FARMERS' UNION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 286, 30 May 1912, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION

SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER.- : By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston North, Last Night. The Prime Minister attended the annual dinner of the Wellington branch of the Farmers' Union last night. He re- l ceived a hearty reception. In the course '■ of a speech he defended the action of the Government in setting up the Civil ■ Service Commission and other commissions. He said he would do all he possibly could in helping the agricultural needls of the Dominion, and added that as long as prices kept up matters would be satisfactory, but if they fell then sorabody would have to carry the baby. " He dealt with the necessity of co-ordi- >■■ nnting the education system, and said that lie believed the defence scheme was on the right lines, as long as it did not • become extravagant. No tears need be shed for him by his friends. "He was perfectly willing to submit to the decision of Parliament when it met. Commercial and financial men were mostly wanted to carry on the work of Parliament.

The Prime Minister has left for Wa- ' : nganui. .SHORTAGE OF LABOR. ; Palmerston North, Last Night. The conference of the Wellington '.• branch of the New Zealand Fanners'' ; : ' Union resumed at Palmerston North to- '' day. It was decided to protest against '' the dual control which permits Maori councils to issue dog licenses, and to ask ;' the Government to pass legislation mak- ' *■ ing county councils the sole authority in that direction. It was decided to send «L a remit to the Dominion conference, ask- ' \ ing that a Seed-growing Association 'i should be formed. A discussion- occurred > on a remit to the effect that the question of the shortage of farm and domestic * labor should be brought under the notice, /'t of the Government. Several speakers '•% complained l that farm development was '?' being retarded through the shortage of* u. farm labor, and that the only solution "•< of the problem -was a suitable emigration * scheme. The president (Mr. J. G. Wil- *, son) said that unsuccessful attempts „ad '* been made by the Union to get out 'I 1 more Sedgwick boys. The Union had V 1 considered) the advisablenese of entering l :j, into an immigration scheme of its own, ' '{ but the Government had put so many '/ embargoes on the proposal that it wag , l < decided in the meantime not to proceed fi. further with the scheme. He was '>>] hopeful that the Government would ? eventually assist. The remit was , , adapted.

The conference decided: "That this 4 conference •wishes to convey to the Min- • ister of Defence its appreciation ,of the 1 firm stand he has taken in administering , the Defence Act." The conference' also ' decided that inland mail contracts should be altered to give country settlers • t greater benefits, so that, where possible, <% settlers should get the benefit of rural ''"' delivery, and, further, that the price of v$ private bags should be reduced when de* v, livered only twice a week. On the ques-. V tion of drovers' licenses it ■was decided ■ ■; that allnight licenses should be issued in <i duplicate, one copy to be forwarded to ' the police, and that the attention of the '' Department be called to the faci that *'n drovers are driving at night without '& licenses. \i The following officers were elected:— '*' President. :Mr. J. G. Wilson; vice-presi- )'\ dent, Mr. W. ,T. Buick; executive, Messrs. * i Evan Campbell, H. Booth, J. Balsillie, ".,' Capt. Hewitt;, K. W. Dalrymple, P. ~, Hockley, Alex. Howie, H. E. Elder,,W. , ''s B. Matheson, John Morrison, Hugh Mor- •' fi rison, H. A. Nevins, G. Hodgins; dele- \* gates to the Dominion conference, *■£ Messrs. H. A. Nevins and Thos. Moss, ..Jg The conference will be held at Welling-. $ ton on July 30 next. The provincial con* "M ference will Ibe held at Maetertoß. 'S - M

FARMERS' INSURANCE ASSOCIATION, '*' Palmera ton North, Last Night. V '>}} The annual meeting of the Wellington " ■«' Farmers' Union Mutual Fire Insurance '/ Association was held this morning, Cap* 'jtain Hewitt (chairman of directors).pre- , l * siding. The report showed that the new business effected during the year amounted to £46,226, ami that the total insurances now held amount to £186,978, of which £115,4911 was reinsured. There are 674 policy holders. Several-butter '.' and cheese factory risks are included in the new business. Claims amounting to £403 were paid during the year. The losses paid im the last six years amounted to only .£lOll6. The directors had i'/ ! decided 1 to accept grain risks, .but the dif- ]} ficulty of inspection had to be considered, '• For the purpose of investing the fuinis \v> it had been decided to advance small ' V sums to farmers, on approved security. *?' The report and balance-sheet were \ >; . adopted, after the chairman had con- '"£ gratulated members on the saHafactory i] state of the finances. The directors re- ; solved that rates on first-class risks from ■ i June I be reduced from & 6d to Bs. '#'■ The following were elected director* ■ - for the year:—Captain Heddtt, and' "5 Messrs. J. G. Wilson, W. J. Birch, J. *!;■ Balsillie, Alex. Howie, E. Law, H. Booth, 'if J. Morrison and 0. A. Nevins. . .;"■'