FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 208, 24 August 1908, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

TARANAKI EXECUTIVE MEETING,

A meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Fanners' Uuiun was held on Thursday, Present: Messrs. E. Maxwell, president (Opunake), J. Davidson (Hawera), A. Alihusen (Kapmiga), it. Eamliie (Opu■lake), S. l-'orsyih (Pihama), J. Thomson (Xgaire), J. \V. Jones (Patca), J. V. Murray (Kithani), V. Blair (Otakeho), and ,1. Stevenson (Kapuni). Kivrrlea brunch enclosed a donation of_ .a 10s, Elthain .Co, and Opunak-.; .C 7, while other branches had promised donations— On the motion of Mr. Davidson and Dm .president, a vote of thanks was accorded the branches. FIRE INSURANCE.

The Prime Minister, writing in rou'y to a query from the secretary, said that it was one of the implied conditions ...f Hie .Department's mortgage that settlers borrowing from the Advances to Settlers' Ollice should insure their buildings in the State Fire Insurance Ollice.

An irregular discussion showed Urn:, members were decidedly of the opinion that borrowing settlers should not he debarred from insuring in the Mnlimi Ollice. That was the feeling of the settlers.

-Mr. AllliHson moved, "That. as the Government and the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurances were established for the same object, namely, the reduction of premiums, any farmer borrowing from the Advances to Settlers Ollice should bo allowed on application to insure with the Mutual."

Mr. Thomson seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. :FOLITICAL ATTITUDE. •A letter was read from Mr. F. Colbeck, of Auckland, regretting the decision of the Union not to form a farmers' party to take a more prominent stand in politics. He offered to deliver addresses in any town in Taranaki, and that he would convince !)5 per cent, cf those, present that the formation of a farmers' party was our only chance of salvation. The discussion was taken in committee, when the following motion was carried by t) to 3:—"That Mr. Colbcek's attention he drawn to the motion passed at Colonial Conference re political attitude, and that the Jixccutive regret they consequently cannot officially invile him to address farmers on the formation of a farmers' party." Mr. Davidson moved, "That Mr. Colbeck be informed that the Executive have no objection to his addressing the electors on the subject of funning a farmers' party, and that individual members of the Executive will support him in liis endeavor."

Mr. Murray seconded the motion, which was lost, only the mover and seconder voting for it. SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION BILL.

E. Jack, Dominion secretary, forwarded circular re Shearers' Accommodation Bill, lie said that the Dominion Conference strongly protested against Hie provisions of the Bill as being harassing, impracticable, and unnecessary. 'Mr. Davidson moved, "That the Executive protests against the Shearers - Accommodation Bill in toto as at present drafted, and that members for Taranaki be asked to oppose same." Mr. Lanibie seconded the motion, which was carried.

After dealing with finance the meet iug adjourned.—Star.