THAMES VALLEY SUB-PROVINCIAL DISTRICT.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 84, 30 May 1918, Page 4

THAMES VALLEY SUB-PRO-VINCIAL DISTRICT.

Executive Meeting. The monthly meeting of the executive of the Thames Valley Sub-Provincial Farmers' union was held on Thursday. There were present Messrs F. C. Hansen, chairman, (Waitoa.), J. B. Thomas (Waihou), J. Whitehouse (Matatoki), C. Smith( Walton), F. C. Barnett (Putaruru), W. H. Allen (Patetere), G. Stewart (Elstow), J. Landells (Lower Waitoaj, P. R. Hubbard (Koraata North), A. Alexander (Hikutaia), W. K. McLean (Kereepehi), H. S. Wright (Netherton) F. W. Walters (Springdale), J. Mayn (Patetonga), W. McLachlan (Morrinsville), W. J. Law (Mana-vVaa-u), A. J. Isdale (Ngongotaha), D. J. O'Carroll (Turua), J. Scott (Ngarua), A. Wright (Mangaiti). The chairman extended a welcome to the new delegates. ORGANISER'S REPORT. The organiser in the course of his report referred to the work of the month. The branch at Manawaru had been revived, and he thought there was a probability ' §1 getting; a membership there of *SO or 60. Ngatea had joined the sub-provincial union and the membership was estimated between 30 and 40. A visit to Hikutaia had resulted in an increase of 12 members. Ngarua, which had originally declined to. come into the scheme, had now changed their opinion and joined. New branches had been formed at Rotorua, Kereepehi, Wardville and Mangaiti. In connection with the latter branch Elstow would lose several members but the union would gain, as many farmers would join at Mangaiti who would otherwise not be members of the Farmers' union. Matatoki had been visited and 15 new members secured. A number of Farmers' Union socials throughout the district had been attended. In reply to Mr McLean the organiser said he thought the new members enrolled were in the vicinity of 600. He could not supply the exact figures until he received returns from all branches, which he had applied for. In reply to Mr Thomas he said there was a debit balance at the bank of £l6B. This lead to a discussion on how to get in subscriptions. Mr Barnett thought each delegate should see that his branch sent in the subscriptions, and he personally would see that the Putaruru branch attended to the matter. The chairman agreed that this was a good idea and "hoped that members would act up to it. Mr H. S. Wright said the Netherton people wanted the organiser to come round and " talk to them a bit " before they paid up. He was afraid Mr McAlpine was going to have a hard time at Netherton. The chairman said it could not be expected that Mr McAlpine could attend every branch at once. He considered the organiser should devote his energies to the "snags," not to farmers who were loyal to the union. Mr J. B. Thomas thought branches would have to consider increasing the subscription ; one of the greatest drawbacks was that delegates had to put their hands in their pockets to pay their expenses. Mr Mayn supported MiThomas. The report was adopted. On the motion of Mr C Smith it was resolved that the organiser's report be forwarded in future to members prior to the meeting. RELIEF FUNDS. The secretary reported he had received the following amounts from various branches to respective funds: Red Cross—Walton £66 19s 6d. King Country Fires —Okauia £2O 7s 6d, Lower Waitoa £23 12s Walton £3l 5s 6d, Tatuanui £7 10s, Hikutaia £7 10s, Putaruru £27 18s, Waihou £lO4 Is 6d. Waitoa £lB -9s, total £240 13s 6d. WAITOA STATION 'PHONE The action of the executive at the last meeting in connection with this matter brought replies from the Hon. W. H. Herries " that it was receiving consideration," and from Mr E. H. Hiley, General Manager of Railways. The latter concluded his letter by' stating " that the Waitoa branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union has been advised of the condition under which a telephone will be installed at the Waitoa station, but they have not so far signified their acceptance of the offer." The chairman: That offer is £5 a year for five years. Mr C. Smith said that 'phones had been put in at other places without these conditions.

Mr Landells stated he had communicated with Mr Poland, M.P., on the matter, and a strong repiesentation had been mad i to the Minister. Mr • Walters said this 'phone had been promised by the Minister. The chairman moved that the secretary reply that the Waitoa branch is not prepared to accept the offer, as the Hon. W. H. Herries had promised to have the 'phono installed at the Railway department's expense, and that a copy of the letter be sent to Mr Poland, M.P. Mr Walters seconded the motion which was carried. VISIT OF MINISTER FOR LANDS. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister for Lands, accepted the union's invitation "to be their guest when visiting the district. The secretary suggested an itinerary, but said he would be seeing the Minister in Auckland next week when ho would fully discuss the matter, and he hoped to make final arrangements then. Mr Mayn pointed out that if there was bad weather cars would not be able to get through to Patetonga. The secretary replied that under those circumstances they might have to come to Patetonga by launch from Ngatea. The matter of fixing an itinerary and making all arrangements was left to the chairman and secretary. APPRECIATION. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr W. K. McLean for the work he had done in connection with the formation of a branch at Keerepehi. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Mr Thomas considered the date of the conference was a fortnight too early to suit the majority of the farmers. He moved that it be a recommendation to the executive that it be arranged in future, if possible, to hold the conference a fortnight later. Mr Alexander seconded the motion which was carried. ELECTRIC POWER.

Mr Whitehouse considered the farmers should take action towards utilising water power for the production of electricity. At present one and a-half millions was being spent in benzine, etc., and this would more than pay interest and sinking fund on any scheme. LADY MEMBERS. Mr Stewart asked if the fees from lady members of branches were touched by the executive. The secretary replied that the branches retained the whole amount. Mr Thomas considered ladies should have the same privilege of voting as the men and moved a motion that the provincial executive be asked to amend the rules in this direction. —Carried. TREE PLANTING. The Ngongotaha branch forwarded a remit that the Government be urged to cease planting trees on level fertile land when there were acres of hilly land available, which is unsuitable for other purposes. On the motion of Mr Thomas seconded by Mr Landells it was decided to support the remit. FERTILISER COMPANY. Mr Walters mentioned that the Fertiliser meeting was called for the Monday morning. This was inconvenient for farmers, and he thought representations should be made to have it put back to the second day of the conference. He moved a motion that the directors of the Fertiliser Coy. be asked in future to arrange the date of the meeting so as to enable farmers wishing to attend to leave on the Monday. The motion was carried. Mr Walters criticised the action of the fertiliser directors in not having purchased manures outside and sold them as had been done the previous year. Mr McLean said one of the things they had to consider was how to make the union so attractive that the man who remained outside was at a disadvantage. He had been thinking over the matter and the solution rested in getting funds. He thought that this might be secured through selling farms. It was immaterial to the farmer to whom he paid commission ; they would not pay more. If half the amount went to the funds of the branch it would not be long before it would be essential that every man with a farm belonged to the union. The union if it had money could follow up its business by sending delegates to interview Ministers and departmental officials, and save the individual farmer the expense. Now the farmer asks "What do I get for my pound, and he expects 30s back in a fortnight." With funds they could give him some direct advantages. He proposed formulating a scheme for organising the land business of the North Island and would refer to the matter at a future meeting.

FARMERS' CANDIDATES. Tho matter originated through a notice of motion sent in by Mr W. K. McLean that the Farmers' union select a representative to contest one of the seats at the next general election. In his leiter he proceeded " If members agree to this I shall move that Mr McAlpine be asked to stand as the farmers' representative." The following reply from Mr McAlpine was read : " Gentlemen —Since receiving Mr McLean's letter I have given the suggestion very careful and serious consideration. We must he very careful not to do anything that would injure the organising movement, and I have been trying to look at this movement from the farmers' viewpoint. If our fellow farmers should, through any action of mine, get the false impression that I was organising the Farmers' union with an ulterior motive, the union may suffer and get a check. Our first aim and consideration must be the organising of our farmers into a solid and complete union so as to be ready to meet the rapidly changing conditions in our commercial world and in which our producers are most vitally concerned. The economic tendency of the world to-day is towards the amalgamation of all interests. The farmers for their own protection must come into line. In my opinion our first endeavor should be to organise the producer, and when that is done parliamentary representation, if still thought necessary, might follow. Personally I should be inclined to refuse nomination if it would in any way conflict or hamper my efforts in my present work of organising. May I suggest, gentlemen, you do not arrive at any definite decision to-day, but refer the matter to your branches for their opinion. I fully appreciate the compliment implied in the mover's action. I trust, gentlemen, you will discuss the motion freely and without any personal regard for me, and anything said will not be taken as personal." Mr Allen asked what particular district it was proposed to nominate Mr McAlpine for. Mr McLean said the point he wished to make was that the branch should make up its mind as to whether it was going to support a representative who understood what the farmers wanted. Replying to Mr Allen he said that depended on the man selected and in which electorate he would have the greatest chance. His main idea in suggesting Mr McAlpine was to give members plenty of time to think over the matter. The sooner they let whoever was selected to stand know he was chosen the better, as it gave the candidate a chance to prepare. Mr Barnett pointed out that the commencement of the motion came from Putaruru. A new electorate including Putaruru. Rotorua and other places had been formed. It had been suggested that the farmers should nominate a candidate. He contended that the meeting was quite justified in trying to put up a member whose views were in accord with the farmers. It was really selecting a candidate for a new district. The chairman suggested that Mr McLean withdraw his motion and allow Mr Barnett to place his views before the meeting in a form of a motion. Mr McLean agreed to this. Mr Smith thought it would be well to discuss whether they were going to take the plunge into politics. When this was settled they could talk about nominating a man. He understood the union was a nonpolitical institution. Mr Lansells moved, and Mr Allen seconded, that consideration of the matter be deferred until next meeting. Mr Barnett agreed to allow his motion to wait over until the next meeting. The motion was carried.