FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2072, 6 May 1907, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION.

GISBORNE BRANCH. The annual "general meeting of tin above branch of the Union was hell at the club rooms on Saturday after noon, there being about 20 member: present. Mr. W. D. Lysnar occupiec the chair. The balance-sheet, showing a crcdil balance of £1 4s lid, was read. The receipts amounted to .£44 16s 6d. The Chairman said that the mos( important event of the year outside their own work was the death of tin late Premier. The Land Bill was a most important measure, but it did not provide the spirit of the legislation contemplated at -last election, the branch, taking the stand that the provision for restriction was not really of any use. There was only one person in this district who was affected. There were 7,000,000 acres of land capable of production. When this was thrown open there would be no need for restriction as regards limitation of area. Tke safety valve is the land for settlement Act and the Bill was a measure by which the Government could evade their responsibilities to the country, and exercise he provisions of that Land Act properly. The spirit of the Act is in favor of the city men. The inhabitant of the city could have what property lie chose and lie need not reside on the land ho takes up, but the country man must comply with the residential "qualifications. Tlio Act was not. logical and would not work out in practice; and the limitation provisions seriously hampered any farmer in financing, thus hitting the weakest and not the strongest. He hoped to see the .Bill in a modified form. The question of freights had been considered. Through tile apa thy of the farmers throughout tile colony the golden opportunity was "iot slip by in not supporting the Federal lino of steamers, as the charge for freight would have been 50 per cent, less than is paid to-day. This new lino had been squeezed out. Some of the farmers did not know this. The Federal line was prepared to carry at a half-penny per lb, while

tho oxistiug companies were charging ;jd. The old companies undercut thorn and starved out the new .line, it meant an expenditure of £26,000 a year on the output of tho two local freezing works besides other products butter, wool, grain, etc. The farmers would never get fair treatment until they subsidised a now lino of steamers to come in. They could got no help from commercial moil, who would lose, us it would be against tlieir interests as agents for the shipping companies. Hence tlioy koiit quiet. Ho hoped something would bo done. The Chairman proceeded to indioato other mutters which liad received attention during tlie year. Tho question of importing tho balance of stock for improving cattle and horses, was considered, and representations made to tho Government. As to tho best dairy cow, tho Red Devon or tho Shorthorn milking strain, trie preference was given to tho latter. Representations wero made to tho Land Board regarding an additional member residing in Gisborne, but so far without result. In Napier there wore tliroo members, blit in Gisborne there was only one and one at Tolaga Bay. Tho question should lio lollowod up to get tlie extra representation. Re the stock track to the Waikato, via AVaikarenioana, the Government had moil working on it, hut more men wore needed. There was a big demand for Gisborne’s surplus stock in AVaikato and it was sent via Napier and Taupo. There was only a gap of eight miles to bo completed to have the track through. The telephone exchange hours and reduction ill rates had been dealt with. The question of tli* encliroaeliniont of rabbits was a very important one. Ten thousand acres of bush was being felled near AVnikaremoana and when tliis was done they' would bo through. In Hawke’s Bay, fences were erected after the rabbits got to the district, but this must he prevented bore. Thirty miles of rabbit prooi iencing from the Lake to flic sea should be an effectual barrier. The Union was in communication with the AVairoa, Opotiki and Cook County Councils and tho Agricultural Societies in each district. Mr. .Maddison’s ear-mark-ing scheme was considered and reported favorably upon. On the motion of Mr. S. Liddell, seconded by Mi'. AV. Bell, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Chairman, Mr. AV. D. Lys-i-ar; AUce-Cliairman, Mr. T. Holden; Committee, Messrs. T. Fraser, R. M. Birrell, AA r . Bell, A. J. Cameron, S. Liddell, F. Teitjen, C. Bolton, T. and AV. AV. Smith, J. C. Field, C. J. Parker, Dinan, Candy, Caesar, and E. Langford; delegates to provincial committee, Mr. A. J. Cameron. The sum of £l3 6s was passed for payment to the Executive.