WELLINGTON BRANCH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 28, 30 May 1912, Page 2

WELLINGTON BRANCH.

(Per Press Association.) Palmerston, May 29. The Prime Minister attended the annual dinner of the Wellington branch of the Farmers’ Union last night. He received a hearty reception. In the course of a speech Hie defended the action of the Government in setting up th Civil Service Commission and other commissions. He said he would do all he possibly could in helping the agricultural needs of the Dominion, and added that as 'long as prices kept up matters would be satisfactory, but if they fell then somebody would have to carry the baby. Ho dealt with the necessity of co-ordinating the education system, and said'that he believed the defence scheme was oil the right lines, as long as it did not become extravagant. Iwtfears need bo shed for-him!by bis frjcjyjs, He was perfectly willing to submit to the decision of Parliament when it met. Commercial and financial men were mostly wanted Iff carry on the work of Parliament.

The Prime Minister lias loft for Wanganui. The conference resumed to-day. It was decided to protest against the dual control which permits Maori councils to issue dog licenses, and to ask the Government*to pass legislation making county councils the sole authority in that direction. It was decided to send a remit to the Dominion conference, asking that a Seed-growing Association should he formed. A discussion occurred on a remit to the effect that the question of the shortage of farm and domestic labour should he brought under the notice of the Government. Several speakers complained that farm development was being retarded through the shortage of farm labour, and that the only solution of the problem was a-suitable emigration scheme. The president (Mr J. G. Wilson) said that unsuccessful attempts had been made by the Union to get out more Sedgwick boys. 'The Union had considered the advisahlenoss of entering into an immigration scheme of its own, but the Government had put so many embargoes on the proposal that it was decided in the meantime not to proceed /further with the scheme. He was hopeful that the Government would eventually assist. The remit was adopted. The conference decided: “That this conference wishes to convey to the Minister of efonce its appreiation of the firm stand he has taken in 4dmiriistering the Defence Act.” The conference also decided that inland mail contracts should ho altered* to give country settlers greater benefits, so that, where possible, settlors should get the benefit of rural delivery, and, further, that the price of private hags should be reduced when delivered only twice a week. On the question of drovers ’licenses it was decided that allnight licenses should be issued in duplicate, one copy to he forwarded to the police, and that the attention of the Department he called to the fact that drovers are driving at night without licenses.

The following officers were elected : President, Mr J. G. Wilson ; vice-pre-sident/Mr W. J. Buick; executive, Messrs Evan Campbell, H. Booth, J. Balsillie, Cnpt. Hewitt, W. K. Dalrymple, F. Hockley, Alex. Howie, H. K. Elder, W. B. Matheson, John Morrison, 'Hugh Morrison, H. ;A. Ncvins, G. Hodgins; delegates to the Dominion conference, Messrs H. A. Nevins and T'hos. Moss. The conference will lie held at Wellington on July .‘SO next. The provincial conference will he held at Masterton. . The annual meeting of the Wellington Fanners’ Union Mutual Fire Insurance Association was held this morning, Captain Hewitt (chairman of directors) presiding. 'The report showed till at the new business effected during the year amounted to C 10,220, and that the total insurances now held amount to £185,978, of which £15,191 was reinsured. There are 574 policy holders. Several butter

and cheese factory risks are included in the now business. Claims amounting to £lO3 were paid during the year. The losses paid in the last six years amounted to only £lll6. The directors had decided to accept grain risk's, but the difficulty of inspection had to be considered. For the purpose of investing the funds it had been decided to advance small sums to farmers, on approved security. Tho report and balance-sheet were adopted, after the chairman had congratulated members on tho satisfactory state of the finances. The directors resolved that rates on first-class risks from June 1 bo reduced from Ss (id to Ss.

The following were elected directors for the year;—Captain Hawitt, and Messrs J. G. Wilson, W. J. Birch, 3. Balsillie, Alex. Howie, E. Law, H. Boot’a, J. Morrison and H. A. Ncvins.