N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 426, 15 November 1918, Page 1

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Sub-Provincial Executive Meeting. The usual monthly meeting of the Executive of the Franklin SubProvincial District was held at Pukekone on Monday, November 4th. The following delegates were present : Messrs H. 0. Mellsop (President), E. T. Frost and R. W. Johns (Vice-Presidents), A. Hull, W. L. West, A. Jones, C. Hodgkinson, A. Bell, L. Morgan, W. H. WaJker, E. Piggott, J. Fulton, S. McCaw, T. Logan and E. Mason, with the Organising Secretary (Mr S. Oldfield).

A vote of sympathy to Mr A. Bell in the recent sad loss of his son, was passed, all the members standing. A letter from Mr Goodfellow (Managing Director of the Waikato Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd.), was read in which he stated that his Company had always made a difference of Id per lb in the price paid for first and second grade cream. He added that this was found necessary in order to keep up the quality of the butter.

The Hamilton Co-operative Auctioneering Company wrote stating that in about six months' time they will consider the advisability of starting business in the Franklin centre.

Following a request that steps be taken to abolish exchange on cheques the meeting decided to see if it were possible to get the minimum exchange reduced or the radius of free exchange extended. Mr Mellsop reported that the Trading Company was very much in favour of an effort being made to bring the producers and consumers together by issuing a B. class share for Trades Unions. A letter was received from the Director General of the Fields Division, stating that the Department was willing to provide free rabbit poison to be used on the sections of soldiers away at the war, the neighbouring Babbit Exterminating Committees to supply the labour free. AH branches are requested to send in the names of the absentee owners of any sections in their districts.

A letter from the Auckland HydroElectrical Power League was read, asking for a delegate to attend a deputation to Cabinet on November 13th.- Mr Sim, being present, addressed the meeting on the various schemes submitted and explained what the League had already done. The Horahora scheme, he said, was too small, The Waihi Gold Mining Company had a claim on half the present power developed. When the additional power was harnessed there would be available about 12,000 horse power. That would be " mopped up " before it reached Ngaruawahia. The power available at Huku was 125,000 h.p. and it would eventually have to be harnessed. He quoted figures to show that a fully equipped homestead and milking shed could be fitted at a cost of about £lls, the cost of lighting would run about 4d per day and a 2 to 3 h.p. motor would cost about Id per hour. At Horahora the power was produced at about £6 or y7 per h.p. per year. At £lO the cost per hour for the 24 hours would be about one-third of a penny.—Mr Piggott sounded a note of warning that the Governor's speech mentioned the possibility of the control of water power resources being handed over to private enterprise.—Mr Frost stated that already preparations were being made in certain districts to get a monopoly —Mr Piggott proposed, Mr Frost seconded, and it was carried " That the State be urged to develop and control the Hydro-Electrical Power of the Dominion and that a strong protest be entered against any attempt to allow local Boroughs or private enterprise to obtain a monopoly." An article in the " Dairyman" entitled " Coercion and Tyranny " came in for a deal of discussion, in which it was generally felt that the liberties of the farmer were being carelessly bartered away. Mr Johns mov9d, Mr West seconded, and it was agreed " That a most emphatic protest be made against the gazetting of the Wellington City Council Milk Supply Regulations." It was further arranged that the protest should be sent to the Et. Hon. W. F. Massey and Hon. W. S. McDonald, with copies of the same to all sub-provincial areas and branches of the Farmers' Union, an article also to be written for the local papers

The meeting at some length considered the urgent necessity of the Farmers' Union taking a more definite and decided action in politics as the b' si method of protecting the intorests of the farming community. It was finally decided to submit the question to all branches and other Sub-Provincial areas, asking them to consider the question and pass resolutions thereon. Dealing with the " Good Koads " movement the meeting decided to ask a representative of the Auckland Association to visit the district and to address public meetings at Pukekuho, Waiuku, and Tuakau on the advantages of the Victorian system and aho to see if it were possible to form a Franklin Branch of the League, Accounts totalling £44 7s 6d were passed for payment.