FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 922, 22 June 1903, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE.

The above met at the Farmers’ Union Club-rooms on Saturday morning, there being present: The President (Mr A. H. Wallis), Messrs Somerville, Hutchinson, Wall, McLean, Hood, Bell, and Clayton (Secretary). The Secretary stated that he had written to Messrs Brooking and Witters (Makauri) with a view to getting a branch formed there, but as yet had received no reply. The Secretary pointed out that a number of letters to the Hon. Mr Carroll were unanswered. It was very difficult to get an answer from him. Mr Seddon aud other Ministers were always prompt in replying. Important letters re insurance, Native Land Board and Legislative Council were amongst those unanswered. The date of the last letter Co Mr Carroll was May 16th. Altogether there were five letters unanswered. Mr Hood proposed that Mr Carroll be asked for a reply to their letters, and whether it was intentional or accidental. The motion was seconded by Mr McLean aud carried.

Mr Hood remarked that if Mr Carroll would not reply they would have to get a neighboring member to attend to their

warns. 1c was decided to instruct the delegate co support the resolution of the Tiniroto oranch with reference to the proposed compulsory employment of unionists. Mr Clayton stated that in the colony there were 18,000 unionists and 55,000 non-union laborers.

With reference to a letter from the Southland County Council re the small birds nuisance, the Chairman pointed out that there was an Act in force and could be put in operation by the County Council. He thought that such a step was too premature for the district. Mr Hood pointed out that they could not ripen grain on the fiats. The Chairman thought it would pay farmers to obtain their own poisoned

gram. Mr Hood said farmers would not do it. The Chairman stated that the same thiDg would be applied to fruit-growing. If one man took care to do away with pests it did not follow that his neighbor would do so. If farmers would not do it then the County Council could be applied to to proclaim a district. Mr Hood thought the best plan would be to have a district proclaimed comprising the flats. Motu and Tolago farmers would not stand being rated, as it did not interfere with them. The Ormond people were keen on the matter, and he thought that the different branches should be written to on the subject, and moved accordingly. The motion was seconded by Mr Somerville and carried,

The Lands Department wrote in answer to a communication from the Union asking that the small grazing runs should be brought into line with other properties in the district. The Chairman said that they evidently misunderstood their request, and did not want to understand, as the secretary had written a number of letters to them about it. They Beemed to think that the Union wanted the small grazing runs cut up for close settlement. A similar letter from the Lands and Survey Department was received.

Mr Clayton brought up the question as to whether he was barred from voting on the Executive on acccount of him holding the secretaryship. Mr H. N. Lysnar thought he should resign as delegate from the Tiniroto branch on being appointed secretary. The President proposed, and Mr Hood seconded, that Mr Clayton be allowed to vote and speak at all Executive meetings, the secretaryship not to debar him from doing so. Carried. A letter was reoeived from the Motu branch with reference to the proposed veterinary surgeon, stating that the proposal was indefinite. Mr Clayton said that farmers were not enthusiastic over the matter, because of the indefinite position with regard to it. A large salary was proposed, and subscribers had to guarantee for three years. Ho was unable to get subscribers. It was not specified whether the surgeon would be at the call of the people of Motu as at Ormond. It was a difficult question for a scattered district. He thought the requirements might be settled by appointing another Government veterinary surgeon to the district. He had written to the Department about the matter, but had not yet received a reply. Mr Birrell, secretary of the Gisborne branch, wrote :—“ Referring to your favor of the 19th ult., and more particularly to

tho portion dealing with the contributions of branches to the Colonial and Provincial Executives, I beg to inform you that this

branch at its annual meeting fully discussed the question, and were unanimous that the amount of subscription for the current year be fixed at 2s, Is of this to go for provincial and colonial executive purposes. As this branch was at great expense last year in advancing the interests of the Union in the district, and expect to do the same during the present year, a levy of 3s will be made on cacti member, and will be used to cover the extraordinary expenditure of this branch. My committee have caret'ullv considered the matter, and have a"R'm brought it before this branch at a largely attended meeting, when it was unanimously resolved to still adhere to its former position, and they have therefore instructed me to write to that effect, and at the same time to ask the Executive to reconsider this matter, so that any friction might bo obviated.” The Chairman said they made a levy oi 3s, and the Giisborne representative was present. Mr Clayton said ho was instructed before the conference took place to write on the subject, and did so. They fixed the levy and then got a fixed refusal to pay it. By this they were breaking the rules of the Union. He suggested that they uppoint a committee to meet the Chairman of the Gisborne branch to see if they could not come to a settlement without beiug compelled to take other steps. If they persisted in their refusal it only meant secession. . Mr Hood suggested that the Chairman and the Secretary attend the next meeting of the brauch and put tho matter before them. ~ The Chairman thought thoy should avoid any friction. They should meet the Chairman and discuss the matter with him. If it could not bo settled, then they would have to cut them off from the Union.

Mr Somerville thought it was a ease of misapprehension, and supported Mr Hood’s suggestion. It was decided that the Chairman and Secretary meet the Chairman of tho Gisborne branch, and if nocessary attend their next meeting. Mr Hood proposed and Mr Clayton seconded that it be suggested to tho Colonial Conference to ask the Government to obtain from tho Produce Commissioner (Mr Cameron) statistics as regards the amount of rags sold in the Home market for manufacturing purposes. Mr Hood brought up the condition of tho road from Gladstone road to the railway station, and said : “ It is equally an inconvenienco to tho settlors of Poverty Bay and a disgrace to the borough. It is ono of our main roads, and any settler coming to the district gets bumped over tho pre-historic sandbeds.” Ho suggested that tho Borough Council be approached on the matter, and moved in accordance. Tho motion was soconded by Mr Somerville, who said that the matter was of great importance to the settlers. Tho Secretary explained that the report on Native lands by tho committee set up had not yet been received. Mr Somerville brought forward tho Stud Act, and statod that his branch had considered it, and decided to make amendments.

Mr Clayton said Patutahi people objoctod to the licensing fee. Mr McLean said his branch (Te Ilaraka) was totally against it. Tho Chairman thought tanners ought to be capablo of minding their own business without the support of special legislation. After considerable discussion it was decided to strike out all the words in clause 2 after mares ; also in clause 7, making the penalty £5 instead of £2O.