FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 108, 3 June 1909, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

OTAGO BRANCH. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. The annual meeting of the Otago branch of the New Zealand Farmers Union was held to-day.( The retiring president (Mr. Scott, M.P.), in moving the adoption of the report and balancesheet, said the branch was in a fairly flourishing condition. Speaking on the defence question, he said he hoped a very strong resolution would be passed. He had given the matter a great deal of thought, and- he could see nothing before them but compulsory militarv training. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr. <i. & Stewart (Crookston) was re-elected president for the ensuing year, and. Mr. A. S. Obeli (Waikouaiti) vice-president. A resolution dealing with the transportation of stock by rail was remitted to the provincial executive, with a view of haying matters improved. A motion affirming the renewal of leases granted under the Act of 1885 was carried, a topy to be forwarded to the Minister of Lands. A motion in favor of makin* it compulsory to either singe or clip -horses during February, March and April, in order to destroy the eggg of the botfly, was carried in the form of a recommendation. It was further decided that all branches should decide on a uniform rate of wages for harvest and threshing- mill'hands throughout Otago. A protest was made against inspectors insisting on Canadian thistles beino- cut before they cams into flower. A° motion in favor of compulsory military training was carried, a recommendation that the sum promised 'by the Government for the Dreadnought be paid within the next twenty years being, added. A. motion opposing the imposition of a duty on imported timber was' also cartied.