FARMERS’ UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9421, 17 April 1909, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION.

FEILDING BRANCH. The annual meeting was held yesterday afternoon, Mr H. J. Bootu in the chair. The annual balance-sheet submitted showed a credit balance of £ll 16s 3ti, but if all accounts were paid there would be a deficiency of £3 7s sd. The Chairman, in reviewing the work of the past year, said in had generally been satisfactory. The shearers’ dispute had been settled without recourse to law. The agricultural labourers’ dispute had also been settled chiefly by the exertions of Messrs Evans and Jones, hat probably the most marked influence during the past yearyof the Union was in respect to the late election of members of Parliament, a fair proportion of whom had been put in by the exertion of the members of the Union. The action of the local branch in obtaining the assistance of Mr Guthrie, M.P., to induce the Railway Department to give better facilities for the transport of fat stock had had good effect. The delegates who had attended the Conference on ’the estabiishment of a freezing company had indicated their unwillingness to co-operate unless the proposed works were established at Foxton. As it would cost at from £IO,OOO to £13,000 to obtain a site in Wellington he thought the promoters would necessarily have to choose Ifoxton. In regard to the balance-sheet the branch started largely in debt at the beginning of the year, and consequently, financially, they had improved the position, though there was a reduction in the number of members, namely 144 to 107. There were 33, however, behind in their subscriptions. He proposed the adoption of the report aud balance-sheet.

Mr Wheeler, in seconding the motion, said financially the branch was in an improved position. The motion was adopted. / Mr Booth was requested ,to hold the position* of president another year. In consenting Mr Booth said he thought they would be able to show reason for the, existence of the Union during the coming year. Mr A. R. Mayo was elected vicepresident. The following were elected a committee: —Mes rs v . G. Wheeler, O. Anderson, F. Body, F. Usmar, J. McFarlane, W. R. Fry, R. French, H. Burrell, R. 3. Stuart, W. G. Pearce, A. H. Atkinson, S. Selby, A. Campbell, F. Y. Lethbridge, J. Lange. Mr J. R. Perry was re-elected secretary. Messrs Booth and Mayo were elected delegates to the Provincial Conference.

The subscriptions were fixed at the same rate as last year, namely, up to 250 acres 10s, 500 15s, 750 20a, and 1000 80s; 6s. Mr Mayo gave notice that at the next meeting he would propose a remit to the Conference, That Grown tenants be allowed to nominate two members on the Land Board, the Government two members, andf the Crown Lands Commissioner to be chairman. " Mr McFarlane said the Premier had promised to carry cement free for dairy farmers on the railways. He would propose !a remit, To ask Government to fulfil that promise.