FARMERS' UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXIII, Issue 9038, 30 December 1907, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION.

WAITUNA BRANCH,

A meeting of the branch was held on Saturday afternoon, Mr J. F. McLennan in the chair. The question of the shearers’ demands and the Provincial President’s circular on the matter was under discussion. Mr Hair proposed that the branch support the action of the committee set up at Mr Pryor’s meeting, held at Feilding. The motion was seconded and carried. It was decided to contribute £2 towards the salary of the Education Board’s agricultural instructor. Mr McLennan resigned his position as chairman of the branch, as he is about to take a trip to England. It was proposed by Mr Carman, “That this branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union take this opportunity of thanking Mr McLennan for the time and trouble he has taken in promoting its' interests, both as president and as member of the Wellington Provincial Executive, aud trust that he and Mrs McLennan will have an enjoyable trip, and that on his return he will again take up these duties with renewed energy.” Mr Carman said the chairman by the time and energy he had given to the duties had raised the branch to the highest point of its usefulness in the defence of the interests of the farmers of the district, and he had been one of the prime movers in supporting the forward movement initiated by the Waitotara Branch, on the Executive.

The motion was seconded by Mr Hair, and carried unanimously.

Mr Hair, who was elected President, suggested that meetings of the branch should he held at fixed intervals, and mentioned several matters that could be discussed. Most of the members, however, were of opinion that meetings should not he convened except for a definite purpose. Mr E. Short proposed that the annual picnic be held dh January 22nd. He was of opinion ®that the picnics in the past had helped the Union. The Farmers’ Motor Company would lend a marquee, which would save the branch £3.

The secretary said the cost of the last picnic had been £29 9s Bd. There was some difficulty in getting sufficient money for the purpose. After some discussion Mr Short said rather than that the picnic should fall through he would give £lO towards the cost himself, considering that he had several men working for him who might attend. It was resolved to hold the picnic on the date mentioned, and Messrs Kensington, McLennan, Hair, Williamson, McDougall, Cooper, Pearce, McLean, Shannon aud Short were appointed a committee to collect money for the purpose aud report progress on the Bth January at 7.30 p.m.