FARMERS' UNION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 392, 18 May 1910, Page 7

FARMERS' UNION

TARATA BRANCH. The ninth annual meeting of the Tarata branch of tiie New Zealand Farmers Union was iheld in Paterson Bros.' room at Tarata on Monday afternoon, 9th inst, Mr. F. J. Virgin presided over a fair attendance. Correspondence was read from Messrs \Y\ C. Cargiil and ¥. Tyrer re wool-classing classes. Members thought that towards 'the end of September would he a suitable time to nOlu a class in Tarata, and that fewer lessons of longer duration would be more suitable alike to instructor and pupils, where the travelling expenses would be am item for, consideration. The matter was held over until next meeting, pending further information on the subject. The order paper for the Provincial Conference was then ta'km 'iud fully discussed. The chairman, in his report, said the past year had been u, quiet one in Fanners' Union matters, but it was pleasing to ,be able to report 'that the membership in the Taranaki provincial district had increased by about 130 members. The Union had been watchful of the farmers' interests, and amongst others things had been instrumental in 'helping to get the legal weight of sacks of grain, etc., for carriage on the railways increased from 20011b to 2061b5, so as "to allow for the weight of the sack and 'shrinkage. During the year two new members had been added to the roll, making tile total number for the Tarata branch 25. The balance-sheet showed receipts, including balance from last year, £l3 Os 9d; laaid expenditure, provincial executive £ll 14s, branch expenses 5s M, leaving a cash balance of £1 Is. The report and baknce-sJieet were adopted. A vote of thanks was accorded the auditor, Mr. R. Paterson, senr. Mr. Virgin intimated that owing to (having gone to reside at Kaimata, it would be inconvenient for him to seek re-election as chairman of the branch. Mr. Virgin was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for the good work 'he had done as chairman and secretary of the Tarata branch durins five last four years. Mr. Virgin, in reply, thanked all present for the hearty vote of thanks they had given him. He was pleased to know that what little he 'toad done for his fellow settlers and himself had been appreciated by them. It was in the interest of the farming community that the Union should be kept going. It was now organised on sound lines, and if it were more generally supported by the farmers they could always see to it that the farmer* got a' "fair deal" in political as well as commercial matters. (Applause). The following were elected a committee of management for the ensuing vea-r:—Messrs G. E. Bkhell, T. Ghantney, J. W. Grieve. H. Sander, R. Steuart F. J. Virgin, T. E. Vile, H. Waite and J. Waite. Mr. T. R. Vile was elected chairman and secretary, Mr. T. Chamney vice-chairman, and Mr. R. Pater.-on, senr., auditor. The annual subscriiption iwas fixed at the same rate as last year.

HAWERA BRANCH. A committee meeting of the Hawern, branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held on Saturday .afternoon. The ■principail 'business was the consideration of the remits which .are to come before the Taraimki Provincial Conference Hit Elthaui this week. There are no fewer than 20 set down for discussion, and with one or two exceptions these were approved by the branch. In the oaise of the remit from the Kaponga branch, "That .persons borrowing from State Departments should be allowed to insure their Iniildrngs in any reputable office," the chairman said he 'was of the opinion that they could do this at the (present time, ia. view which was generally supported. One member remarked that if there had been any underhand business, as alleged, :the ottier insurance companies ...would not have remained quiet. The remit, however, was approved. It was decided to instruct ltih« branch delegate to support among the remits those dealing with the formation of a milk-testing association, the resisting by members of 'Parliament of Taranahi any further taxation on land, the rating of native lands on the same basis as European, the issue of a monthly agricultural journal by the Government, the amendment of the Crown Suits Aet so iais to allow persons who had suffered injury from any department of State to take their cases to Court in the ordinary way. "That gets battered about every year," said Mr. Corrigan with a smile, referring', to the last remit on 'the order .paper from Opunake, "That this conference would strongly urge 'the Government to construct 'the Opunake .railway.'' Mr. Corrigan considered there would be little chance of getting this particular railway built until all other lines at present in progress were through.—Star.