THAMES VALLEY SUB-PROVINCIAL UNION.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 73, 14 March 1918, Page 2

THAMES VALLEY SUB-PRO-VINCIAL UNION.

Executive Meeting. The monthly meeting of the executive of the Thames Valley Sub-provincial Union was held on Tuesday at the union’s offices in Morrinsville. There wore present Messrs F. C. Hansen, chairman (Waitoa), J. B. Thomas (Waihou), F. W. Walters (Springdale), J. Whitehouse (Matakoki), C. Smith (Walton), F. C. Barnett (Putaruru), W. H. Allen (Patetere), M. J. Thomas (Ilikutaia), S. Whyte (Okauia), G. Stewart (Elstow), E. C. Auld (Lower Waitoa), P. R. Hubbard (Komata North), W. J. McDonald (Tatuanui), J. S. Mayn (Patetonga). ORGANISER’S REPORT. The organiser in his report stated since the last meeting three new branches had been formed, viz. Lower Waitoa, Tatuanui and Springdale. A subject he wished the meeting to determine was that of encouraging the establishment of small branches. The organiser favored the small branch because many men would join a branch near their homes, who would not go further away to attend a larger one. Mr Smith: Is there a minimum in membership ? Mr McAlpine: Yes. Fifteen, but that is not always stuck to. Mr Walters supported the small branches and thought they should not stick at 15 members. In his opinion it would assist the union in approaching the Government, and he stressed the importance of numbers. Mr Stewart spoke in favor of the proposal. Mr J. B. Thomas moved that in the opinion of the committee small branches be formed. Mr Hubbard, whilst agreeing with the motion, thought that branches which had only ten members should not be entitled to a delegate, but should join up with another small branch to have a conjoint delegate. Mr Allen seconded the motion, and agreed witty Mr Hubbard that representation should not be the same for small branches as for larger ones. The organiser pointed out t.hat if the representation was based on the membership it would strike at the roots of the union. The idea was that every branch should be represented at the executive meeting so that the delegate could report to his branch “ I would sooner push out the end ot the room and put in some more chairs than have the representation limited.”

Mr Barnett spoke in favor of big branches, and urged the amalgamation of small districts, contending that the big membership gave the branch not only power but worked for better meetings. He admitted there must be small branches, but he favored amalgamating them as much as possible. Mr Whyte said there was always the question of finance to consider with small branches. The motion was carried.

Continuing the organiser said he had purchased a car at £220. He had interviewed the secretary and directors of the Farmers’ Auctioneering Coy., and it had been arranged to send out circulars from candidates for the directorate with the ballot papers to the shareholders. An overdraft of £3OO had been arranged at the bank. He asked for authority to try and secure an over-riding commission from the directors of the Trading company on all purchases from the district. So far he had not been able to get a typiste. He had been unable to arrange a picnic, and it had been suggested it should be held up until after sow-ing-time, that is as far as Morrinsville was concerned. He had asked the Thames end to suggest a suitable date. Mr Whitehouse, in moving the adoption'of the report, congratulated the organiser on its comprehensive nature. Mr Stewart seconded the motion which was carried. PICNIC. Messrs M. Thomas and Whitehouse were unable to suggest a date for a picnic at the Thames end. Mr Allen suggested holding a social instead of a picnic, a view in which Mr Smith concurred. “ The picnic idea appears dead as far as this year is concerned,” remarked the chairman. Mr Barnett said the Putaruru branch intended running a picnic shortly, “ just to keep the branch thoroughly alive and bring the people together.” THE FREEHOLD. “ To request the Government to give the holders of endowment lands the option of the freehold ” was a remit forwarded by the Putaruru branch. Messrs Barnett and McGowan were a deputation supporting the request.

Mr Barnett said there was a large amount of endowment land to the back of Putaruru. It required to be cleaved, ploughed and manured, and he thought in the interests of the country ihe freehold was the preferable system. The endowment might apply to the better class of land, but not to this. If the land was sold the capital could he profitably invested. Mr McGowan spoke supporting the remit, and thought if it were freehold the district would be more prosperous. There were 20,000 acres idle, and would be idle as long as it was endowment. Mr Allen supported the remit. The first few years a man had to spend money in consolidating the land, and when it was worked up his lease expired. Mr J. B. Thomas thought that all farming lands should be on the freehold tenure. He considered the price should be the unimproved value to-day, not the original cost. Mr Barnett said the price was for the Government to settle. Mr McAlpine pointed out the country in question was totaliy unsuited for leasing. He did not believe anyone would take up the land on a 21 years’ lease. The Putaruru remit was agreed to, and it was decided to forward it to the Auckland executive. AN OKAUIA REQUEST. Mr Whyte asked support to a petition from the Okauia branch and district, 18 signatures being appended, to the Hon. W. H. Herries asking the Government to acquire a block of 710 acres of land at Okauia owned by Mr A. Larsen. It was alleged that the block was not improved and was left in fern and ti tree, and it was asked that the Government should take over the block for returned soldiers. The meeting supported the petition. TRAVELLING EXPENSES. Mr Allen mentioned the matter of travelling expenses for delegates. He thought it should be definitely decided whether the branch or the sub-provincial union should pay. The organiser remarked that at the present the sub-provincial union could not say whether it would be able to pay the delegates’ expenses.

A member: That means the branch pays the travelling expenses, and if it can’t the delegate pays his own.

Mr Hubbard considered the system of making the branches pay their delegates’ expenses penalised the branch which had a small membership and was distant from the place of meeting.

The general opinion was that as soon as the union’s finances permitted it would pay the delegates’ expenses. INSPECTION OF MEAT.

The chairman said that the Waitoa branch was moving to have all meat sold in the district inspected. There was no inspection in the 'Te Aroha and Morrinsville districts of beef or mutton. “It was a pretty rotten thing to be eating meat which might be diseased.”

Mr Walters contended that all cattle condemned at the sale yards “to be killed subject to inspection ” should be sent to Horotiu and not to the butchers.

MrMayn gave his opinion the whole thing hinged on the law. A general discussion would not do a great deal of good. The chairman: But an agitation may.

Mr Stewart asked what happened when a beast was condemned by the inspector at a butcher’s yards ? Did he see it destroyed or was it boiled down for the pigs ? The chairman said he had ascertained that a town with over 2000 population could erect abattoirs, under that population a vote had to be taken on the subject. Mr Walters moved a remit for the Auckland conference that all stock sold “ subject to inspection by reason of apparent disease ” must be killed at recognised manure works. The chairman seconded the motion which was carried. BENZINE. “ What’s the chance of getting benzine ? asked Mr Hubbard. “ I hear that there will be a full supply in April ” replied the organiser. Mr Whitehouse suggested that the secretary obtain information and prices and advise branches. POLITICAL REPRESENTA- , TION. Mr Barnett asked if the union was taking any action in regard to representation for the new Rotorua electorate. The organiser said the attitude taken up by the union was that it should take no part as a political institution. There were others, and he was one, who held the view that the farmer should

have direct representation in Parliament. (Hear hear). He spoke strongly of the necessity of the farmers having political representation, not pledged to vote for Massey or Ward or any other 4 ite ’ but to work and vote for the farmer. It is scandalous the way the farmer has been hoodwinked in the past three years.” Mr Walters: It’s nothing to what he will be during the next three. Mr McAlpine: That’s why he should have his representatives in Parliament. Mr Barnett suggested interviewing the candidates to ascertain their views and he hoped members would not give a pledge until they had heard from the executive.

Mr Allen supported Mr Barnett and considered he had put forward a wise suggestion, Mr Walters said he would not have joined the Farmers Union had he not thought some political action was to be taken. Mr J. fB. Thomas said that if the present parties would not support the farmer the time was ripe to form a farmers’ party. Mr Smith thought it would be better to thoroughly agree on a platform before going into the campaign. Mr Stewart stated a socialist had told him that the socialists were going to carry the three new seats in the North Island. Mr Smith : An optimist. Mr Mayn considered farmers should take up politics as a body. As a class they were entitled to representation. Mr Barnett moved that members of the executive request members of all branches to defer pledging their vote until the Farmers’ Union selects its nominee. Mr Walters seconded the motion which was carried. GENERAL. The president and secretary were authorised to sign cheques. In reply to Mr Walters the organiser said a meeting would be held after Easter to discuss the amalgamation of the Auctioneering Co. and the Trading Association. Mr J. B. Thomas asked what steps were being taken to get subscriptions in. The organiser explained the process in vogu9.