MAUKU

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 261, 23 March 1917, Page 1

MAUKU

FARMERS' UNION MEETING The monthly meeting of the Mauku Branch of the Farmers' Union was held in the Patumahoe Ilall on the 12th inst., Mr R. W. Johns President), being in the chair. PROVISIONAL I OXI'EKEXCE REMITS. Mr M. Orispe proposed and Mr E. Rowe seconded the following remits for discussion at the forthcoming conference, viz. : 1. That the Government be requested to pass some law whereby farmers would have some guarantee of the quality and particulars of the seeds they purchase. 2. That the present system for the election of the Provincial Executive of the Union be abolished and some more equitable system adopted. MILITARY SERVICE BOARD AI'I'EA.LS. The following letter was received from the Provincial Secretary : At a meeting of my Executive held yesterday the following resolution was passed That to assist the Military Servioe Boards in arriving at proper decisions, committees of each local branch of the Union, and special committees of responsible farmers in those districts where no branches exist, be formed to place before the Boards the facts regarding the effoct upon production of the country of the calling up for service of farmers and farm labourers in their districts, and that men may apply for support to such committees in cases of appeal." Will you please bring this matter before your Branch and proceed to form a committee to act in the manner indicated.

It was resolved to give this question hearty support. Several members mentioned instances where glaring injustices had baen done through cases being misrepresented. The following members were appointed as a Committee to deal with the matter, viz, Messrs J. Henry, R. W. Johns, E. C. Cuff, Geo. Learning, J. Goldsworthy, F. W. Kavanagh and H. M. Crispe. Mr Johns mentioned that many appellants had been put to considerable expense in contesting their cases and he thought it only fair that where an appeal was allowed the Government should pay the solicitor's fee One case was referred to where it had cost a man £lO. Mr Johns contended that many were not able to put their position before the Board and so employed a lawyer and ho thought if one lawyer was engaged to take all the cases with each Board a much more economical system would be devised.—lt was resolved to put the matter before the Executive with a request that they take it up. Mr Johns also took exception to the Press reports in appeal cases. He considered that a good deal of private busines3 was reported and he did not think it right that where an appellant found it necessary to place all his private and financial position before a Board that all theso matters should be broadcasted round the country.—lt was agreed to also place this matter before the Executive for their consideration. MISCELLANEOUS. The Secietary presented a statement of accounts for the social tendered to Pte. Sommerville which showed a profit of £4 0s Id, £2 of which had been paid to the Patumahoe Presentation Committee as agreed. Mr H. M. Crispe was appointed delegate to the Provincial Conference. As members were not fully conversant with the sub-provincial districts federatian scheme it was resolved to request the Executive to let Mr Tuncred Cooper, the official organiser, address a meeting. Since the meeting it has been found that Mr Cooper could not get round but Mr Ross (Presideni of the Auckland Provincial Executive) has offered to attend.