FARMERS' UNION.

Shannon News, 13 April 1922, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

MEETING OF MANAWATU

EXECUTIVE

Tiie monthly meeting of the Manawatu sub-provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union was held at Levin on Saturday. The president (Mr A. Buchanan) was in the chair.

Mr A. F. McKenzie wrote intimating that the Bunnythorpe branch of the Union was now del'unct, due to the apathy of members and the nonpayment of subscriptions.

Mr F.,Farmer tendered his lesignation as a member of the Glen UrcuaTaikorea branch, as that body was, he wrote, virtually defunct.—The resignation was accepted, the chairman remarking in-'passing that once '.lot sub-provincial executive, attained provincial status new life would be infused into the movement and the branches would be revived. IMPROVING TUB ORGANISATION. On behalf of the Waikanae branch, Mr Tatton Fraser moved: That the sub-provincial executive be abolished -and that we revert to the old system of control, by' provincial executive, branch committees to collect all subscriptions, they to retain branch levies and be paid 10 per cent on cll moneys collected, the balance to be paid- to the provincial executive to pay travelling expenses. The mover mentioned that Wanganui was moving in a similar direction.

Mr .T. Lynch made a point of the fact that the only hope of the farmers in combating outside influence was to support their organisation. He urged that the boundaries of the proposed provincial district should be materially revised. Mr F. W. Hubbard urged that under the revised status the executive should be second to only one body, the Dominion executive.

After considerable discussion, Mr Fraser withdrew his motion, and Hie meeting affirmed the desirability of reverting to a provincial status; and it was decided to make application accordingly to the provincial conference. At the same time a sub-com-mittee was set up to consult with the Wanganui sub-provincial executive on the matter.

PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS

A much discussed question was xe vived when the president moved the following remit to the provincial conference: That this conference urges upon the Government the pressing necessity to abolish preference to unionists, and recommends that the question be submitted by referendum to the electors at the forthcoming general elections.” —The motion was adopted. MEAT POOL BOARD.

Several remits were adopted touching tfie Meat Pool Board of Control. Arising out of these the meeting affirmed that it was desirable that the board should eventually be enlarged to embrace all lines of produce, and further that, while the executive desires legislative assistance for the Meat Pool Board it is not in favour of pi*olonged financial backing by the Government or further extension of Government control.

Bearing upon the same subject other remits were adopted as follows: That when a member ceases to occupy a seat on the Meat Pool 'Board the remaining members of the board, in conjunction with the Farmers’ Union executives be entitled to nominate candidates and have the power of electing one to fill the vacancy on the board; and that before arranging freight' rates with one or more shipping companies, the Board of Control shall carefully consider whether Ihe.v can secure better results by working jointly with ilie National Dairy and other producers’ associations.