FARMERS’ UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 44, 21 February 1914, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION.

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. The regular monthly meeting of the Taranaki Executive N.Z. Farmers’ Union was held at Haw era on Thursday. There were present, Messrs R. Dunn (in the chair), IE Maxwell, 11. Lambie, A. E. Washer, J. Thomson, .). Swindlehurst and H. H. Buxton. Mr'Hunter was also present', but had to leave after the meeting was opened. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs C. Capper and .)• S. Barron. Organisation, In reply to the Executive’s letter asking him if he- would take on the organisation of the Union in latauaki, Mr I). Jones, Canterbury, wrote staling that owing to his present engagements he was unable to take up this work. He, however, appreciated the*offer, and would have been portuuity was favorable. —The letter glad to have given assistance it opwas received.

Considerable discussion took place as to the best means of organising and ultimately the following resolution was carried, “That a circular letter bo sent to all branches stating shat it is the intention of the Executive to recommend to the Provincial conference and to the incoming executive that the provincial levy on branches be increased this year to (is Gd, with the object of providing means of payment of the provincial organiser as the Executive is satislied that some thorough system of organisation must .be adopted.” it was also decided to add to the resolution the following; “Whilst acquainting branches of its intended recommendation to the conference, the Executive would be glad to bear from each branch what their views are as to the best method of organising or what they think would be the most effective way of increasing the membership of the Union. The Executive wishes to impress on the branches the urgent need of most seriously considering the question of increasing and keeping up the membership.” Stock Sales. In reply to the Executive’s letter asking auctioneers to consider the quesion of announcing the names of buyers and sellers of stock at auction sales, Messrs Oilligs and Nalder wrote stating that they were in favor of the practice. They stated: “We are, as yon know, agents for :hc vendors at sales; w e are employ'd by them,, ami within certain limits ,ve, mpst carry out their instructions, it must therefore he apparent to you hat there would be occasions when the,vendor might instruct us that his •iamW;Was not to be divulged, and if w:e ,wero hound by agreement to give out [the name of t)ie vendor we should be ipviting trouble. Wo tried the system some years ago, and had to live it up. Dealers do not object to tho system so much as the farm-

ers, both buying and soil!n<j;. Wo should prefer to have all names call-

ed out clearly. For one thing it would ,save adjustments and mistakes .'i t s j,p successful Judders and would simplify our business. , We shall be pleased to help, but at the time of writing, for the reasons stated, we think it would be difficult to make the practice compulsory and also effective.” —The letter was received. Members were of opinion that unless statutory provision were made to meet the case it would he difficult to effect a change, and the following was, drafted as a remit to the provincial conference, “That Parliament be urged to amend the Auctioneers’ Act by making it compulsory that auctioneers announce the names of the vendors and purchasers of stock sold at public auction.” Railway Tisrfff. Mr Dunn drew the attention of the Executive to the action taken !)y the Wellington Chamber of Commerce in recommending a revision of the railway tariff, and moved that the Dominion Executive be asked to support the Wellington Chamber of Commerce in its recommendation for a revision of the railway tariff with a view to removing anomolies therefrom, especially in regard to the abolition of the surcharge on imported hardwood timber, also that advantage ho taken of entering an emphatic protest against the railway tariff being used for protective purposes.