THE FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 842, 17 March 1903, Page 3

THE FARMERS’ UNION.

ANNUAL MEETING OF TINIROTO BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Tiniroto branch of the Farmers’ Union was hold on Saturday, and was largely attended. Mr Lissant Clayton, the chairman, gave a resume of the year’s work. He said that the Government’s attention had been drawn to the tardy manner in which

•awn to the tardy manner in which grants had been expended in this district, and strenuous efforts had been made to get the Lands and Stock Departments to take some notice of the spread of noxious weeds in the Government stock paddock and unoccupied towuship sections, and although much correspondence had taken place and the chairman had takeu the stock inspector to seo tho localities in question nothing had been done by tho Department, though settlers were required to clear adjacont laud. The reports of this and other branches on the Waimata resolution to get a reduction in the commission on stock sales had apparently had the deeired effect. Telephonic communication had been established by the settlers at their own cost with tho outside world. Tiniroto’s motion to have Cook and Wairoa represented on tho Colonial Council had resulted in the rules of tho Union being amended to provide for this. This branch had been the most generous of those in the district in supporting the Glass testimonial. A resolution of the branch respecting the dismissal of Mr McCurdy from the Government service had been adopted by the Executive. The Chairman cong.a.ulated the branch on being the first branch started in Poverty Bay, and on the lively interest it took in all affairs affecting the community. He also referred to the satisfactory state of its finances. Tho Treasurer, Mr H. E. Kent, read tho balance-sheet, showing a credit of J 22 6s o£d.

Mr Kent said tbo meeting should estabish the principle of paying their delegate

for iris expenses in attending the annual provincial conference, as many a man otherwise eminently suitable to represent them might be unable to accept the position, owing to the expense attached to it. If the delegate chose ho might return it as a donation. He proposed that their delegate be paid 10s a day for his attendance at the conference, and for one day’s journey up and one down. —Seconded by Mr W. White, and carried.

Mr W. Sutherland mude complimentary reference to the Chairman, and moved that he he again elected their delegate for the conference. —Seconded by Mr Baker, of liuakituri, and carried. Mr 11. E. Kent proposed that Mr Clayton be re-elected Chairman and Secretary. —Seconded by Mr W. White, and carried. Mr Spence was re elected auditor, and the following Committee was chosen : Messrs H. E. Kent, Bendy (of liuakituri), E. Jackson (Hangaroa), and W. White.

Instructions to the delegate for the conference were dealt with. Mr Lysnar proposed that the delegate support in every way in his power any movement for the immediate settlement of Native laud.— Seconded by Mr W. Sutherland, and carried.

Messrs H. E. Kent, White, Lysnar, and others thought the Union would never be a success and a real tangible benefit to the farmers uutil they had a suitable man to look after it and help the farmers in stock sales and sales of all forms of produce. To appoint such a man the Provincial Executive must be provided with money. They had no doubt that if a good start were made the business done would go largely towards paying his salary. Mr Kent advocated a levy on every member of, say, 10s in addition to the usual annual subscription for ordinary expenses, but for ono year only. Those who did not pay the levy of course would not be able to obtain the benefit of the man’s servicos. A commission of 1 per ! cent, should bo charged to augment the fund.

It was pointed out that the Farmers’ Union Club was practically worked on these lines. Messrs Lysnar and White considered the arrangement did not work well. On several occasions they had been there with the view of making enquiries, and could not find the secretary. Mr Clayton said it was scarcely possible for the secretary to bo in constant attendance for the small salary attached to the position ; indeed, someone who could be about among the farmers, and not stop always in the club-room, was more desirable, but such a man would require an adequate salary, which the Union was not prepared to give. Mr Kent proposed that the delegate bring before the conference the idea of levying on the branches a fixed sum for the purpose of appointing a secretary to further the work of. the Union and to provide the capital to be invested in this work; members should pay an annual subscription, the secretary to work generally for all the members in such matters as sales of stock, grain, seed, etc., charging only a small subscription to provide a small fund for the Union. Details should be left to the conference to set up a committee to evolve a practical scheme. Mr Dcndy seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr Lysnar referred to a resolution of the Masterton A. and P. Society in supporting a resolution of the International Conference of Sheepbreeders at Carlisle having reference to tlio subject of tho use of shoddy. Legislation had been used to prevent the adulteration of food; he thought it should be extouded to woollen goods, and they in this district should not be behind in urging the matter as one for legislative attention. He moved that the delegate be instructed to bring up the following resolution at the conference: “That the conference is of opinion that the increasing adulteration of woollen goods with shoddy substitutes and inferior material demand in the interests both of the consumers and tho producer immediate legislative action.” Mr Clayton seconded the motion. This matter, he said, called for very serious attention, as the introduction of shoddy in woollen goods was a serious menuce to wool growors, greatly lessening the demand for wool. According to Mr Holiings, of Bradford, an authority on the subject, in the 400 woollen mills in the vicinity of Bradford, thero were scores of mills that used ten bales of shoddy to one of wool. A manufacturer koown the world over for Melton cloth, used nothing but cotton waste and rags, old stockings, etc. Melton cloth was sold wholesale at 6d and 7d per yard, 32in in width, and that authority said it was a most difficult thing now to get pure Melton cloth. If persons were prohibited from selling margarine for butter they should also bo prohibited from selling shoddy for woollen goods.

The motion was carried unanimously. A circular was received from the Colonial Treasurer, explaining n proposed Bill for mutual farmers’ fire and marine insurance, being similar to tlio companies worked with such success in Canada. The circular explained that in this scheme the farmer would only have to pay 5s to insure £IOO of property, as against 17s at present, and probably only 3s to insure against accident on £IOO wages, as against 10s at present.

On the motion of Mr Lysnar, the dele gate was instructed to support the mea sure at the conference.

The ordinary business of the branch was

then proceeded with. On the motion of Mr Baker, seconded by Mr Dendy, it was decided to again draw the attention of the authorities to the necessity of eradicating ragwort and other noxious weeds on Crown and Native land, and urging that' prosecutions be made if it is not immediately done. Mr Lysnar proposed that the Cook County Council bo thanked for their response to the Union’s request for the road machine to be placed on the Tiniroto road, which, in the opinion of the branch, had done exceptionally good work. This expression of opinion was desirable, as the road machine had many opponents. Mr Sutherland seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr H. E. Kent proposed that the Chief Engineer of Roads be written to immediately, asking for the expenditure of the .£4OO grant for the Hangaroa-Tiniroto road mentioned in his letter of September 11. Seconded by Mr J. L. Spence and cairied.

The Telephone Committee, Messrs Spence, White, aud Clayton, reported that the line was complete and everything now running smoothly, and tendered their resignations. They declined to accept reelection, and Messrs Kent, Kiehardson, and Worsnop were appointed to fill their places. '