FARMERS’ UNION: DAYS OX MEETING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2131, 13 July 1907, Page 1

FARMERS’ UNION:

DAYS OX MEETING.

MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE.

Tlio Provincial Executive' of the I'armors’ Union mot at Mr. A. Graham's office yesterday - Tho President (Mr. A. R. Watson, of AVainiaca) took tlie chair, and tliero were present Messrs. AV. lv. Chambers (Patutahi), T. Elliott (Alotu), J. Hutchison (Itakauroa), H. E. Kent, and W Lissant Clayton (Tiniroto), and the secretary, Mr. A. Graham. AVAIMATA SECTION.

In tho outgoing correspondence woro letters addressed to the Hon. J. Carroll, Mr. Herries, M.H.R., and the Minister foe Lands, On tlie subject of the dissatisfaction caused by the withdrawal of the AVaimata sec-

tion, and asking that the cause of the withdrawal be inquired into. The President stated that ho had caused the letters to be despatched, such being sanctioned by the members who happened to bo in town at tho time.

On the motion of Mr. Clayton, seconded by Mr. Hutchinson, the President’s action was confirmed.

The President disclaimed any desire of creating political strife over the mattor, but it had bee n thought wise to mako representations about

Replies to the letters were read. Mr. Carroll intimated, in liis letter that lie would bring the matter before tho Minister of Lands, and felt sure that every care woidd bo taken

in the future to prevent any trouble of a similar nature.

The Minister, Mr. Nab, merely acknowledged receipt of the Union’s letter.

The President remarked that this was about the politest way of administering a snub that had come under his notice. (Laughter.) Mr. Clayton: It is very pithy and to tho point, at least. Mr. Herries, M.H.R., notified that he would ask a question on the subject in tho House, nod would forward the answer. Ho added: —“I shall

have pleasure in bringing the matter before the House if the answer is not satisfactory, as it seems* to me that a great wrong has been done to intending settlers who applied for tho section.” The Executive agreed that nothing further could be done at present. ROADS AVAN TED.

Mr. C. H. Bridges, secretary, Motu branch, wrote requesting tho co-ope-

ration of tlie Provincial Executive in recommending to tho lion. Minister for Public AVorks that (1) ‘‘Tlio Neilroad connecting Motu and Rakauroa districts be completed as a dray road as early as possible.” There were onlv six or seven miles needed to mako the connection, and the want was a great drawback to the district, (o) «‘Tlie Paikea road, connecting Motu and Opotiki districts, be completed as an Bft track as early as possible.” There only remained 14 miles of unformed road to construct, nine miles of which was in the Auckland Land Board district. Mr. Wright, District Roads Engineer, realised tlio need of immediate connection, and was endeavoring to get tho nine miles pushed through. Urge that the five miles in Hawke’s Bay district be continued at once, with the object of reaching the boundary as soon as the Auckland section was completed. (3) “A sum of £2OO bo spent in draining on already formea part of Kohi road.” Somo parts of that new road were low-lying aiid swampy; and it was almost impassable to horse traffic during wet weather.

Mr. Elliott mentioned tliat the request had been forwarded on to the Minister for Public Works. Tho Paikea road was the only connecting link with the Bay of Plenty. The portion on the far side had been authorised, and the settlers desired to get' the work on this side put in hand. He pointed out that with the largo number of sheep passing through, tho road connection, which saved many miles, was becoming of great importance. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Elliott, seconded by Mr. Hutchinson, to write to the Minister in support of the request. BUSH CONTRACTS. Mr. Vernon C. R. Mitford, secretary. Wharekopae-Tahora Settlers’ Association, wrote in connection with slumming in' bush contracts. It was the opinion of tho Association that the time had arrived when it was apparent, both for the protection of farmers and honest bushmen, steps should bo taken to stop the indiscriminately bad work carried out vegr after year by a certain class of bushmen, who, if known to the owners of bush land, would not be employed as contractors in conjunction with those of good repute. So many men came into this district from other parts of the colony and Australia, travelling under assumed names to hide their identity, not only giving their gang a bad name, but caused dissatisfaction amongst their mates, and induced them to do bad work. In almost every other lino of trade men seoking employment must produce references as to their competence and character. Several farmers and honest bushmen had been approached on the subjoct, and they unanimously agreed that some steps should be taken, not only for tho protection of owners of bush lands, but for the employment of honest men, who could then be given preference to employment and command a better price for bush contracts they take in hand. For a small sum of Is every bushman could get his narno registered with the secretary of any of the head centres of the Farmers’ Union throughout the colony, and bo handed a card or clearance certificate, to be signed by last employer. Should at any time a man como to the district applying to the secretary of trio Farmers 1 Union for employment, the latter could, on finding the clearance satisfactory, be enabled to furnish the applicant with all necessary information to assist him in finding work. A copy of a form which would most probably meet the case was enclosed. . • i . Mr. Chambers said it was evidently suggested to form a kind of labor bureau. . , , Mr. Elliott considered tho principle was good, but tho trouble was to apply it effectually. Mr. Clayton thought the idea a good one, but tho position w’as the state of the labor market. Tlieip were not sufficient bushmen to meet the demand, and ho doubted whether bushmen would take the trouble to registor. . Mr. Elliott said a similar proposition had come before his branch on different occasions, and they had come to the same conclusion, viz., that it was hopeless to do anything in tho present state of the labor marAs the bushfolling season is prettywell over, it was agreed that nothing could bo done which would be of any practical benefit for this season, the matter will be reforred to all the branches in order to get their views on the question, and the subject will come bofore a future meeting of the Executive. The feeling of members

was that the Association was proceeding on tho. right lines to have the trouble obviated. BRANCH FSS.ES.

On the motion of Mr. Chambers, seconded by the President, the subscription to the Provincial Executive from branches was fixed at 4s per member, the same as last year. Half the amount goes to the Colonial Executive as the Provincial levy.

OFFICERS. Mr. AV. L. Clayton was elected treasurer! On his motion Mr. A. Graham was reappointed secretary. It was agreed that jn matters requiring immediate attention Mr. .Graham should consult with Mr. -Clayton, who-as nominal Provincial ■ Secretary last year did similar seryice,

In connection with tho periodical mootings of the Executive, Mr. Hutchinson' considered monthly meetings too frequent. Mr. Clayton moved that the meetings ho held every second month, on the second Friday, with a proviso for holding intermediate meetings should tho urgency of anv business necessitate it. Momhers considered this arrangement would be quite satisfactory, and the motion was carried. IMiGIST It AT LON OF DftOVEItS. The President said he understood

.he drovers were trying to arrange some scliemo by which they could register their names at some office in town, so that employers cqidd readily obtain men when required. It was a good idea for both sides, and the Union might do something in the

mattor. In discussion it was thought that drovers could register their names at Mr. Graham’s office, as it would be handy for employers to ring up. As matters stood at present there might be several drovers about, and yet a sheep-farmer wanting a man had trouble to find one.

Mr. Clayton saw one difficulty in the way. A drover who had given in his name might leave town and neglect to remove his name from the list of those open for engagement. This would possibly put the secretary and others to considerable inconvenience.

The President said the best way might be for station-holders to ring up the office and notify when they wanted men. Drovers in quest of work could call in and be placed in communication with the employers. Mr. Kent said that when an employer wanted a drover tlio general thing was to ring up the firm with whom he transacted stock business, as tho firms were usually in touch with the drovers. At the same time the present suggestion would be more convenient. After further discussion the matter was left over. The President said publicity would bo beneficial, and possiblv tlie drovers would make some suggestions which tho Union could adopt. OPOTIKI MAILS. Mr. Clayton mentioned the fact of a petition being circulated for direct mail communication with Opotiki. He held the view that good mai’ communication would hasten the matter of the road between Opotiki and Gisborne. He enlarged on the necessity of having better communi-

cation with that district, us a great manv Poverty Bav settlers were now going through to, Opotiki. The speaker moved that the chairman sign the petition on behalf of the Union, also that a letter bo sent to the Postmaster-General from tho Union supporting tho proposal. Mr. Elliott, in seconding, instanced that although living in Opotiki County it had taken a fortnight for a reply to a letter sent to Opotiki to reach him. Tho motion was unanimously carried.

THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE. Tho Union’s delegate to the Colonial ' Conference held in AVellington (Mr. AV. Lissant Clayton) gave an instructive verbal account of the work of the Conference, paying special attention.to the Poverty Bay remits. and other matters of interest to the Executive. Tho Executive acknowledged the enthusiasm and ability which had marked Mr. Clayton’s services as delegate, and on tlie motion of the President he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his work. LAND BILL.

The delegate reported that Sir Joseph Ward had undertaken to supply the Colonial Executive with sufficient copies of the new Land Bill, to he distributed to each Provincial Executive. The Colonial President asked the Executives to study- it and make their representations to headquarters b- tile return mail, as that was the only way in which the Colonial Executive could' place its views before the Government. The Minister had invited the opinion of the Farmers’ Union.

It was agreed to call a special meeting of the Executive as soon as tho Bill comes to hand. MR, LAURENSON’S MEETING. Mr. Graham drew attention to Mr. Laurcnson’s meeting on the land question, asking whether it was desired that the Union should be represented. The Executive was oynosod to any representation as a Union, although it might be desirable later to discuss Mr. Laurcnson’s views in the Press or at a meeting for the purpose.