Farmers’ Union.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVI, Issue 43084, 25 April 1907, Page 2

Farmers’ Union.

WAIHOU BRANCH. The monthly meeting of the Waihou branch of the Farmers’ Union was held at Waihou last night. Mr J. B. Thomas occupied tho chair. Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. A letter from the Provincial Sec ary stated ihat Mr Phillips, the provincial president, would address the- branch on the Land Bill on Tuesday, May 7th. The Chairman stated that all per-ons interested in farming and agriculture would he welcome at tho meeting. The Chairman thought one phase of tho Laud Bill seemed most illiberal, as it bound a man to be lens Fold all his life.

Potato B, ight. —The provincial secretary also asked that circulars on potato bl’ght, sent to branches some time ago. be tilled in and returned at an early date.

It was said that most of the potatoes in this district had been affected by the bi ght. It was agreed that sufficient information was not available for the making of a return. The provincial ■ e ere tar y also made a good offer of bonedust to be supplied to members.

L vxn B ill Lit ekathive.— Pamphlets, of which the Union has printed about three tons, were distributed amongst the members, dealing wi’h the Land Bill from the farmer’s point of view.

La AM) Ballot System. A genera' discussion on the land ballot system took place. It was suggested that the power to prevent early transfer of land won by ballot, should be strictly exercised.

Pkovixcial Coxfeuexce. —A letter was read from the Provincial Secretary, stating that the annual provincial conference would be held on May 15tli and 16th in the chamber of commerce, Swan-son-street, Auckland, at 10 a.m.

The order paper to Msubmitted to the Conference was read by the secretary. The members present were in favour o' the proposal that politics affecting farmers should be discussed at the meetings. Gcueral approval was also expressed with the suggestion that railway freights on roacl metal should bo reduced at least one-naif.

The suggestion that the principle of expending “thirds” be applied to separate rates, was not very explicit, and apparently does not affect (his distih t. Another proposal was that all bridges over 30-ft span be constructed and maintained out of consolidated revenue, This was approved. That the Cio .vu tenants have the power to elect a member of the L ind Board for the districts' It was thought that this proposal would tend .o unduly increase the number of members of ibe Board. That the Loans to Local Bodies Act be amended so that all unoccupied Na ive and Crown Land in any sue ci il area shall become rateable from the date of occupation.

It was agreed that the proposal to extend the franchise to non-ratepayers for local body elections was inadvisable. That all public wort s be carried out by contract, and not by the co-operative system.

It was decided to support the proposal of the Matamata branch to ask the Canterbury Farmers’ Co-opera-'ive Society to open a branch in the Vue..land province. That the paramount importance of roads opening up good land, us tlie foundation of the prosperity of the colony shouln bo forcibly impressed upon the Government by the Farmers’ Union. This was also approved. That loca, inspectors be given more power to enforce the Noxious Weeds \ct, especially in connec'ion with ragwort and thistles.

It was said that the inspectors had sufficient power, but did not use it. Mr

'iunnius complaiued that blackberries were very plentiful oa -he town ball at Waihou, but he believed that the lu speclor would soon give the matter atlenlion. He thought the belt should be thrown open as a r iad

That the Fencing Act should he amended so as to compel landowners to keep their bouudaty fences clear of til i’ce, fein, and other inflammable rubbish for a distance of nine feet.

That the fanners of New Zealand should endeavour by all constitutional means io prevent the oplion of acquiring the freehold of Crown Lands by solders being eliminated from the land laws of the colony. These are only a few of the proposals, of which the total number is forty-two.

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