FARMERS’ UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8805, 6 May 1907, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

Rongotea Branch

The annual meeting was held on Saturday afternoon. There -was a small attendance. Mr H H. Hunt presided. In the annual report it was stated that there wore 80 members and 53 had paid their subscriptions. Forty tons of manure had been procured by the Brandi, and those who had benefited by the 10s discount allowed had made a saving of £2O 15s lOd on their purchases. Fifteen members had insured with the South British Go. to cover under the Welkers’ Compensation and Employers’ Liability Act. The Branch had joined with other brandies in a trip to Momoliaki, and in the action taken to oppose tiie Laud Bill. The members had subscribed £G,4s towards the cost of the agitation against the Land Bill. Reference was made to the death of Mr D. Scott, a late member of the Brandi. The balancesheet showed receipts to have been £33, the sum of £l7 18s_10d being from members’ subscriptions; £lO had been paid to the Provincial Conference on 53 members. There was £8 19s lid credit balance. _ In’ seconding the motion for the adoption of the report, Mr R. B. McKenzie said even from the financial point of view, perhaps the lowest, it was now evident the Union was of great advantage to the members in the matter of insurances, particularly. Politically it had certaiuly been effective in preventing the passing of the Land Bill in the crude form it was first presented. Mr McKenzie referred to a correspondence he iiad had with the editor of the New Zealand Times on the subject, which wound np by a statement in that journal to the effect that it was the intention of the Minister of Lauds to propose an amendment as follows; —-Where a mortgage has been taken prior to the passing of this Act the mortgagee may become the purchaser. In the first draft of the Bill it was provided that on it becoming law mortgagee could not purchase. This was ouly one point on which the in finance of the Union had been effective. The meetings of branches might not ho well attended, but while they were all combined the influence of the whole could be exerted in an emergency. The motion was caricd. Mr H. H. Hunt was re-elected chairman, and M. B. McKenzie vice-president. Committee: Messrs J. Hansen, J. Broadbelt, E. E. O’Neal, Tims. Gifford, Carl Andersen, J. Ltunstien, W. Davis, T. McKenzie, J. P. Clark, A. O. Perry, H. ■ Lutze, and W. Tucker. Mr Perrv wasjjce-elected secretary, ami £3 3s was" voted to him as an honorarium. Mr Anderson was elected auditor. Mr H. H. Hunt was appointed Provincial delegate. It was resolved to apply for _ the services of the Provincial Organiser. As a remit to the Conference it was resolved that a uniform and complete sot of books he provided for uses of branches in the colony. It was decided to make the rate of subscriptions the same as last year. The following were elected members of the branch :—Messrs J. Milieu, O. G. Campbell, P. H. Gifford, and Mrs B. S. Penny. On the motion of Mr R. B. McKenzie, seconded by Mr Thos. Gifford,, a motion of sympathy with Sirs Scott and family on account of their bereavement, was earned. Both mover and seconder spoke in high terms of praise of the late Mr Scott.

Haicombe Branch. A meeting of ladies and members of the Branch took place in Mr Pnrkiss’ office on Satutday afternoon, May 4th, to make the necessary arrangements in connection with the annual social. Mr John Morrison, chairman of the Brandi, presided. The day and date decided upon for holding the social was Wednesday. May 29th. 7.30 p.m. it veixs resolved that a danco follow the social. The charge for ml mission to the social was fixed at, for non-mem-bers, Is, members with their families will,as in the past, he admitted free. Complimentary tickets to bo sent to chairmen and secretaries of neighbouring branches. Admission to dance, gentlemen Is, ladies free. Supper to be handed round, wives and daughters of members not present to bo also asked to assist. Card anddranght tables to be in evidence as nsnal. Following to secure items and arrange musical programme: Messrs Morrison, Pleasants, Purkiss, MacDonald. To assist on afternoon of social • Messrs Jas. Morrison, L. Pleasants, *W- and D. McLennan, G. Heappy, E. Brabant, and Misses E. and J. McLennan, M. Bell, E. Managh, McElroy. Advertising, Rangitikci Advocate. A vote of thanks to Mr Morrison, Mr Pnrkiss for use of office,- and to ladies for attendance concluded the meeting