N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 65, 17 January 1918, Page 2

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION

Meeting of Delegates of the Thames Valley Sub-Provincial District Morrinsville Selected as the Headquarters A meeting of the delegates Oj the Thames Valley Sub-provincia district was held on Tuesday in Morrinsville. There were present Messrs J. Bell, L. H. McAlpine (Morrinsville), W. H. Allen (Patetere), F. C. Barnett (Putaruru), C. Smith (Walton), M. J. Thomas (Hikutaia), J. Whitehouse (Matatoki), G. Stewart (Elstow), P. R. Hubbard (Komata North), W. K. McLean (Nether ton), J. S. Mayn (Patetonga), H. Mills (Turua) and Hansen (Waitoa). There were also present Messrs F. W. Walters and J. E. Leeson, acting secretary. Mr J. Bell was in the chair. A letter was read from the delegate of theOkauia branch apologising for his absence, and stating that his branch had decided to join in the movement. He also suggested that Morrinsville be the headquarters. HEADQUARTERS. Mr Mayn moved that Morrinsville be the headquarters. It was admirably situated and had most convenient railway arrangements. ' Mr Allen seconded the motion contending it was the most advantageous centre. Mr McLean pointed out the great future of the Hauraki Plains and the number of farmers who before long would be settled there. He thought they should be considered and if they made the centre too far away they would lose these members. Mr McAlpine said they aimed at a membership of 1,500. As the district grew and settlement got closer the work might become too heavy for any one man, and they might have two or more organisers and possibly a division of the district. He did not think they could look too far ahead.

Mr Mayn pointed out that any other centre than Morrinsville would be extremely inconvenient to the branches on the Hauraki Plains west of the Piako river.

Mr Allen said there was plenty of land down his end, which would be closely settled, and to these settlers Morrinsville was the most convenient centre. Mr Hubbard moved that Te Aroha be the centre. Mr McLean seconded the amendment. Mr J. B. Thomas asked if it was of vital importance to decide that night where 'the headquarters were to be. Mr C. Smith opposed Te Aroha and pointed out that for all delegates residing on the Rotorua line it meant two days’ travelling. Mr Mills considered it should be settled on the line of the least number being affected. Mr McLean contended that if the centre was made too inconvenient the best men would not become delegates. Mr McAlpine pointed out that from the Paeroa end members’ point of view there was no difference in the train arrangements between Morrinsville and Te Aroha. Mr J. B. Thomas suggested making Morrinsville the centre for twelve months and then reviewing the position. Both movers agreed to altering their motions to include the suggestion made by Mr J. B. Thomas. On being put to the vote Morrinsville was carried by 8 votes to 4. DAY OF MEETING. On the motion of Mr Mills seconded by Mr Whitehouse, the third Thursday in the month was appointed as the day of meeting, and the time 12.45. OFFICERS. The following officers were elected President, Mr L. H. McAlpine ; vice-president, Mr J. S. Mayn; treasurer, Mr W. D. Horne (subject to his approval); auditor, referred to president to enquire for applicants; committee, Messrs C. Smith, J. B. Thomas, W. H. Allen. The fee of the auditor was fixed at five guineas to apply from April Ist. SUBSCRIPTION. Mr McAlpine speaking on the amount of the subscription, said at the outset it had been proposed that £1 be the amount. An alternative proposal had now been put forward. This was that the subscription should be on a sliding scale based on the unimproved value of the property of a member. The minimum subscription was £1 on a £2,000 valuation, over that amount the subscription increased by 6d for every £IOO of value. It had been adopted by Te Awamutu, and in an amended form by the King Country.

Mr M. J. Thomas considered they could not put the second scheme, into force until it had been referred to the branches. He thought they should fix the subscription at £1 and it could be altered, if desired, at the end of the financial year (March 31st). He approved of the scheme and considered it a fair one. Mr Mayn contended the graduated scheme was fairest. He favored deferring the matter of the subscription until next meeting. It might cause dissatisfaction if they fixed £1 now and then altered it. Mr. McLean was in favor of deciding the matter that night. Personally he was in favor of the graduated scale. Mr Mills said the position would be that the delegates would ask their branches for instructions on the matter. Mr Allen contended that at an earlier meeting the subscription was fixed at £1 and it would be better to keep to that to the end of the year. Mr Hubbard agreed with Mr Allen and pointed out the memmembership cards stated the subscription was to be a pound. Mr J. B. Thomas pointed out that they had canvassed for members on the pound basis, and any alteration would mean they would have to go all over the ground again. Mr Smith thought that if some members knew they might be called upon to pay £5 they would have had nothing to do with the scheme. Should the union ask for any subscription for the -remaining period of the year created some discussion. Some members favored starting the year on April Ist and collecting no subscription for the remaining period of the present year. Mr Allen pointed out that at Tirau and Putaruru, in many instances, members had paid the 5/- for the three months. Mr Barnett said the Putaruru branch regarded the subscription of 5/- as a quarter’s payment. They now had 30 members and he hoped very soon that it would be 50. Mr. McLean pointed out that Putaruru was a new branch, which placed it in a different position to the older branches. Mr Mayn suggested crediting members with the amount they had paid to their next year’s subscription. It was moved that the subscription start from April Ist, and that in all cases where 5/- has been paid it be credited to their subscription. Mr. McAlpine pointed out that carrying this resolution meant dropping the discussion on the graduated scheme. He thought it would be best to go on until the end of the financial year without any subscription. The branches could discuss the proposals, but delegates should inform the branches that the executive retained the right of the final decision. After further discussion the motion was withdrawn. Mr M. J. Thomas moved that the subscription for the year from April Ist be £l, and that no subscription be collected until April Ist, and that any amount paid be credited to next year’s subsciption. Mr Smith seconded the motion which was carried. SECRETARY. What salary the secretary should be paid caused a great deal of discussion. There was a difference of opinion as to the basis, should it be a fixed salary or a salary and a commission. No decision was arrived at and by 8 votes to 6 it was decided to refer the matter to the committee to obtain information, define duties and report to a special meeting. THANKS. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded the acting secretary (Mr J. E. Leeson) and the chairman.