FARMERS' UNION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 369, 14 June 1911, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

OTOROHANGA BRANCH. The ordinary meeting of this branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held on Friday, 9th inst., in Mr Vicary's office. Present: Mr R. G. Matthews, Chairman, and Messrs Thos Turner, Wm. Vicary, Jno. Willis Chas Johnson, and the Secretary, Mr H. M. Quin. Correspondence was dealt with as

follows: — From the Under-Secretary of Justice, stating that the matter of the erection of a new Courthouse at Otorohanga was now receiving the attention of the Department.- Received. ' . „

From W. T. Jennings, Esq., M.P., re the appointment of a solicitor at Otorohanga to represent the Advances to Settlers Department. — From the Superintendent of New Zealand Stateguaranteed Advances Office, stating that it was not yet deemed necessary to make such appointment at present. —lt was proposed by Mr Vicary that the Secretary be instructed to again. communicate with the Minister for Justice, pointing out that the matter of the appointing of a solicitor would cost the Crown nothing, and would be meeting the wishes of the whole of the settlers in this district. —Seconded by Mr C. Johnson and carried. From the Secretary, KioKio Branch sending an invitation to members and y their friends to attend a social to be -■ held at that place on 13th inst.— Received.

From Acting District Traffic Manager, New Zealand Railways, Auckland Section, acceding to the wishes of the Union re running a passenger car on goods trains between Taumarunui and Frankton Junction.—Received.

From provisional Secretary Farmers' Union enclosing price lists of the Farmers' Union Trading and Indenting Association, Ltd. —Received. From Mr Gerald Cutfield re mem-bership.--Left in the hands of the Secretary to deal with. Sowing Orongo Road. —It was proposed by Mr R. G. Matthews that the Secretary he instructed to communicate with Mr Burd, Road Engineer, pointing out that although the Orongo Road, Orahiri district, has been felled and burned for a very considerable time, the road has not yet been sown with grass-seed.— Seconded by Mr Willis and carried.,

Farmers* Union Social. — It was proposed by Mr Willis that a social be held at Otorohanga during next month, and that the following gentlemen be formed into a committee to make the necessary arrangements: Mesrss R. G. Matthews, H. M. Quinn, J. Willis, W. Vicary, T. Turner, and C. Johnson, with power to to their number.— Seconded by Mr Johnson and carried.

Mr Thos. Strahan was duly elected a member of the branch. Considerable discussion took place amongst those present regarding the large number of members who are in arrears with their subscriptions,and it was the general opinion that steps will now have to be taken to bring the worst offenders to book. The sentiment was generaily expressed that farmers who would not pay 10s a year to their Union in order to protect their own interests, could not have the welfare of the farming community at heart, and their laxity in this respect did not compare very favourably with members of other Unions in the Dominion, some of them formed and run against the best interests of the men on the land. It is hoped that members will see that it is necessary for them to pay their annual subscriptions in order to keep their Union together, thereby farthering their own interests, and those of the district in general. -