PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 505, 19 August 1902, Page 1

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE.

At the meeting of the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union held on Saturday, the following members were present :—Messrs W. Acland Hood (chairman), W. Baird, C- J. Parker, W. Hell, H. N. Lysnar, W. D. Lysnar, E. D. Bilham, A. H. Wallis, and Lissant Clayton (secretary). Mr W. D. Lysnar was elect 'd a member of the Executive. Messrs W. F. Somerville and W. ]. Joblin were elected members of the Executive representing Tolago Bay and Nuhaka respectively. In regard to subsidy to telephones the Hon. J. Carroll wrote stating that ha considered the reply from the PostmasterGeneral had been reasonable, and had been given in an impartial manner.—Received.

Resolutions wore received from tho Karaka and Ormond branches in reference to tho entrance fee and subscription for membership and recommending a fee of 5s for members residing outside a radius of 20 miles from Gisborne.

The suggestion was made that tho Council should arrange for someone to write upon the matter of the Native land question as it affected this district. It was agreed that Mr W. D. Lysnar should be asked to write a series of articles to tho Dairyman. Mr Lysnar said ho would he ploascd to do what was in his power. Ho pointed out the great Injustice that tho Act was doing to tho district. Tho Chairman said that at tho Conference there was a strong feeling of independence, and against calling upon the Government for everything. It was thought that centralisation was detrimental to the progress of the colony. The Patutahi branch forwarded resolutions passed at their meeting. Tho suggestion of a distributing company at Wellington for the disposal of produce was approved of. They also recommended thatthe Government be urged to import stock for improving tho dairy stock of the district.

Mr Bell thought the Government should take this step.

Mr Lysnar understood that tho Government were doing this in some parts of tho colony, and ho thought that this district should derive some benefit also. However, people must not depend too much upon the Government, as they could not bo expected to provide more than one or two bulls.

Mr Bell suggested that entires also should be provided. Mr Wallis contended that this was the work of the farmers themselves. Tho tendency of the people of New Zealand was trying to make the Government a foster mother. They could not oxpect the Government to provide hulls for the district, as it would be a big item. He thought they should rely upon their own resources.

The Chairman though t that the suggestion was carried too far, but encouragement should bo made to farmers for importing good stock by the giving of prizes through the Agricultural Society. Mr Birrell described the procedure of subsidising the farmers in England who owned first-class stock. The resolution was altered to read that the dairy stock of the district should bo improved by the subsidising by Government of tho best dairy stock. Mr Wallis considered it a subject for tho Agricultural Society and not to run to the Government about. He would be very reluctant to do that. Tho matter was discussed, and it was suggested that tho farmers should pull togethor and secure aDimals of their own.

Mr Lysnar proposed that the matter be allowed to stand over till tho opinion of the various branches had been received.

Iu regard to State Fire Insurance, the Chairman stated that there had been a very strong expression at tho Conference against such an institution being sot up. Mr W. D. Lysnar strongly objected to the resolution, and hoped that State fire insurance would never come into force, as it'would be a very dangerous thing. Mr H. N. Lysnar urged that the members of tho Executive should be loyal to the Commercial Union.

Members discussed the subject, and it was agreed that tho Commercial Union ofiico having met tho Union iu every way should bo liberally instead of opposition companies, which were also bringing pown their scale. Tfie Secretary reported upon the forming of the Farmers’ Union Club. The nominations were now received, and wore as follows :—President, Mr C. J. Parker; vice-president, Mr T. Holden ; secretary, Mr R. M. Birrell; treasurer, Mr W. D, Lysnar.