delay in giving a decided answer he had made other arrangements. Mr Bell stated he had a good offer made to him that morning in regard to rooms. There would be no difficulty about that. Mr Clayton stated that he had 30 names of prospective members already. Aftor somo discussion, it was decided on the motion of Mr Birrell that a Farmers’ Club should bo formed.