EXECUTIVE MEETING.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 126, 3 April 1919, Page 4

EXECUTIVE MEETING.

Thames Valley Sub-pro-vincial Union. There were present at Thursday’s meeting the president, Mr F. C. Hansen (in the chair), J. Scott (Ngarua), T. Parkinson (Motumaoho), J. W. Law (Manawaru), C. E. Old (Lower Waitoa), J. S. Mayne (Patetonga), P. Rushton (Tatuanui), W. McLachlan (Morrinsville), G. Stewart (Te Aroha), S. McGowan (Putaruru), J. Whitehouse (Matatoki), C. C. Neal (Omahine), J. B. Thomas (Waihou), W. H. Allen (Tirau), F. W. Walters (Springdale). ORGANISER’S REPORT. The organiser in his report stated that since the last meeting he has been employed upon general organising work and had attended many monthly meetings of branches, although he was afraid that branch secretaries and delegates did not make use of his services as they might, probably out of consideration to himself, they hesitate to call upon him unless absolutely necessary. He thanked them for this consideration, but would prefer being notified of each meeting so that when possible lie could fit the meeting into his general movements. Reference was mado to the meetings in connection with hydro-electric matters and the visit of the Morrinsville, Motumaoho and Tatuanui branches to the Ruakura farm. He had attended the conference in Auckland re alterations in the methods of running the union, and the meeting had accepted Mr Boddie’s scheme almost in its entirety. The Hamilton sub-provincial executive had unanimously approved of entering the political arena and the formation of a farmers’party. The necessity for this change has been brought home to our members by the obvious indifference and antagonism of our Government toward the producers of this country. The embargo placed on the export of hides, skins, and new potatoes, has had the effect of opening the eyes of the old leaders “ who up to now have been afraid to enter the political world ’’ to the fact that this step is the only one left to protect our interests. Regarding the Land department he drew the attention of all delegates and branch members to the fact that so far not a single buyer has been introduced by any member of the union. He felt sure that when members realise that the whole expense of running the sub-provincial district is to be paid out of earnings, they will help by sending names of probable buyers of land, thereby not only helping the general funds, but also of the branch to which the party belongs who sends him the introduction to the extent of 10 per cent, of commission earned by the introduction. POLITICS. In the absence of Mr F. C. Barnett, Mr McAlpine moved and the president seconded the notice of motion that the union confirms the principle that the Farmers’ union enters politics. Mr McAlpine strongly supported the motion, instancing the manner in which tho farmers of the country were being treated by the N.Z. and Imperial Goverments as regards the purchase of products. Mr McLachlan said he and his branch favored the adoption of a platform, but not the selection of candidates. A sehemo was wanted by which the farmers should be organised to support their own platform. Mr J. B. Thomas said the platform should be brought thoroughly up-to-date. It should not he narrow, but should be of a liberal character advocating not only the farmers but tho people’s rights. The Farmers’ union should ever keep the interests of others besides itself in mind. (Hear, hear). The chairman : All that wo can do then is to affirm the principle of the Farmers’ union entering into politics ? Mr Mayne supported the proposals, stating that it was recognised that the farmers of the country were being exploited. Messrs McLachlan and Law objected to affirming tho principle of the union entering into politics without a platform first boing put forward. Mr Walters contended that tho proposal would mean immediately candidates who had stated their views regarding tho union, such as Mr E. C. Banks, would receive the support of all fannors. The motion was carried. On the motion of Mr W. McLachlan, seconded by Mr Law, the Auckland executive was asked to call a conference of representatives of all sub-pro-vincial areas to formulate a platform in time for submission to the annual provincial conference.

REORGANISATION. Tho mooting went into committee to consider the scheme suggested by Mr Buddie for tho reorganisation of tho Farmers’ union. On resuming a motion was passed that the executive fully approves of Mr 'Boddie’s sehemo in principle, and has ovory confidence that tho conference in May will set up a committee fully competent to deal with all details. THE ORGANISER, Tho position of the organiser was considered in committee, and it was decided that the position bo made an honorary one as from date, this being done at Mr McAlpino’s insistent request. PROVING] A L EX ICC UTIVE. On the motion of Mr Wilson, seconded by Mr Thomas, it was resolved to nominate Mr McAlpino for a seat on tho Provincial executive as the union’s representative. PATETONGA. Mr May no brought forward the motion of tho utilization of large blocks of land lying idle in the vicinity of Patetonga. Tho land required draining but this did not present any serious difficultiesThere wore thousands of acres of good land which should be brought in. Deputations met tho engineers and “ throw boquets to each other and patted each other on the backs,” but nothing was done. This branch wished pressure to bo brought on tho Government to throw open tho lands for settlement. A t present there was tho danger of these vacant lands being overrun with noxious weeds. Mr McLachlan : Confine it to soldiers ? Mr Mayne favored opening the lands up to everybody. The Government wore doing nothing now. Mr McLachlan: Ilavo their hands tied but not their tongues. Mr Mayne moved that a deputation bo appointed by the union to visit and inspect tho lands. The organiser strongly supported assisting the Patetonga branch in their requost. Roplying to the chairman Mr Mayne said tho land was surveyed at Ngatoa which was running full grown bullocks. When asked to open these lands up the engineer said they were holding them for consolidation. Mr McLachlan : There is too much government by officials. Mr Rushton seconded the motion. Mr Whitehouse hoped the Government would not make the mistake of undervaluing tho land, as had been done in tho past. The motion was carried and tho following committee was appointed : —the president, Messrs L. H. McAlpine, J. B. Thomas, F. W. Walters. UNFINANCIAL MEMBERS. A number of delegates reported on the results of their canvass among unfinancial members. ANNUAL MEETING. It was decidod to hold tho annual meeting on April 24th. FERTILISER SHARES. - The selling of shares in the Farmers’ Fertiliser Coy. and the threatened action of southern shareholders was reforrod to and information asked for. The organiser explained that when the shares were being placed on tho market the canvasser told southern farmers that they would ho sold tho manuro at tho same price as it was sold to Auckland farmers. That is the company would have to pay tho freightIt meant that the Auckland farmers were penalised for tho southern farmers. The chairman: What will happen if tho litigants are successful. It seems to mo that the farmers of the Auckland province will havo to put their hands in their pockots and find more capital.