FARMERS' UNION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 101, 9 October 1908, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

Otorohanga Branch

The cridnary monthly meeting of the above Union was bold on September 20th. There were present: Messrs John Ormsby (Chairman), R. J. Kanby, A. J. Ross, R. J. Gregg, R. G-. Matthews, C, J. Johnson, H. Mander.e. and H. Quinn. hen. secretary and treasurer. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Ihc outward correspondence was explained by the hon. secretary and the mwaru was read and generally discussed. Among the latter correspondence were lectors from the Traliic Manager of Railways, re delaying the evening train en Ohaupo sale days, promising to endeavour to meet the wishes of the Union; from the Hon. the Minister of Labour acknowledging receipt of letter from the secretary containing the Union's resolution condemning the provisions of the Shearers Accommodation Bill, which is now before Parliament, the Minister stating that the resolution passed by the Union and fowarded to him will be very carefully considered ; from W. T. Bowater, Esq., asking for the support of the Union generally in the forthcoming election campaign, in which he is a candidate for Parliamentary honours for the Taumarunui electorate. Mr Bowater enclosed his photograph —he is not a bad-looking man; a wire from the present member for Taumarunui, Mr Jennings, in reply to one sent to him by the secretary, stating that he was in accord with the planks of the platform of the -N.Z.F.U. a letter from the Chief Health Officer granting the request of the Union by subsidising the local chemist who has to supply medicines to indigent Natives free of cost. Also letters from the Dominion secretary of the Union re questions to be asked Parliamentary candidates; from the Provincial Secretary, Auckland, on local business matters, and from many new people in different parts of this district, asking to be enrolled as members of this Branch of the Union Mr Ranby proposed that Mr Bov/ater be written to by the secretary suggesting to him that in the interests of his candidature for the electorate he should address a public meeting at Otorohanga at an early date. Mr C. J. Johnson seconded. — Carried.

Mr R. S. Matthews proposed that the secretary write to the Health Department thanking them for the yearly grant of £25 to the local chemist, but also pointing out- to them that the amount in question is considered inadequate. Mr H. Mandeno seconded. — Carried.

Mr A. J. Ross presented a petition to the Union, and proposed that the secretary forward same to the Minister of Railways through the member for the district. Mr Mandeno seconded, — Carried. The petition was for the erection of a goodshed at Kio Kio Railway Station. Mr A. J. Ross proposed that the secretary write to the Postmaster-General asking for a telephone service at Kio Kio. Mr R. F. Gregg seconded. —Carried

The Sercetary proposed the following new members for this Branch: — Messrs Frank Macmanemin, Auckland; Wylie, sen., Kio Kio; Henry Sutton, Waitomo; Wm. Simpson, Kio Kio; J. W. W. Seymour, Otorohanga; James Hoisman, Otorohanga; James Macmanimen, Hauturu. Mr R. G. Gregg seconded and all were duly elected members.

The membership of this Branch is now very lai'ge, and steadily increasing as settlement advances and new people come into the district. The reason for the general air of prosperity about this Branch is probably owing to the fact of their having many live members among them, who are not afraid to put themselves out for the general good of their district and the farming community as a whole. They have also been very successful as a whole in obtaining grants for public works asked for the district, as the estimates for road works in this locality amply testify. In fact they seem to be an exact facsimile of the list of urgent works asked for by the Union and set out in a petition recently sent to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works.

The farming community are, it is very pleasing to note, now awakening from their long "siesta" or sleeping sickness, and are now determined to have a share in the making of the land of their birth or adoption. It seems strange that they have slumbered so long; as the farmer is the most powerful man in "Gods Own Country," if he only knew it and understood it, and why should he not be? does he-not create most of the wealth? does he not share most of the hardships and vicissitudes? does he not, whilst he is in the embryo state convert the wilderness into smiling pastures? The farmers owe a duty to thencountry and posterity, and they have evidently now realized it.