FARMERS' UNION.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 13 August 1919, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

OTAKI BRANCH MEETING. A meeting of the members of the Otaki branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union was held at Stevens' Hall, Otaki Railway, on Monday, evening last, when there was an attendance of nine members, Mr G. H. Harper in the chair. ' • • Apologies were received for the nonattendance of Messrs Tanered Cooper, R. Blair and A. J. Podevin, Remits. The meeting proceeded to discuss 19mits forwarded for consideration. A remit to the effect that the rules 'ffiofl regulations of the Association be revised, with a view to setting the aims and objects of the Union more reasonably before the public, provoked con- I siderable discussion. j Mr E. Macdonald said that the far- j

iaers were not represented on the Union, and that was partly because of the way" I in -which the Union's business was transacted. He deprecated allowing any three men to have so much power as was now exorcised by Dominion representatives, and also considered they should have a more democratic method of managing their affairs. The remit had been blocked by the present organisations, which alone proved,the necessity of some alteration such as that suggested^

Mr Harper and Mr Ryder agreed that some alteration was necessary, and both regretted the fact that the great bulk of farmers at present did not take an active interest in the Union.

It was thought that the remty would at least ventilate the subject, and the meeting decided to approve it. The meeting passed a resolution calling the attention to the necessity of providing alarms at all dangerous railway crossings.

With regard to a Levin remit, proposing the setting up of a committee to carry out a publicity campaign, combatting erroneous impressions with regard to the cost of production, etc., it was decided to give delegates a free band.

Another remit that caused considerable comment was one which proposed that the head office of the Union prepare a statement of comparative prices —wholesale and retail— qf farmers' products, such as wool, bacon, etc. Messrs Ryder and Harper contended that there was too a margin in the price paid to farmers for wool and ■that charged buyers of wool. With regard to bacon, the opinion was expressed that there was not so much to grumble about; indeed one farmer said that a local farmer who had been retailing bacon at Is 2d per pound claimed that it would have paid him better to have sold his pigs outright instead of curing them. It was decided to leave the remit to the branch's delegate, with a recommendation that he support it in preference to tho Levin remit re publicity icampaign.

No action was taken re the proposal to urge the Government to carry live fetock direct to farmers, it being felt that the railway facilities would be impreved shortly. Mr Ryder strongly approved a proposal to urge on the Government the necessity for all school- books in primary schools to be uniform; also that these be printed at 'the Government printing office, and supplied to the scholars at cost price. Mr Ryder said he had always advocated this step, and he could not for the life of him see why it could not be done.

The remit was supported by Messrs DHsen and D. Noble, and unaniniously approved by the meeting. A Te Horo remit re the exchange of Opinions between farmers and labour, having been fully discussed at a previous meeting, was passed over. • Mr F. J. Byder proposed as a remit from the Otaki branch a motion to the effect that it be a recommendation to i Jhe Government that all courthouses, * post offices, public schools and bridges be constructed according to standardised plans. The mover said that he could see no force in preparing fresh plans for cvery new structure of this kind. By all means let them make the fullest inquiry, and when they once adopted an plan for a sehoolbouse or a post Office, let them stick to that. Of 'Course there would need to be a change of design according to the size of the towns to bo served, but if tsandardiscd plans were adopted, it would save a great deal of money which was now being wasted, and which the farmer had to pay every time. ■ Mr Harper was afraid that standardisation of plans might lead to conservatism, and they wanted to keep right up to date. > After a little further discussion, the itfotion, which was seconded by Mr M. {Buncos, was carried without dissent. Proposed Amalgamation with Te.Horo. Mr E. Macdonald reported, with regard to the proposed amalgamation of the - Otaki and Te Horo branches, jthar, though he had not changed his opinions, circumstances had altered, and he was obliged to retract his adjsrice given at a recent meeting. One reason that he had urged the union of Jhe branches was because there w :ls (difficulty" in getting meetings at Te Horo. Since then, however, they had had a considerable accession of member at Te Horo, and it was possible for then? to carry on well. Besides, it had been pointed out that if th.y amalgamated, they would only be allowed one delegate, and it would be a pity/to lose voting power. The Te Horl branch, for these reasons, had decided Lot to amalgamate with Otaki. The Chairman said he could quite understand; Mr Macdonald >s vjews, and, under the circumstances, there was nothing to be done but to let the saatter drop. He thought it was a matter for regret, however. Mr Simco.t said he did not think it a iaatter for regret. He was glad that Xe Horo had grown in strength. Mr Macdonald suggested that the toembers of the two branches might

f join, -together for special occasions, .such as lectures by visitors, etc. These .combined meotings might be very uso- '

Mr Harper heartily agreed with re gard to the proposed combined meel ings, and Mr ' Ryder- suggested tha Manakau, and even Waikunao, migh combine with Te Horo and Otaki oi special occasions.

Election of Officers.

The election of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with, and resulted as under:—President, Mr G. H. Harper; vice-president, Mr* A. J. Podcvin; hon. secretary, Mr W. M. Sinicox, pro tern.; executive committee, Messrs D. Noble, G. A. Griffiths, K,. B. Blair, Marshall, and officers ex officio; delegate, Mr F. J. Kyder. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.