Farmers' Union.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7316, 9 June 1902, Page 4

Farmers' Union.

Tho monthly meeting of the Paluicrston Branch wns he.'rJ on .Saturday, Captain Hewitt occupied tho chair, and there was a good attendance of members.

Tho roport of tho sub-committoo of tho A. and P. Association re iho Auction Bill was received and read, members generally approving of the roport. The circular from the manager of tho Dairy-mini ru official organ, was deforred pendiug tho decision of tho Colonial Conference.

Tho following roply from tho UndorSecrotary of Lands and Survey Department to tho Provincial Exocutivo was read:-" Proposed Government limekiln, North Island: In teply to your letter ro above, I havo to inform you that boforo tho Minister can take this matter under his consideration, ho would liko to know how many tons of lime per week would bo guaranteed to bo taken if tho Government creeled a lime kiln in tho Manawatu Gorge, on tho same lines as tho one now being worked in Otago."

It was stated that tho farmers would use limo much more extensively in this district if it co lid bo obtained at a reasonable price. A lotter was read stating that a company would probably bo formed to work tho ground. The following resolution was ngroed to :— " . hat this! Branch request the Provincial Executive to urge tho Government to erect a limo kiln in the Gorge, but cunnot guarameo any fixed quantity, and expresses l)io opinion thai very much larger quantities of limo would be used if the price was about 12s Cd per ton."

It is expected that this matteWwill be placed hrforo all tho branches "'in the surrounding districts.

Tho circular re Co-operatlvo Distril.uuing Depot, was discussed. A motion that tho Branch was adverse io the forming of tho company was lost. Tho principles of tho proposi-d company were then uilirnn.d.

Captain Hewitt .spoke of the organi-:-ing ijropo.-als he wished tho branch to

udopr. He hoped each member of the committee woubi consider himself to bo chairman of a sub-branch in their own disincts. to collect subscriptions, recruit nitiubtrs, nnd keep up a lively inti-rest in tho work of the union; to urrunge for meitingj to bo held and addressed by ditli rent inc-inlets. Tho stability of tho union would depend on the united efforts of all, mid the voluntary efforts and enthusiasm ot iho comtintteo working in each district would tend to place the uuion on n firm basis, One rcault of tho uniun already was that farmers got- tiie premiums for accident iiiMirunco now for liuif whnt they paid Ijtloro, and he hoped the niomb-i\. would support tho company that so liberally met tho union. On'the question of fire insurance, ho st.itcd he was convinced that country risks aro not 'is grout as town risks, and ho could ace no valid reason why com-tiy people were called upon to pny an increased premium, anil advocated tho discussion of the question by tho coimuittru with their neighbours, and tho supporting of iho company that will givo hotter terms, failing which, tho establishing of a Cooperative Firo Insurance Association for the Union.

The membc-ra approved of tho Chairman's remarks, and it was agreed that meetings be held in the outlyiug districts, after tho colonial conference mi-ots, nc Kairang.T, Biiwiythoipa, Ashhurst, Linton, Longburn, Pohaugina, etc.

The question of thr-ro being v possibility of two prominent members of tho

Union contcsiing the l'ahncrs'.on feat nt tl-o general election was brought up, and it was agreoil, on the motion of Mr Mcllardy, that a g.-ncr,\l inciting of the branch i;c csllcd, to be lu-Kl in tho Fire Brigi-.do liall on .Saturday, .Inly 12th (if ec'om.il eonfureneo is finished), to go fully into the matter, and Unit members <jf the Storey Cror-k branch be requested to attend, as ihoy arc in the electorate.

The luectniH will probably bo addressed by the cnutiidutc^, nnd it is oxpeeted there will be a record iittendiinc?. Capt. Hewitt, before closing tho meeting, moved that ihn tollowinj; resolution bo forwarded to tho Provincial Execu-

tivc, to bo forwarded to tho colonial conference, for adoption in tho Union's platform :—'• That tht farmers of New Zealand, recognising their dependence upon Almighty God for successful ro."ult3 from their labour, desire thai they and tln-ir children mny bo taught to search out JUis works and gifts, so that they may heartily thank JJim as tho givtr."

Tho motion was heaitily supported by tho members prcsrnt,