FARMERS UNION MEETING.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 58, 4 March 1902, Page 4

FARMERS UNION MEETING.

! A. meeting of the Motueka branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held in the Church of England school room on Saturday night. There was a very good attendance, the Chairman of the branch, Mr J. S. Wratt, presiding. The minutes of. the previous . meeting having been read and adopted, Mr Thomas Pattie took the opportunity of referring to the recent jsisaster in South Africa. He said it, was with deep feelings of regret add sorrow that they had heard the news, which had cast a gloom over the whole colony, and many heads were that night bowed in sorrow. The only consolation they could derive was from the fact that bur boys: had proved themselves true British soldiers, and that they had displayed great bravery. He moved ' That this meeting pass a vote of con--dole nee and sympathy with the relatives of the fallen men. The Chairman seconded the motion. He was sorry they had to pass such a resolution, but it was nothing but right that they should sympathise with the dereaved ones.

Mr J. A. Guy endorsed,, the remarks of the ' previous speakers. He had much sympathy with the relatives. Our men had shown by the stand they had taken that they could fight as Britains should do. The Chairman, referring to the interview with the local horse shoers, said the deputation appointed by the Farmers' Union had met the shoers. They had a friendly discussion, which ended in the tradesmen agreeing to grant a concession of five per cent on all--quarterly accounts paid within seven days after receipt of same. As the general run of shoeing was about one half of the business done by the tradesmen in question, he considered the concession was a fair one.

Mr Everett said they had very fairly discussed the question, without any signs of hostility. He was of opinion, judging by the rates submitted, of prices charged elsewhere, that the prices paid here were not unduly excessive, and mentioned, in respect of the advance in raw material from .£ll to .£lB per ton, that six months had elapsed before the shoers took advantage of the rise to increase the cost of shoeing. The concession made was equivalent to a reduction of sixpence a set. He moved, with pleasure, that this.meeting approves of the offer made, which is satisfactory. Seconded by Mr T. Holyoake, and carried.

. Mr Everett read a letter written by the Hon C. H. Mills to Mr R. McKenzie, the member for Motueka, which that gentleman had forwarded to him, re request for an analysis of New Zealand hops, in order to ascertain the reason why our hops were weaker than the English.' ....... ~,......-.... - On the motion of Mr Wratt, seconded by Mr Holyoake, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr McßLenzie t for the attention he had paid to their wishes in this respect. -_ Mr .McKenzie, who was present at the meeting, suitably acknowledged the ,compliment. He explained the position, ,and said he had also recommended the Minister to bring in an amendment to the Beer Adulteration Act.

The, meeting then" proceeded to discuss the question of a direct steam service to and from Wellington, a report of which will be found in anotjher column.