FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2223, 22 June 1908, Page 1

FARMERS’ UNION.

GISBORNE BRANCH. MONTHLY MEETING. ' A general meeting of the Gisborne branch of the New Zealand .Farmers’ Union was held on Saturday afternoon, the Chairm-in (Mr. AV. D. Ly-u----nar) in the clmir.

A communication was received from the Hon Hall.Joncs .Minister for Public Works, advising that it was intended to ask Parliament for a vote for the extension of the railwuv line to Rakauroa. and tho Union's representations as to the desirability of the vote being a substantial one would be borne in mind.

In referring to tlio shortage of trucks for carrying stock on t-lie ilailway, the Chairman suggested the Union should ascertain from farmers the qnmtity of stock likely to be sent forward, and the figures ho represented to Parliament along with a request for additional rolling stock..

FINANCE. Air. vßirrell brought up tho matter of the Union’s finance, complaining that the -farmers did not support the Union as they should. He moved that a committee meeting be held next Saturday to consider tlio nutter.

The Chairman stated that since the new secretary (Air. Ward) had been appointed he had collected A'27 -for the Union and tho Club.

The question was informally discussed at some -length, and the motion was adopted. It was decided to support the requisition to the Prime Alinister for a continuous telephone service. EAlt-AIARKING SHEEP. In referring to the regulation controlling the ear-marking of sheep, Mr. Aladdison stated that ho had been told by an official of the Stock Department that farmers were not sincere in their request for a reform. To show that farmers were sincere, lie was circulating a petition to Parliament asking for better regulations, and laid the requisition oil the ta-blo for signatures. PROVINCIAL CON HER ENCID.

The Chairman, in the course of a report upon tho business transactions of tlio recent Provincial Conference, said tlio most important was that authorising Provincial Executives to select Parliamentary candidates. Ho

had opposed the resolution, but it was carried, and went forward as a recommendation to the Colonial Conference. which had up till now opopposed it. He thought it was a pity this subject had been introduced -in the Union, and it was open to the branch to make representation fo tho Colonial Conference on the subject.

INVASION OF RABBITiS

The Chairniiii moved that in view of the press reports of the prcreiico of rabbits on the northern side of the Mol)aka. river he thought they should draw the Govern ment’-s attention to tho report, and request them to ascertain whether it was so—in which case it would lie necessary to take extra precautions.

A motion to that effect was called, and the meeting adjourned.