NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 376, 17 May 1918, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Franklin Sub-Provincial District. The first meeting of the Executive of the Franklin Sub-provincial area of the Farmers' Union was held in Pukekohe on May 6th, the following delegates being present, viz., Messrs J. W. Johns (Pukekohe), E. Piggott (Buckland), R. Johns (Mauku), H. 0. Hay (Mauku), L. L. Allen (Onewhero), C. Hodkinson (Qlenbrook), A. Jones (Waipipi),. H. 0. Mellsop and A. Hull (Waiuku), E. C. Frost (Tuakau) and J. W. Robinson (Pukekohe East). The newlyappointed Organising Secretary, Mr S. Oldfield, was in attendance and took up hia duties. The" following officers were elected, viz : President, Mr H. 0. iMellsop (Waiuku); Vice-Presidents, Messrs E. C. Frost (Tuakau) and R. Johns (Mauku) ; Treasurer, Mr J. W, Johns (Pukekohe) A good deal of business iu connection with the opening of the executive at Pukekohe was satisfactorily dealt with. A remit was broiight forward by Onewhero (Mr L. L. Allen) dealing with a proposal that the Federation should approach the stock auctioneers operating in Tuakau. to hold conjoint sales there. It was pointed out that it would result in bigger sales and also save considerable time to farmers. The movement was strongly supported by the Executive and Messrs Frost and Allen were delegated to wait upon the auctioneers to see what could be done in the matter.

Mr Allen also detailed a number of remits to be brought up at the annual Conference to be held in Auckland during Farmers' Week. These deal with matters in connection with the control of prices and quality of fertilisers. The local prices of fertilisers being almost prohibitive greatly retarded production and it was thought desirous that steps should be taken by the Government to ensure that all fertilisers should be pure. It was also considered that representation should be made to the Government pointing out the difference in price of horso feed in Auckland as compared with the South Island with a view to having more shipping space made available between the two Islands. A number of remits were introduced by Mr \llen (Onewhero) of far reaching and national importance. These will go before the various Branches for discussion and will come up again for consideration at the next meeting of the Executive. A matter of great importance to the farming commuuify as a whole and showing the necessity of a strongly organised body was instanced in the action taken by the relieving Sergeant of Police at Puke* kohe relative to pig-stys. It was decided that letters be written to the County Council requesting that in all cases warning should be given before taking action against offondeis of the By-laws and asking that the summons be withdrawn, uud also to the Superintendent of Police protesting against the action of the Relieving Sergeant. Mr 11. 0 Mellsop (President) was unanimously elected by the Executive as the candidate to represent this Sub-Provincial District at the election at the Provincial Conference to be held ir» th» lust week in May. It was decided that the Executive should meet on the second Monday in each month.