FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 195, 19 June 1903, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

OOKFBRBNrE OF TARANAKI PROVINCIAL DELKGATKb. A meetixq of delegates fom the s of the New Zealand Farmers' Ui .ion within the wh le of the Tara naki Provinoinl Di*t>ict was opened in the Town Hell at 11.15 on Thursday, June 18th. were about fort) delegated present. Mr 0. Leech, of Inglewood, the Vice-President, oooupied the chair iv the absence of the President, Mr R. B. Hamilton, of Minutahi Soutb, who was too indisposed to attend. Among those present were Messrs W. T. Jennings, M.H.R., and J. A. McUurdy (colonial organiser oE the Union). The Mayor (Mr B. Oock) and Mr J; 0. Georgo waited on the delogates to welcome them, and, on behalf of a number of New Plymouth residents, invited the delegates to a smoke concert to be ru-ld ia the Imperial Hotel. Mr Leech thanked them for the kind invitation, and said that the delegates would avail themselves of it. Tbe Conference adjourned till 1 o'clock. At 12.45 members assemble! in front of the Town Hall in order than Mr W. A. Oollis oould take a photograph of the group. After the Vice-President's addres the subjects on tbe order papar were distuned. The order paper is very lengthy. | The Oonferenoe will sit to-day.

ENTERTAINMENT TO DELEGATES. At the invitation of the Mayor and townspeople the delegates were entertained in the evening at a smoke concert at the Imperial Hotel, where a moat excellent light repast was provided on that liberal scale for which Mr Frank Watts is famous. The Mayor (Mr B. Oock) presided, having on hia right Mr Laech (president), and on his left (vice-president of the conference), i There were between thirty and forty delegates present, besides a large number of townsmen, inoluding Messrs E. M. Smih, M.H.R., Newton King, Bewley, S muel, Burgess, T. 8. Weston, , Paul, Q iill am, J. Avery, Kerr, J, 0. George, J E. Wilson, Sole, T. Avety, Wood, Syk»s, Fraser, Teed, Lennon, and others, i The Oaairnan proposed the toast of , " The King," which was honoured in the usual loyal manner. Mr Bamudproposed "The Farmers' , Union of New Ztaland." He said the farm rs had at length felt that union wts strength." They hid had been a long time waking up to this, . but bad done so at last', and had L banded together for the pro'eo ion of fc their united iutere*'s. There were separate divisions of interest in th« , colony, and no doubt the Farmers' i Union f.>rmed one of the largest, Libour had organised and properly so. Commercial mm had.formed Chambers of Commerc, and profession-)! men had formei guills. The Farmerh' Union bid showo a fiir aim, though it was, feared at firs", it wou'd become a' m3re engine, the reault bsing that the Union hid obtained the re,'spect and confidence of all parties. JThsy hid of late years shown an example to o'iher Unions, and dennn.s rated they were not creatures influenced by block votes. He did not {consider they should OTchew politics, I but they must beware and not be made too's of for mere puty purposes. H* advised th<-m to keep befora them high which experience had shown to bo tbe best for their interests and the interests of the colony. He couphd with the toast the name of Mr jLiccb. Mr Lsech; in np'yiog, thanked tbe I townspeopb'for th? pUneant surprise ! prepared for the delegates that even I ing. The tone of Mr Simu I'd remarks was very welcom*, espeoiilly .that the aims of the Union < were appreciated by the townspeople. JHe alluded to the formation of a l Producers' Uuion, which was intended !to swamp the Farmers' Union, bu v , tbe latter refused to hive anything to do with the former, exc?pt to admit them j as Tho Farmers' Uuion was certainly fcoing iito pjlitics, for with out that their union was useless. The; bid everything up-to-date to get the ; b Sj return from the land, therefore | the aim of the Uoion was *o s'uly politics, but to keep down pirty feeling and to deal with all measures effecting . their interests on a broad basis. In spite of predictions, the Firmer*' Union was now tin strongest Un : on in ! the co'ony, numbering, over 20,000 souls, He thanked those present for the very hearty reception given to the I to jat and to the delegates. I Mr Jas. BidJie (Eltrum) as Vio;- , President, said «very member of tbe Uuion would feel proud of the enter tendon d to them tint evening, and ho considered that such a function was preeminently calculated ' to cement tbe good fading between the dwellers of town and country. They p would all carry away with them a most J pleasant feeling for the townspeople, and he most cordially tbanked the t iwn for the kind treatment shown to , the delegates. I Mr T. S. Weston proposed "The Legislature." He referred to the Prej mier as the greatest man the world pjsaosses. He considered that as far as farming interests were concerned, i the Uuion and politics could not b« severed. So bug as the community of interests between the town and country was preserved, and tho Union did not concern itself with affairs outside its own in teres", it would grow in strength ! and usefulness, as well as in popu'ar favour, He couplod with the toast tbe name of Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R. Tho toast was drunk with musioal I

honours, ; Mr Smith, in returning thanks, said it was the duty of every man in t,he jcouutry to t*ko a lively interest in polite* and therefore tha Farmers' Uoion should organise on sound lines. j Ho was proud of representing a dis- ! fct iofc like Njw Plymouth. He hoped to see the farmers always on hia side. As the farmers were the greitest num- [ ber in this country they should naturally reoeive moat consideration from I the legislature. Those who held the , laud no is- on lease would v<?ry likely with proper safeguards be enabled to a qui.'e the freehold. (Applause). He coped the delegitia would enjoy themselves in Naw Plymouth. Bo alluded to the neocssiy of a good harbour when) the largest ocean boats could call either to bad or shelter. We must have a goal birbjur and any man who did not help this forward was a traior to his own and his neighbour's interests. Ho hopid the Harbour Bo.ird wou'd take the harbour to-morrow and wh?n they came bick ha would like the delegates to go to hi* backyard aud ha would enow thara bis plan. (Liughter). Ha pointed out lint limo which the laud wanted wa:. waiting at Mokau to ba used, bui they must have the harbour and they would

[ neve* nv'ss tba paltry thres-furthfogt for such a great boon. Wherever (hart wee a big harbour there wu big- trade and large wealth. He would under every aid in bis power to obtain a suit* able harbour for the district. (Ap> plause). Mr. proposed the Commercial of Taranaki. He eiid the farmers were just as much in'ereeted ui commeics i» the townspeople. He considered that in order that the oomnirce of the district should flourish the armors snouli join hands with the sown in securing the extension of tba harbon-. The farmers should not heeita'otopiyany little rate on account of such extension, as they would reap a corresponding beuerK Unlets tbi harbour was eroded the trade frdm east of Stratford would go to other parts. He mighl; be called a traitor to the farmers for advocating the extension, but be recognised its great iraportanoe to the farming oommunity, and, therefore, he had advocated it. The quostion of representation on the Board v> uld come up at the Oonferenoe, as it was felt the present sys'em was uatdir. He did not believe in hiving Government nominee l ) on the Boirdj and was strongly in favour of representation on a valuation basis; He coupled Mr. Fraeer'i name with toe toast. (Applaus°). Mr. Eraser briefly and humorously returned thanks, In the oourae of hu remarks he emphasised the uni'y of interests of the farming and commwoial communities.

Mr Newton King, in response to loud calls, rose, and was received with loud applause. He said ha regarded the harbour extension as the greatest work to be done for tin district, and he intended to fight for it fair and squire, but with all his might. Mr fioddie pronossd thehealth of the Chairman and the entertainers of the delegates. Ho said he was sure they hud all enjoyed themselves immensely, and had greatly appreciated the entertainment. The toiit was drubk with great enthusiasm and with musical honours. Mr Oock, in responding, expresied the pleasure with which he had listened to the remarks which had f tllen from some of the spe-kors, ehowing that there was so Urge a sympathy between town and oountry people. 1 Mr Paul proposed " The Host tad Hostess," whom ho aid hid catered so handsomely that ev .ning. Judging by the hearty response to the tout, Mr and Mrs Watts' effjrts had evidently met with entire success.

During th i evening torn* excellent vocal items vera given by Messrs Cornwall, O'Sullivan, Maonering, Burr, P rry, Adlam, and Dividsan, the lest nam d roatributing two amusing Sooted songs. Mr P*ul was called on fur no less tfam thro recttitiocs, (11 of waioh wera most he irtily enjoyed, as mi also a fite elccufcionwy effort by Mr Aft* bury and Mr Morton. Mr Morey very kindly phyed the aeoompwimeots in the absence of a professional muiiciar, Mr George stating that, though he hvt tried, he had bee a unable to teen § th? services «.f an sowmp mist. The eutertiinment was vo'ed by one and all to h»vo been one of the noil et joyable fu o ions rhey had attended, and i-. concluded with tha time'honoared " Auld L\ag Syne." The committee in ohirge of the matte" - , consisting of tha Mayor, Messrs 3. 0. George, and Wood, are to be eongratulitsd on the complete sueee* which attaadjd their eff.rts to afford our visitorj a sooial welcome, which they will doubilass bear in miad for some while to come.