N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 252, 23 March 1914, Page 3

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

TAIIAXAIU EXECUTIVE MEETINC A meeting of the Tiiraimki Provincial executive of the .\'ew Zealand Fanners' Union was held in Ilawera on Thursday. Present: .Messrs. I{. Dunn (in the chair), E. Washer, E. Marfell, .]. Swindlehurst, 11. Jl. Buxton, J. Thomson, J. S. Barrow, J. Davidson, J. B. Sim (provincial secretary). Apologies for ah sencc were received from Messrs. A. Hunter, R. Lanibic, and D. J. Willis. The chairman took the opportunity of welcoming Mr. E. Marfell back to the executive after his trip to the Old Country, and moved u resolution expressing the executive's pleasure at his return.—Carried—Mr. Marfell briefly replied.

A letter was received from the secretary of the AVellington Wharf Laborers' Industrial Union with reference to badges for members of the Union.

The secretary was authorised to write to the members who went to Wellington intimating that badges were available at Wellington,

The Auroa branch forwarded a' resolution stating it was in favor of the Suggestion of the executive with reference to the appointment of an organiser.

The. Ilawera branch advised that its members were not in favor of a provincial organiser. It w:is difficult lor branches to keep together members who had been enrolled by a canvasser. The Ilawera County Council wrote that the executive could have the use of the council chamber for its meeting, but that a charge of 2s fld (not a rental) would be made to cover the cost of cleaning.—The offer was accepted. The! Prime Minister advised that the executive's resolution asking the Government to make statutory urovision for the establishment of a junior agricultural collegiate school at Ilawera would receive careful consideration.

The Dominion secretary (Mr. E. C ; Jack) advised that the levy for 1014-13 had been fixed at 3s per member, an increase of fid on the present year. A discussion took place as to the; irregularity with which members went j to other' districts without notifying j their branch secretaries. A resolution was carried authorising the m'ovinciiil secretary to write to the branch secretaries intimating that it was desirable that members leaving for another district should ask for a transfer. The. annual conference is* to be held at Patea in May, and Mr. Washer was empowered to make arrangements for the use of a room. Remits have to be. in bv next meeting. Mr. Marfel! said there seemed to be a tendency for toll gates to be increased, and he thought the exec ll ve might consider if there were some other means of increasing the local bodies funds. In England he believed a tax was put on motor soirits, and if a declaration was made that it was required for stationery engines a rebate was given.. This might be a means of providing the revenue. The president suggested that t»e question be discussed at the conference, and Mr. Marfell promised to bring the subject forward as a remit.—Hawera " Star."