FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 245, 22 November 1909, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

TARANAK.I EXECUTIVE MEETING. A meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Executive of Ihe New Zealand Farmers Union was held in Hawera on Thursday. In the absence of the president (Mr. J. W. Jones), Mr. J. Davidson (vice-prcsi-denl) occupied the chair. There were also present: Messrs. R- Lambic. «. Ko«ers, A. Allhuscn, J. Thomson (treasurer), E. Maxwell, T. A. Bridge, and J. li. Sim (provincial secretary). Leave of absence was granted the president and Messrs. I'. J. Virgin and Voullaire. The Dominion Secretary notified thai t.i.e issue of life members' certificates had been formally authorised by tin Advisory Committee, and asked that the names of such lie forwarded— Secretary to supply same. SMALL BIRDS NUISANCE.

The llawkc's Bay Executive wrote soliciting Hie assistance of the farniei in the putting down of the small birds nuisance, anil forwarded a resolution, that all'members of the farming com i,.unity be asked to lay poisoneil gram simultaneously during the period, say. from Kith to 18th July in each year. The opinion of the majority of tin executive appeared to be that the mil ler was not (if vital importance to Taranaki, the province being a grazing country, to which lands, it was thought. (In birds were more beneficial than liarmlii Mr. Maxwell, however, considered that the birds did ns much damage to grazing country as to any other. It was decided to inform the Tlawke'Bay Executive that the Taranaki Executive were in sympathy with the n. but that the matter was not of_\i; importance to this, a grazing district. LAND SETTLEMENT AND VINANCK

The Dominion Secretary forwarded a copy of the Land Settlement and Kin a ne'e Bill for the consideration of no hers. Tin- purpose of the Hill is to pro mole the closer settlement of land by enabling groups of purchasers to buy an estate for subdivision among them aim to raise the purchase-money by -means of a loan guaranteed by the Government. For this purpose any live or more persons may by agreement form an Incorporated Land Association, and may purchase in the name of the association any estate consisting of not less than 250 acres.

The members did not consider the Bill was necessary. However, bclorc coining to a definite understanding it was' decided to defer consideration nil next meeting, and in the meantime tinBill will be looked into bv a coininittei consisting of Messrs. Allhuscn and Maxwell. CROWN LANDS. Mr. Lambic moved: "That in disposing of Crown lands, where there is more than one applicant for a section it ought to be submitted to competition, so that those most in want of laud would have an opportunity of securing it, and the owners get market value tor

Mr. Allbiiseu seconded the moircn which was curried unanimously, the members agreeing that the present system of the disposal of Grown lands is unsatisfactory and is practically a gamble. POLITICAL ACTION. With reference to a scries of recommendations from the Auckland -Executive bearing on the proposal to fcderaU the branches by electing delegates to represent the wishes of their branc.ic: ill each electoral district and takinc action in the selection of Parliamentary candidates. Mr. Allhuscn moved that the executive do not entertain the proposal.

The chairman: I second that, because I think it is not required. Mr. Maxwell said the ma Iter of the Union) taking part in politics had come before the Dominion Conference dining the past years, when the delegates were of opinion thai the Union right lo fane a much stronger poll veal stand, but nothing was done, on the ground that the lime was not ripe. Personally. In thought the time would come when me Union would have to take more pronounced action in politics, not siding with the Opposition as against the (loteminent, but so as to make it a rent poiver as a political orgai 'salio'i, and mil as ". separate partv. Subsequently Mr. Allhuscn amended his motion to read, that the letter hi received and laid on the table for further consideration. In this form the motion was carried. VACANCY" ON THE EXECUTIVE. Mr. Corrigan having been absent from four executive meetings', his seat was declared vacant according to the rules; and it was decided to ask the Toko branch if they would like to be represented on the executive. —Star.