FARMERS' UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8934, 27 September 1907, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

A meeting of tie Wellington Provincial Executive of the above was held at Palmerston on Wednesday .There were present—Mr J. G. Wilson (chairman), and Messrs W. B. Matheson. (Eketahuna>;E. H. Crabb (Kimbolton), J. Morrison (Halcombe), T. Moss (Eketakuna), J. E. MeLennan (Waituna West), H. J. Kickards (Levin), Captain Hewitt and A. E. Eu3sell (Palmerston North). Tho President reported on matters connected with the revision of rules recommended by the Advisory Board. The Executive went into committee to consider same. Upon resuming the Organising Committee's report was received showing satisfactory work by the organiser in the several districts, and also that a very fair number of new members had been enrolled. The committee found its work hampered by the insufficient funds at its disposal and also found the present method o£ raising funds a'detriment to some farmers who Would otherwise become members. The committee had considered the whole matter at a meeting held on Tuesday night and adopted the following resolution : "That in order to provide greater funds for the Urgent needs of the Union and to mako the contributions bear more equally on ail members, the committee urges the Executive to adopt the following method of striking tho levy on the graduated scale—£looo or under, capital value, 5s with a rise of Is en each additional .£SOO. The committee believe the Union will make no real progress until the finances aro placed on a firmer and sounder basis."

Tho greater part of tho afternoon sitting was taken up by the consideration of the ltules Revision Committee's recommendations. Considerable discussion took place on the proposed new Arbitration Act, and it was eventually left in the hands of the Advisory Board. The proposed amended rules drawn up by the Advisory Board were fully considered and it was decided to add the rule recommended as above by the j organising committee, and that copies of the same bo forwarded to all the Provincial Executives. The rules with suggested alterations were then adopted. A letter of sympathy in his serious illness was ordered to be sent to Mr John Peat, a member of the Executive. General satisfaction was expressed by the Executive that the Organising Committee's report contained a motion that will, if carried into effect, place the finances of the Union on a much better footing. Apologies for non-attendance were received from Messrs J. C. Cooper, J. O. Bidwell, H. A. Nivens and J. Peat. Leave of absence was granted these I gentlemen.