FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2186, 9 May 1908, Page 1

FARMERS’ UNION.

I’ROINOIAL EXECUTIVE 1

The annual meeting of tlio Provincial Executive of the Farmers 1 Union was hold yertenlay. Present: Messrs. A. It. 1 AVatson (chairman), W. D. S. MacDonald, T. Holden, J. A. Caesar, AV. L. Clayton, Hutchinson, and Kent. A copy of the following resolution was received from tho Taranaki branch of tho Farmors’ Union: “That this oxocutivo is of tho opinion that tho law ought to bo so amended that farmers cannot be cited before'the; Conciliation Board unless a majority of the Farm Laborers Union is in fav-, or of tho same, and mombors of such Union are composed of a majority .‘of farm laborers in the district.” As there is no Farm Laborers Union in this die'.riot no action was taken. , , A circular was received from tho Colonial Executive of tho > Farmers’ Union entitled “Taxation and Farming Legislation.” _ - , VjfU Tho chairman said ho had 1 written* suggesting that. 4 stronger -appeal should bo made to farmers to support tho party in Parliament whoso views most nearly coincided with their interests. On tho motion of Mr. Clayton tho chairman’s action was endorsed. Mr. MacDonald, drew .attention to tho fact that the Government was spending about £3OO on tho Opotiki road in tho' Motu district, and thought' that as tho road was tho main stock route between the Bay of Plenty and Poverty Bay, the Government should be-urged to comploto the formation of tho road. The suggestion was agreed to. Air MacDonald said that some time ago the settlers in theltakauron district raised loans amounting to £4550 to form roads in tho district. Tho Cook County Council had voted £SOO to tlio work, and £6OO had been received from tlio Government, whilst £IOOO had been spent on tho old Patiitahi road. The Public Works Department was using tho road upon which the loan was spent, to cart material for building the railway, and Mr. Carroll had promised a vote of from £750 to £IOOO towards the cost of the work, but only £2OO was placed upon the Estimates la6t session. He thought the Government should bo urged to make a substantial grant towards forming the road. Other members expressed similiar opinions, and it was decided to lay the position before the Minister. RAILWAY MATTERS. Air. AlacDonald also drew attention to the fact that the section of the railway line to Willows Crossing would bo opened for traffic in about two months time, and lie thought theExecutive might co-operative with tho East Coast Railway League in urging tho Government to push on the line. Three timber companies had obtained rights in the Alotu districts, and a, big industry would be opened up if tho lino was completed to Rakauroa within the next two years. Air. Caesar drew attention to the out-of-dato and almost- useless locomotives employed on the line, anl stated that one engine was nearly thirty years old and absolutely obsolete. He also did not think the Department should charge first-class fares for travelling in the old carriages that were running on the line. . It was decided to bring both matters under the notice of the Railway Department, Mr. AlacDonald said that rabbits had been discovered and killed, eightmiles from and sometrimg should be done to stop tho. invasion of rabbits into tho Cook County. He thought the Government should appoint inspectors to try to keep tlio P on tho motion of Air. AlacDonald it was decided to bring the matter under tho notice of the Department of Agriculture. . . Air. Caesar moved that tho Agricultural Department be asked to issue regulations to prevent farmers from allowing cattlo affected with the organism that causes contagious abortion from running with other herds. The motion was adopted. Tho annual conference of delegates was appointed to bo held on Alonday 15th, and the meeting closed.