FARMERS’ UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9371, 13 February 1909, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION.

PBILDING BRANCH. A general meeting was held yesterday afternoon. Mr H. J. Booth, President, in the chair. From the Provincial Secretary, notifying that the levy of 6s per member should be remitted before 31st March. From the same, stating that the Wanganui Branch desired the Conference to urge the establishment of classes for wool classing in connection with the Technical schools,— Mr Wheeler remarked that one means of assisting in the establishment of such classes was for farmers to give the required fleeces. On Mr Wheeler’s motion, seconded by Mr O, Selby, it was resolved, iThat this Branch give its heartiest support to the Technical School Committee in the establishment ofgthe classes. Mr Mayo, a member of the Technical School Committee, said it could be done by farmers inducing their sons and employees to attend class. From Mr J. G. Wilson, President of the Union, a circular letter commenting on the past work of the Union, putting before the members the claims for support of the Farmers’ Union Advocate, and £on other subjects. Mr Wheeler said the thanks of the farmers were due to Mr Wilson for his labour in connection with the paper and the best way they could show their gratitude would be by endeavouring to increase the circulation of the paper. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Anderson, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Wilson for his encouraging, circular. From Department of Agriculture, offering veterinary diagrams for sale. —lt was decided to purchase a set for the use of the members of the Branch. Mr Mayo said noxious weeds were spreading in the district. Mr Maofarlane said pennyroyal, ragwort and Californian thistle were spreading at Aorangi. Mr Selby said he passed a paddock near Oolyton that day, and saw a quantity of pennyroyal growing in a paddock and nothing appeared to be done to check it. Mr Wheeler, from Stanway, said he had heard of no complaints of the increase of these weeds in his part of the Oroua County. Mr Booth, the Chairman, said Californian thistle came down the Oroua river but the Inspector was pretty sharp on those who lived on the banss. Mr Mayo said an invitation had been extended to the members of the Union to visit the Levin State farm on the 24th. Mr Maofarlane advocated the nomination of A. R. Mayo for a seat on the Land Board to represent Crown tenants. There was no definite information available to the meeting as to tbe conditions of such an appointment. The Chairman said the representative of the Crown tenants should he one himself, and Mr Mayo should be the man. This was in reply to Mr ,Mayo's suggestion that Mr A. H. Atkinson would he the best man to nominate. Mr H. J. Fowler, organising lecturer for the Union, addressed the Branch on the subject of increasing the membership. He had found that the vast majority were in accord with the aims of the Union and would he sorry to see it die out, nevertheless, there was an apathy shown in some districts that was hard to comprehend. One cause was undoubtedly the number of changes that were taking place by farmers selling out and buying in at other districts. He thought another cause was the holding of night meetings. Members in a large number of oases did not care to attend meetings after performing their duties for the day. He thought a remedy would be found in the adoption of a system of carrying on the business of the branches by commitees as companies did by Boards of Directors, merging small branches and. the general members only called together once a year into district branches. This had been done at Pahiatua, Garterton and Masterton. This is the amalgamation of county branches into central ones, and it appeared to work well. By the adoption of this plan the leaders in the smaller branches became the directors of the central branch, and really a higher order of work was done than previously. In this connection, Mr Fowler advocated the amalgamation of all the small branches around Feilding into one. Speaking on the good work the Union had already accomplished, ho pointed ont that what the Union-had prevented was not less worthy of consideration, especially in the matter of the Farm Labourers’Assooiation, than what it had done. - The speaker referred to the reduction of Fjre Insurance charges on farmers’ property from 16s to 8s Bd, and the abolitiqn of the sheep tax as direct monetary benefit obtained by farmers owing to the efforts of the Union. He said if every farmer paid an insurance premium of 10s there would be an income of £48,000, while the ordinary annual loss by fire amounted to £SOOO. Tbe Union could obtain a reduotion“in the cost of manure and accident insurance rates for members. The speaker referred to each of the objects of the Union and pointed out how beneficial their attainment would be to the whole farming community. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr Fowler for his able address.

The"Ohairman spoke in approval of tbe amalgamation of branches as outlined by Mr Fowler. On the motion of Mr Wheeler, seconded by Mr Anderson, it was resolved that the Branch forward £5 to the organisation fund.