GISBORNE FARMERS UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1936, 19 November 1906, Page 3

GISBORNE FARMERS UNION.

A mooting of too above Uniou was hold at she Oluu room*, Masonic Hotel, on Saturday last, Thoro was it fair afiuudatico, Mr \V• D. Lyeuar in tbo chair. Too Chairman road a letter from She Executive enclosing circular loiter Irorn Mv J, G. Wilson, President Now Zutlaud Farmers’ Uuiou. This lutter was uudor cover of a resolution of tbo Executive, to tho t fleet “That ouoh branoh tu the Executive be requested to collect a special fund for the purpose of opposing the L ind Bill introduced by tho Exeouttve.” The bon. seoretary of the Executive, Mr W. L. Clayton, asked for tho cooperation of tho Gisborne branoh of the Union. The Chairman read tho President’s letter, and ixelaiuod that it was proposed o form a figtiiieg fund to bo used by the Unions in sending speakers against iho bill to follow Chose wbo were supporting it, so that both sides could bo laid before the oountry. Toe subscriptions to tho fund by eaoh branoh would bo forwarded t) tho general secretary, who would arrange for counter speakore. With regard to the Laud Bill, the time had oome when the Unions should do something pruotical and e pen up a fund tu fight with. Thoro had no doubt boon alterations in the Bill, but these had ouly modified the difficulties they were confronted with; tbuy hud not been removed. Too Bill should □ ever be allowed to roach tho Statute Book. To make an effective fight the farmers had to open their pockets. Tho Union had had no quarrel with the Government. Mr Tuohy : Barring the Lind Bill. Tho Chairman: Yss, barring the Land Bill. The Uoion did not want to take part in party politics, and had so far slood < out; but tho Government had attacked I one of the piaoks of the Union’s platform, s aud they hud no option but to go into the 1 political arena. A let of people said it ( was tho Lioor people that were forcing on this Bill. Is was nothing of the kind ; it t wai tbo aod tbs Bbsoris* Boat t woes urging this iniquitous msasuro 00. Toe Labor party, oucj they had tho farmers’ position on tho Bid put before ihem, would bo with them right throughout the colony. At unyrato tho Sima had come for them to put their foot down and not lot supporters oi the Bill huyO their wav. Mr Birrell said ho could not agree with Mr Lysnar in all he had said, that there was no good in the Bill. There were no doubt some good points in tho Bill, and it was not all. The question before the mooting, however, was this manifesto of ;he President, and ho would like to know .vliat it was the outcome of and how it iad been arrived at. An appeal oi that sort should, bo tho consensus of opinion of ,he farmers throughout the whole country. The Chairman said that the President s otter was the outcome of tho 1’ armors Unions right throughout the country. Vcry arge meetings of farmers had taken place ill over the colony At one mooting 700 'armors were present. It was the unanim>us wish of tho farmers everywhere that ,he Bill should be fought. Mr Birrell thought that in collecting 'unds for the purpose of arranging counter)lasts to speakers on tho Land Bill, yere going in opposition to tho Govcrnnent. FLe did. not know if his intelligence vas right, but this was what it seemed to be. The Chairman said that Mr Birrell’s nteiligcnce was right, that was exactly the position. Government intended forcing ihe J3ill on thorn, and would leave nothing jut "to oppose it, If the Govcrnniont ]topped the Bill then the subscriptions ;alled for fighting the same could be landed back to different members. Mr Birrcli said that the Gisborne branch lad never discussed in the Land Bill in its intended form, and he thought this should ae done before any subscription list was jpened, _ _ . A member : Givo notice of rqotion! Mr Birrell: Alright ho would give notice of motion that the Bill in its amended form should bo discussed at the next meeting of the Union. Mr A, J. Cameron thought that a subscription list should bo opened at once that day, and he therofore moved to that effect.

Mr Tuoky said in his opinion, the monoy so collected should not be sent away, but kept here to help the Union. They should keep the control of the money. Ho would second Mr Cameron’s motion if that were added. With regard to the Government, he had nothing against them but the Land Bill. A Mernbsr : Too poor Motu soltlora are finding sue benefii of a Liberal Governmeni ; ihsy oan get ssutf op to feed them. Mr Tuohoy : His strong poiot againsi the Bill was shai he would like hia boy 9 placed on the sama fooling as the sons of uadesmen, bo that they could take up land. He had no objeotiou to towns* man’a aona taking up land, but he wanted the same privilege ior hia aon. That sort of thing kdled the farmer. The Onairman i You will have an ops portunity of discussing the Lind Bill at the next meeting. Mr Tuoby : “ I’ll bo there if I have to oome oa emtehes. I want the same privileges as other people,” Mr Cameton’a motion was then carried. STOCK IIOUTB.

A loiter was read from the Hamilton branch of the Farmers’ Union, piking *? c co-Dprration of tho Gisborne braced in opening tip tbs stock routs so 'Waiitaic. Tna Onairman satd this was a matter of great importance, and it was essential that i,he unions at both ends of the ground should work together. Ho bad asked Messrs H. G. Tucket and Ward to attend tho meeting that day, a 3 both gentlemen bad been over the country recently, and

knew every part of it. Messrs Tucker and Ward, by the aid cn a map, each gave his ideas of the way a stock route should take. Both gentlemen aerreed that the Waikaremoana route presented the least difficulties, it being pointed out that the Tourist Department intended shortlv to open up the road to the lake. Bevond the lake only about 12 miles of work was now required and the route would be connected right through. inis work was supposed to be finished by next February. , . ~ A resolution was earned ask up, Lie Waikato Branch to support the Waikaremoana route, and both branches to urge the Government to complete the remaining bush work and open up the route as speedily as possible. . f 1 The Chairman said the opening up o the route was the main consideration, ino Hangavoa deviation would be a matter tor Mr A. J. Cameron said lie would like to discuss the matter of having another loca representative appointed on the Hawke t> Bay Land Board. The Board had fom members, and the Commissioner. When Mr Bertram was appointed they had thought that Poverty Bay would have had two members, but Mr Ma'.thowson hud resigned, leaving Poverty Buy with only one representative to Hawke’s Bay’s three- He had nothing to complain of so fat us tho members of the

Board wore oononrnod, as thoy had aotod very atrnight indeed. His only objootion was that they wo to not looivl men, and did not have too nooo?s»ry looal and geographies! knowlodgo of tho d'B tiot. Ho greatly rogrottod that Mr Matthewaon had rasigood. (Hoar, hoar.) Ho moved ihat thia branoh throngh tho Exocufivo ask for a second inombor to bo appointed on tho board, and that tho ohoumur, Mr Bfrroll, and hituucif bo appointed us a deputation to urgn tho uiattor, Mr Biiroll agreed with Mr Oamoron, and sooandod tho motion. Ho ohod oply ■ ogrettod Mr MutthowHon’a abuouoo from tho board. Mr Tuohv also paid a otrong tribute to Mr MattbowHon'a twenty yoiutt' aorvior. Tho Chairman pointed out shot it wus not right that Ormoudvillo ohonld have two mc-mbora on tho llawko’a Buy Boat'd and tho Bait Const only one. Mr Cameron’s motion was carried, end tho mooting odjonrnod