STRATFORD FARMERS’ UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 43, 18 September 1916, Page 4

STRATFORD FARMERS’ UNION.

A SUCCESSFUL, gathering. A meeting representative of fanners throughout the Stratford district was held in connection with the recently formed Farmers’ Union in the Stratford A. and P. Office on Saturday, when Mr E. McK. Morison was unanimously elected temporary chairman and Mr E. PI. immell secretary and treasurer. Others present were: Messrs M. McDonald. B. Orr. W. Pettigrew, I). Petersen, E. Marfel, G. Buckeridgc, N. B. Fletcher. It was resolved that the annual subscription to the Union be 10s 6d a year. The names of rweral new members were handed in, and it is confidently anticipated, now that the Stratford branch of the Kramers’ Union is firmly established, that it will develop both educationally and numerically. Some discussion ensued as to making the subscription a large one to cover the subscription to the “Farmer’s Advocate,” the official organ of tlie present society. For the present, however, the subscription was fixed at 10s 6d for membership to the local Union only. Mr Buckeridge fEltham) gave several instances in which by co-opera-tion farmers would benefit by supporting the Union, lie being a strong advocate of a larger subscription being fixed to cover the subscription to the Farmer’s Advocate. He also emphasised the fact that the Union was an educational body, and in some places was perhaps better known as an Agricultural Organisation Society. Mr Buckeridge expressed the opinion that the Union should be linked up with the A. and P. Association. “I would like.” added the speaker, - r /\\ “every member of the Association to l>o a member of the Union. There are a , number of younger men away at the front and the older men will have to carry on the work. Mr Morison had had a good deal of experience in connection with the work of the Union and he was glad that he had accepted the position of temporary chairman.” Pie himself would do all he could to forward the interests of the Union. Mr Fletcher, speaking as one thoroughly in sympathy with the movement. was of the impression that the Union had never gone far enough. There was not sufficient strength in it to do all they might do; what was needed was more co-operation. “Circumstances,” said Mr Fletcher, “are forcing farmers to co-operate. There is at the present time too much of the middleman.” Mr B. Orr also referred to a case where foodstuff was being “cornered.” It was in these circumstances, ho said .where the Union could be of service to the farmer. It was agreed to meet on the last Saturday in each month at 1.30, the next meeting being on October 28tli, Mr A. D. Stanley (secretary of the A. and P. Association) kindly granting the Union the use of his office for the purpose.