FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1699, 15 March 1906, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION.

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE.

Tho Poverty Bay Farmers’ Union Provincial Exeoutive met yesterday morning, when the following members were present: —Messrs W. K. Chambers (president), A, R. Watson, W. D. Lysnar, H. H. Wal l , G, Redpata, and W. L. Clayton. TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

The Native Minister acknowledged receipt of the Executive’s letter urging the necessity for the appointment to the district of a rural technical instructor, and in reply stated that he was in thorough sympathy with the aims of the Executive in prompting this class of instruotioD, and would give it every assistance.

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

The A. and P, Society Committee

wrote, regretting that owing to having gone to very considerable outlay during the past year in increasing tbo faoilities at the Show Grounds, the funds of tbe Soo’ety did not at present admit of any monetary assistance to tbe rural technical education proposal, The Department of Agrioulture notified that it would be somewhat difficult to secure a competent man to fill the dual portion of dairy produce, grader and inst uo'.or. Moreover, tbe amount of grading to be done at Gisborne was not sufficient to warrant the establishment cf a grading storo, and compliance with the High School Board's request would possibly mean placing at Gisborne one of theic best officers, whose servioes oould be

bot'er utilised in other parts of the colony, For these reasons the request could not be c implied with. Diecussion on tho question of technical education and the obtaining of avetoriaary surgeon for the district took plao.o, and it was decided, on Mr Wall's motioD, seconded by Mr Clayton, to refer the matter to tho bronohes for thoir considers* tion, informing them that it would come up at the annual provincial conference in May. VALUATIONS, Oa the motion of Mr Clayton, it was decided that tho branohes be asked to consider tho advisability of considering valuations, and to take proceedings in the Assessment Court if thought necessary, as there was reason to believe that the Department would receive their views with due consideration, IMPORTED POTATOES.

Mr W. Hall moved that the Government be asked to remove the duty on imported potatoes. While this was against farmers’ interests, it was only fair to the public, in view of the blight and scarcity of potatoee.

The President said the blight had apparently come to stay. Mr Ljgnar said that tho matter be referred to the branches for consideration, as the Executive was properly a revising body on behalf of the Union. Mr Wall agreed to make this alteration.

Mr Wall’s motion was carried. ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

Some discussion took place as to where the Provinoia! Conference should be held, Mr Clayton favoriog the Poverty Bay Farmers' Club rooms, wbikt Mr W. D. Lysnar thought the conference should take place iu the Farmers' Union Club rooms, Masonio Hotel. The majority of those present were in favor of Mr Clayton's proposal.*