FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 505, 19 August 1902, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION.

Tho meeting of the Gisborne Branch of the Farmers’ Union held on Saturday was largoly attended, Mr W. D. Lysnar (Chairman) presiding. On the motion of Mr Birrell Mr W. D. Lysnar was appointed a member of tho Executive in the place of Mr Maefarlano. A was received from tho lion. J. G. Ward, Acting-Premier, in reference to tho resolution re subsidising freezing stores in London. In reply Sir Joseph said the representations would receive careful consideration. Tho Chairman thought that they could only thank Sir Jos.W r ard for his attention, and that was all they could do, as the Council had already doalt with tho subject in a measure. Tho following lotter was received from Hon. James Carroll: “My views regarding tho furtherance and improvements of our trade relations with tho Empire are so well known that it is unnecessary for mo to say that I am a strong advocate and in entire .sympathy with every effort made in tho way of securing better facilities for the handling of our produco in London. I feel that tho time has como when the New Zealand producer and the British consumer should be brought closer together, There are, of course, many difficulties in tho way, but they are not insurmountable, and as already stated anything that tends to assist production and help the settler will always havo my .'support.” llailway Works.

The Under-Secretary of the Public Works Department wrote stating that tenders for the railway bridge an Ivaiteratahi had already been called. Upon the samo subject Mr Carroll wrote, stating that he could only again.say what ho had said beforo that the Government would, as far as any votes granted by Parliament for the purpose would permit, extend the railway from point to point with all reason-

able spoed, bridges and everything else included. Though there wore many who saw lit to cry down their efforts to develop their district by means of the railway, saying that it was a mere waste of money and that no possible use could come of it, he was more than ever of tho opinion that our railway would yet in the very near future prove ono of tho best lines in tho colony.

Tho Chairman said that the letter was backing up tho effort of the Railway League to get the lino opened to Kaiteratahi, and it seemed hopeful that this would bo done previously to waiting for tho bridge to bo completed.

Stock Sales,

A resolution was forwarded from the Ormond Branch, asking that the auctioneers be askod to combino and hold their sales all together alternately at Matawhoro and Waereuga-a-hika. Mr Tietjen stated that this plan had already been tried by the auctioneers, and had fallen through, as tho yards were already filled at the various sales.

The Secretary said that tho provision had been made to have tho sales each fortnight, so that there would not be such an accumulation.

Mr Wall said that the present system was all right, but tho trouble was that farmers held bacK and tried to purchase privately. Tho auctioneers would not sell together, as it had been tried previously. The Chairman said that the meeting could, if desirable, write to the auctioneers and try and get their union in the matter. Mr Wallis said that the difficulty would be that the yards belonged to the private firms, and they could not dictate to the firms or farmers to sell on any particular date.

Mr Hood said that if the firms could not agree to sell together, the farmors could join together and get other yards. Mr Birrell proposed that the auctioneers bo written to asking them to sell altogether in the one day, alternately at Matawhoro and Waerenga-a-hika. Mr Hood seconded the motion.

Mr McGregor thought that Makaraka should be added to tho list. He was of opinion that they could not improve upon the present system, The starting of sales by the farmers would only make more sales, and consequently the farmers would only lose more days attending them. Mr Bousfield said that it was not the quantity put through, but the bidding given that was the trouble. If the proposition was amended, asking the auctioneers to sell together alternately, and not mentioning any place, it would be better. Tho Chairman said that it was intended to reduce the number of sales.

Mr Bousfield said that buyers would sometimes have to hold their stock for the sale.

The resolution was put aud carried by .4 to 12.

The Chairman said that the number of sales last year was really disgraceful, and farmers were unable to know where to get a really representative sale.