FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 139, 3 June 1908, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

OTAGO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. Per Press Association. Dunodin, Last Night. The annual meeting of the Otago i'rovincial Council of the New Zealand Farbers' Union wis held to-day. The president <Mr. It. Scott) reviewed the events of the past year, and said the number of members of the Union was small as compared with the number of ■farmers. He said it was imperative farmers should combine, especially as the other side was doing so, otherwise farmers would be left behind. It was resolved that the Chamber of Commerce hi' requested to Mke up the subject of payment being made to larmors for all sacks containing produce, and a deputation wa.s appointed to wait on the Chamber. A motion was carried that the Provincial Conference I": requested to urge on the .Minister to accede to the request of the Otago brandies to have meetings of the Land Hoard held fortnightly. A m'otion that in the prosecutions by stock inspectors under the Rabbit or Stock Act, when defendant pleads guilty, solicitor's fees be not allowed, was referred a s a remit to the Provincial Council. Mr. E. Scott was re-elected president, and .Mr. G. 11. Stewart re-elected vicepresident. The following resolutions were passed:—)]) That the time has arrived when the Farmers' Union should take up a defined political attitude, and that this resolution be forwarded to the Colonial Council; (2) That the policy as defined by the Union from time to time should be submitted to candidates in each electorate and farmers recommended to consider candidates' replies in exercising their votes. It was maintained that the Union should deal more directly with candidates at election times than had hitherto been the case, so; that the needs of farmers might he brought under the notice of members of the different districts. A further motion was passed as follows:—That as it is largely in the interests of the farming community throughout the Dominion that the boundaries of electorates remain as at present, this conference requests the Colonial Council to interview the Premier and Leader of the Opposition to use their influence'to have the boundaries of electorates left as at present. A further motion was carried: That the Government be asked to prohibit the sale and distribution of all grass seed screenings which contained used seeds. Complaint was made that merchants frequently sold seed screenings to farmers, and Ilrc.se were distributed over the country.