FARMERS' UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16485, 26 February 1914, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of-the executive of the North Canterbury District of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was hold yesterday.; present—Messrs C. H. Ensor (in the chair), G. Gardner, G. Sheat, W. Bailey, R. Evans, F. G. Howell, F. G. Livingstone, J. W. Patchett and S. Weld. FAR.Uiw.iS' BANKS. '•'.

Tho chairman reviewed, the pact month from tho viewpoint of the farmer: In North Canterbury they were fairly well through with the harvest, but in South Canterbury about threequarters of the grain was still standing and there would probably be ia great deal of. waste. The prices, ho thought, would be firm, and they anight presume that good milling wheat was going to be a better price than at present. At the last meeting ho iiad brought forward a suggestion that farmers might be assisted in their banking operations. He believed that banking conditions among the farmers could be greatly improved, and if tho Farmers' Union could do as much for tho farmers in this respect as it had done last year to better the conditions of farm ■ labourers its: work would be greatly appreciated. He had written to tho Prime Minister regarding the subject of farmers' banks, and Mr Massey had replied that he would bo glad to take an early opportunity of discussing the proposal with th r ' Hon J. Allen, and that after conferring with his colleague he would write further regarding the matter. . RESIGNATION, , ' . Mr 0,. W. Holland;,wrote, tendering his resignation as a .member of. the executive, on account of his removal from Greendale to a suburban home. He expressed his warmest sympathy with every movement calculated to improve the farmers' lot in life, and he was more and more impressed with the necessity of farmers uniting for their mutual help and protection. Mr Horrell moved that Mr Holland should bo a*sked, to retain his seat until after tho next provincial, conference, i ■

Mr Sheat seconded the motion, which was carried. The chairman stated he had an important matter to bring forward. Their secretary, Mr W. F. riilscn, had found it necessary to relinquish his position owing to the pressure of other duties. It was with much regret that he had heard the news, but he had arranged with Mr Hilson to continue until the end of the financial yeur. PANAMA EXPOSITION.

A letter was received from tho Department of Agriculture, Industries and Commerce, stating that the Wovt rnment proposed to expend a sufficient sum in exhibiting the primary products and manufactures of the dominion at tho Panama Exposition to be held in San Francisco next year. It was suggested that a central committee should be set up in Wellington, with advisory committees in tho other -principal cities. Tho chairman said that it appeared as if New Zealand would make an exhibition of produce if possible. It had been anticipated that exhibitors could get their produce free Tioth ways, and he though:, tho Union should assist the central committee all it could in the matter. If any member could bring forward produce, stock or grain the Union should do its best to see that he was given assistance. It was worth their while to send good samples of New Zealand produce, as he thought that a big trade would be set up before long between New .Zealand and America. MISCELLANEOUS. The secretary of the Technical College wrote, stating that the Board had received notice from the Education Department that it was proposed to amend tho regulation relating to the election of representatives of contributing bodies, so that these elections might take place in May or Juno of each year, instead of January or February, as in the past. A letter from the Minister of Railways regarding the rate charged on imported hardwoods stated that the matter would receive consideration when the revision of the tariff was in hand. J The Advisory Committee wrote, stating that the levy had been fixed for 1914-15 at 3s per member, which was an increase of 6d on the present year. The Canterbury Chamber of Commorce wrote, stating that an address on the subject of handling produce at the Port "of London would be given by Mr J. H. Estill, commercial superintendent of the Port of London Authority on Friday, in the Chamber Hall, at 3 p.m. Members of tho Union were cordially invited to attend.