NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 10 October 1918, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

KAIPARA SUB-PROVINCIAL

DISTRCT.

A MEETING- of delegates was held in the Unions's office, Helensville, on Monday September 30.

The President, Mr Edwin A. Harding, occupied the chair.

Present, — Messrs Hamilton (Warkworth), Gibbs (Paparoa), Morgan (Te Koporu), McHardy (Te Arai), Gieson (Arapohue), Dunn (Raupo), Thompson (Port Albert), Morrison (Kaipara Flats), Ashworth (Omaha), McDurmott (Avoca), W. J. Scholium (Puhoi), Stevenson (Tauhoa), Wilson (Wellsford), Appleton (Hoanga), Mason (Helensville), Snelling (Kaukapakapa), Witherford (Wharehine), J. McLeod (Helensville), and the Organising Secretary (Mr T. A. Cooper).

Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed.

A letter was received from the Secretary of Te Koporu Branch regretting Mr Stallworthy's inability to attend meeting on account of ill-health, and appointing Mr W. A. Morgan to act in his stead.

On the motion of the President a vote of sympathy was accorded to Mr Stallworthv.

The Organiser then read his report and balance-sheet, duly audited, both of which were adopted.

The Secretary was instructed to-forward a copy of the balance sheet to each branch.

Mr Jas. McLeod then gave a verbal report of his stewardship in regard to his services in procuring offices and board room, and was pleased to inform them that he had secured the present room at a rental of 10s per week, and that acting under his instructions the Secretary had obtained an option over 3 sections with a right to purchase. He had communicated with his codirectors of the N.A. Farmers' Co-operative Ltd., and the chairman, Mr M. Harding was present, and both he and himself had power to act. They were quite prepared to take the option over and to allow the Union to have the use of the building.

After much discussion, Mr Harding offered to take up the option and give the Farmers' Union sufficient accommodation at a rental of 10s per week for a period of 12 years. This was unanimously agreed to, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs Harding and McLeod.

A. letter from the Executive Council was read, asking the Union to appoint a delegate to represent the district to discuss the matter of the cattle tick pest, and the auctioneering companys' objection to the precautions of the Agricultural Department.

Mr Jas McLeod was appointed a delegate to attend the meeting of conference, and to protest against the restrictions until further particulars were received.

Mr Appleton was appointed a delegate to attend the conference re prices of seedy wool.

The appointment of Secretary was then proceeded with, there being 61 applicants for the position. These had been submitted to a committee and the number reduced to 13. After further going over the applications they were reduced to seven, and it was decided that a subcommittee consisting of the President, Messrs Gieson and McLeod, be appointed to interview the remaining seven before making a selection, with power to act.

The following remits were read and considered : —■

Hoanga Branch.—That the attention of the Government be drawn to the increasing difficulty of obtaining fencing wire, manure and other essentials to farming, which will very shortly affect the country's output of food-stuffs hj^^pssening the carrying UPBfcy of the land ; while no suchaifficulty exists in obtaining motor cars and other luxuries. This was taken together with 9 Kaukapakapa remit No. 1, bearing on the same subject. After discussion the remit was unanimously adopted, to be forwarded on to the Provincial Executive, on the motion of Mr Gieson, seconded by Mr Steventon.

Tangiteroria Branch. — That this branch considers that the private dealing among the staffs of the auctioneering firms should be stopped. Also that the charges of commission on sale of stock are excessive.

'On the motion Mr Harding, seconded by Mr Snelling, the

remit was deferred on account of the absence of the branches delegates.

Dargaville Branch.—That the Government be urged to make a soil survey of the Dominion.

The President, in advocating the adoption of this remit, illustrated the immense amount of good that could be done in this way, and of what great value it would be to the farming community. He proposed that the remit be adopted, referred back to the different brances, and also to the Provincial Executive. This was seconded by Mr Gibbs and carried unanimously.

Warkworth Branch, No. 1. — That we agree with the decision of the Auckland Executive with regards to the Auckland Headmasters' Association as set out in their circular, with the additional recommendation that more adequate grants be made for providing school accommodation and teachers' residences in country districts.

Mr Gibbs requested that Paparoa No. 1 remit be taken with Warkworth No 1. Both Messrs Hamilton and Gibbs strongly advocated the adoption of this remit and the forwarding of the same to the Provincial Executive illustrating many instances, and on the motion of Mr Hamilton, seconded by Mr Gibbs, this was done.

Paparoa No. 2, bearing on the same subject was next taken — That the salaries offered to male teachers are insufficient, and would support a more liberal remuneration with a view to encourage men of ability.

Mr Gibbs in support of his Banche's remit pointed out how many good men who were keen teachers had to give up their profession on account of the small salaries offering in comparison with other work to which they were adapted. He moved that the remit be adopted and referred to the Provincial Executive. This was seconded by Mr Morgan (who also spoke strongly on the subject), and carried unanimously.

Warkworth No. 2—.That the Farmers' Union protest against the system whereby returned soldiers pay rates on a higher or later valuation than civilians in the same district.

Mr Hamilton in strongly advocating the adoption of his Branches remit expressed tha the had not the data that was promised him, but he could assure members that there were returned men who were paying rates on their country valued at £8 per acre, and civilians alonside only paying rates on better improved country valued at 25s per acre. A good deal of discussion took place on this remit, and on the motion of Mr Hamilton, seconded by Mr Snelling, the remit was unanimously adopted and re ferred back to branches for consideration.

Avoca Branch. —In view of the shortage of shipping it is desirable that the Farmers' Union should form a co-operative shipping company, or as an alternative the Government be approached to form a State-owned fleet.

Mr McDermott strongly recommended the adoption of this remit pointing out that the position was getting more serious every day.

Mr Gibbs pointed out that Mr Lynsar had explained that this matter was already in hand, and there was going to be little trouble in getting plenty of money for the same.

The President moved that the remit be forwarded to the branches in the Kaipara Subprovincial area with the following proposal—"That steps should at once be taken to promote the oooperation of all farming organisations, such as Co-operative Auctioneering Companies, Freezing and Dairy Companies, general merchants importing and exporting, and the Government for the establishment of a New Zealand line of shipping, Ftate endowed, and managed by a board of business men." This was seconded by Mr McDermott and carrid, Te Kopuru Branch.—-That the Sub-provincial Executive apply to the Kaipara Steamship Co. for free passes for our delegates. Mr Morgan in speaking on his I Branch's remit thought perhaps they should not ask for so much. They might succeed in getting half rebate, which would be better than getting refused. The President differed and hoped Mr Morgan would stick strictly to his remit. This was an important body. He knew Mr Nichol as a generous man,and he for one did not fear approaching the Company. This Executive, he felt, would soon show their weight and would be recognised as a strong body, Mr Morgan.

thereupon moved the original remit, which was seconded by Mr Harding and carried.

Raupo Branch. —That all returned soldiers be allowed to become members of the Union for twelve months after their return, free of subscription.

Mr Dunn said he did not move for the adoption of this remit, his branch realising that this was really a matter for the respective branches, but it was forwarded for information. He would now take the opportunity of asking the Provincial Organiser if the branches in doing this were not involving this Executive to a liability as a levy on each soldier member to the Provincial and Dominion Executives.

Mr Cooper replied that he had had differences of opinion with Mr Huey, the Provincial Secretary, as to whether he should take half levies on honorary and lady members that were accepted on paying half subscription. He therefore reckoned if the Provincial Secretary insisted on taking half levies on members that paid half subscription he would hardly claim full levy on members accepted without any subscription, There was, however, no ruling on the matter. The idea of inviting returned soldiers originated with the Provincial Executive who wished the returned men to take advantage of the Union and be in a position to put their grievances before their respective branches and thus get the support and sympathy of practical men.

Kaukapakapa Branch No. 2. — That the contract with the Imperial Government for the purchase of meat at fixed prices for three months after the war be extended to 12 months.

After a little discussion the remit was adopted and referred back to branches for consideration, on the motion of Mr Snelling, seconded by Mr Gibbs.

Kaukapakapa Branch No. 3. — That the Government be asked to give a grant to connect up the unmetalled parts of the road from the Kaukapakapa lime works to the Kaukapakapa station to facilitate the supplying of lime to the settlers.

The President objected to this remit on the grounds it was of merely local enterprise ; he felt it was not a matter for this body.

Mr Gieson contended the remit was unconstitutional; it was a matter in which the Kaukapakapa settlers should approach their County Council.

Mr McLeod endorsed the last