FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 294, 21 May 1915, Page 7

FARMERS' UNION.

THE TARANAKI CONFERENCE, 1 ' GATHERING AT INGLEWOOD. I IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED. The fifteenth annual conference of the Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held at the Druids' Hall, Inglewood, yesterday, when there was a good attendance of members. The president (Mr. A. Hunter, of Hawera) occupied the chair, and the delegates from the various branches present were: Messrs S. Norris (Eltham), R. Umiilo (Opunake), A. Cleaver (Te Roti), A. C. Johnstone (Auroa), C. E. MeGuinness (Mangatoki), B. Orr (Ngaere), H. Hodge (Patea), G. T. Davidson (Kaimata), 0. M. Young (Otakeho), and M. F. Voullaire. (Riverlea). Among the others present were Messrs J. Swindlehurst (Eltham), J. Thomson (Ngaere), G. Capper (Inglewood), E. Maxwell, w! Pennington, and B. Booker (Eltham). Apologies for absence were received from Mr. J. B. Hinc, M.P., and Mr. Davidson.

WELCOMED TO INGLKWOOD.

Messrs H. Okey. M.P., the Mnvor of Inglcwocd (Mr. W. Young), and the chairman of the Chamber of Com-iurc-(Mr. \V. Percival) waited on the conference.

The Mayor extended a hearty welcome to the conference, and expressed the hope that it would prove in all ways satisfactory. Ke also invited them to a light repast in the evening. Mr. Percival, on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, also welcomed the conference, which he said was a most representative body. The prosperity of I the country depended on the farmers, and he therefore hoped that the conference that day would result in benefit accruing not only to the farmers, but to the community generally. Farmers individually wore the best of fellows, but collectively they were sometimes a little bit awkward. The entertainment to which the conference was invited that evening was only a quiet affair—he was sure they would all realise that the present was not a time for rejoicing In conclusion, he expressed the hope that the conference would spend a useful, instructive, and beneficial day Mr. H. Okey. M.P., thanked the conference for inviting him to attend the gathering. He expressed the hope that their deliberations would prove of benefit to not only farmers, but the community generally. They had many important matters to come before them that day, and there was one to which he would briefly refer. When Parliament next met some provision would lie to meet the expense incurred in connection with the present great war. Some people had suggested that this should be met by the producers, but he considered this unfair. Mr. Massev had recently stated that the expense 'incurred by the Dominion on account of the war had already amounted to £2,000000 and would* cost a further £O,OOO - 000 by the end of the year. He thought that this was a question that the Farmers' Union should discuss, and in which they should have a voice, for they could not be expected to bear the whole of that £6,000,000. He could not agree with those people who suggested that the producers should bear the whole of the cost. The producers were mainly struggling farmers, often paying hi</h rents, and it would not be right that they should be called upon to bear th» eost and the more wealthy landowner get off "seot free." The Mayor briefly thanked the Mayor and Mr. Percival for their welcome.

THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

Mr. Alex. Hunter, the president, delivered the following address:—Gentlemen, it again falls to my lot to give an account to you of ray stewardship, and I must say to begin with that I have not been able during the past year to satisfy myself as regards attention to the activities of the union, and regret that 1 did not adhere to my intention of a year ago to then retire from the presidency, an error I have no mind To repeat. I have been absent from too many executive meetings to have done justice to the position; and when, from any cause, one's efficiency is impaired ' it is his duty to make room for one who will give closer attention to the duties involved. My lapse has hem largely due to the pressure of work in connection with the Farmers' Co-oper-ative Society, and I suppose I may, on that score, claim your indulgence',' for what a friend gets is never lost. The formation of this society must, from our point of view as farmers, be considered an event of no little importance, marking as it does a step forward in co-op-eration as regards our province The good results of co-operation on these lines in other parts of the Dominion, in Denmark, Holland, and our own Mother Country show that success is possibleand if farmers take a live interest in their society, such success will be assured. The thanks of the farmers are due to Mr. Btickeridge and those gentle-! men associated with him in the work! of organising the society, a task which demanded dogged perseverance and the sacrifice of no little time.

During the year the union had an opportunity to show its svmpathv with the sufferers in connection with the Huntly disaster, and rose to the occasion in a worthy manner, the fund being liberally contributed to. As regards organisation, we are no further ahead than we were a year ago, but it is to be hoped that some step forward will bo made in "the near future. The Kaponga branch has been resuscitated, and it is a pleasure to us all to again welcome delegates from a branch'which in the past has supplied live men, and which we trust will continue to do. Our thanks are due to Messrs Dunn and Pim, who showed their devotion to the union by attending, in the face of very severe weather, the meeting called for the purpose of in-forming the branch. This occasion cannot be allowed to pass without some mention of the most excellent work being done bv Mr. I!rowne in connection with the agricultural instruction in South Taranaki. He is an enthusiast, a man of ability and tremendous energy, who misses no opportunity of increasing his knowledge and consequent usefulness by studv, personal experiment and investigation and observation of the experience of others; and I consider that this Dominion oilers no position in that line which he would not fill with credit. It is to the interest of the province and of the Dominion that such men receive every encouragement and assistance.

Among measures passed by our Legislature during the- last few years are quite a number which this Union lias steadily ad von; ted. If. has only been through hammering away that we have sureeeded in having these proposals carried into effect, and the results should encourage us In persist with others--among I hem tlie .Stallions Bill, which this Union and the A. and P. societies have almost unanimously been demanding for many years. In many cases the delay has not been altogether a ba.l thing, for it has resulted in the proposals being viewed and eriH«i='"l »«>rn every standpoint, and whs;. rt„. ]-,

vincial and Dominion Conferences have pulled a measure to pieces two or three times, if the union still advocates it, the (iovernnient of the dn.y, whatever it may be, will not lightly throw it aside. J do not intend to recount the list of these attainments,- but would draw the attention of delegates to some of them which are set forth iiwide the back cover of the Farmers' Union Advocate, which I hope yon will take and read. It is a paper well worthy your attention, the subscription is very moderate, and Mr. Sim will be only too pleased to take the names of any who do not already subscribe but are willing to help the union in this way. Our worthy Dominion President has. in recognition of his good work in connection with matters agricultural and pastoral—the main industries of this | country—had conferred upon him the Order of Knighthood, upon which the union as a body, I feel sure, sincerely congratulates him. Sir James Wilson has also been called to fill the position of first president of the Board of Agriculture, a position to which he will add dignity, and in which his wide knowledge shouldV have the scope it merits.

For, I understand, the first time in the history of the union, apart from ■' conference times, the Dominion executive met in February last at Wellingj ton, when I had the honor of being present. The meeting was well attend" ed, and dealt with many matters of interest, the result of which has already been conveyed to the provincial executive. It will not be out of place here F to urge delegates to do all in their , .power to keep before farmers the duty . as well as the advantages of supporting . the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Associ.v tion. It does not receive the support it . deserves. Why every farmer who is I free to do so cannot insure with the . Mutual I cannot understand. Owing to the advocacy of the union power "has been granted to the Mutual to extend their operations to accident risks, and when the arrangements are completed to open up that line of business, I trust that farmers will show their loyalty by making it a success. And lastly I come to the topic which, almost to the. exclusion of all others, all-

sorbs the attention of not only we Britons and our Allies, but of practically the whole world—and especially of the Prussians. When war broke out in August last industries and commerce were somewhat dislocated by such a rude jolt. Ibis, however, was only for a short time, and (he Dominion and the Empire quickly settled down and adjusted themselves to the position, any evidences of panic quickly disappearing The ir., rm . ers' Union was, particularly in the early stages of the trouble, enabled, on account of its organisation, to materially assist the Government in the despatch ot the Expeditionary Forces Men money, horses, fodder," meat, and other foodstuffs were provided without stint. On short notice farmers with agricultural land rushed in extra crops to provide food, and how necessary this wis has only become really apparent as the shortage of cereals has been revealed, the devastation so ruthlessly carried out by the invaders of plucky little Belgium left a starving, homeless, and outraged people.' Xow Zealanders have again risen to the occasion, and "hen freely of money, food, and cloth in"and will continue to do so. And \vo must not forget that Servia and Poland are m much the same straits as Hoiglum, Servia being from a hygienic point of view m a deplorable condition It : s considered by many that there will be local distress as time goes on, and after ' a discussion by the executive Mr Thomson, our worthy ex-treasurer set the ball rolling by making „ donation, and this has been followed by Mr. Mills and others, while the Otakcho branch has taken the matter up, and the other day sent in a cheque. The drought lias hit the Dominion, or rather a great part of it, pretty hard, thougb our position as a whole is not so bad as Australia's However Hawko's Bay, Wairarapa.' parts of Auckland, Canterbury, and Mar borough have had a very bad time of it, and the shortage of shipping .we has made the position worse Taranaki has less cause to complain than most parts, and the exceptional prices trough about by the war, combined with the shortage of cereals and beet supplies, has made the income of the Dominion very large indeed. It is therefore our duty and privilege to assist 'o the utmost limit, and T do not doubt for a moment that the farming community will do its share. The wastage in men at the front is very heavy, and we must face the position and keep the ranks closed up, "each stepping where his comrade stood." Our Kmpire has wi*h practically one accord, sunk all minor dillerences.and buckled to the task wi'h a determination to uphold the right and a firm conviction of the justice" of •our cause. We all hope and pray for peace, but only peace with honor The calmness of true peace is only consistent with strength in one form or another and should not be confused with the stillness which is only stagnation, or the acquiescence which but betokens the spirit of the slave. We cannot but be proud of the clean record of the Alied troops, and that in the face of barbarities which almost baffle the imagination. When we went to school we despised those who did not "play Jie game," and now that we have grow,, older we cannot descend to the level set by those directing the efforts of our toes. The hour of trial has revealed a strength of character in the people of the Allied nations which our enemies believe did not exist, and this same strength of character will be the "reat-c-st factor, I think, in the overtthiw which I do not doubt, of the cult of blood and iron. 'The care exercised in

the selection of our own Xew Zealand troops ,s only a recognition by our military leaders of the importance of this iactor, and has been justified, I thinkyon will all admit, by the undvin.r Morions record they arc IKW establish,.' Air. Maxwell moved a very heartv vote_ of thanks to the president for his services to the union, and for his tl |,i,. address. Mr. llunl.T had referred lo us absence from some of their nicotines but during that time he had been working very hard j„ the benefit of the farming community. (Applause.) Mr. S. Xorris seconded, and the vote was earned unanimously

control op ih;yix<; MEAT. The following remit froni the Kllhani branch was „, m( , ( | |„, Mn Swindle-Imrst:—-Tluit in view' ol' the present unsatistactory arrangements for the freezing ami shipping of meat, this conference is of opinion that the (iovernnient should take more direct control of the buying of ,„,.„(, f rum p,-,,,!,,,.,.,-* ■■ Mr. Swindlehurst said lie understood that the freezing works were gettiii" more than their share of the proiits on meat. Mr. Korris, in seconding, said he had been informed that the meat at present was wortli ,C2 5s per hundred pounds but the fanners were getting only a ■Mr. Maxwell thought that they were asking the (lovenimcnt to remedy a fault of their own, Tt was imperative if they wish to retain the full reward bf their industry to retain full eon! ml They should have freeziuu' works' of their own, when they would secure every penny from their out put. Mr. Thomson said they had in the past leant too much on tlie Ooveniment He heartily supported the erection hj" t!i" Mrnii-". t'>i'i:c-', ivcs of a co-epcra'--

Mr. I.ambie said they had a lot to thank the proprietary companies for, hut they certainly nilcd the joust at the present time. In South Canterbury the fanner:* possessed co-operative works, hut their position was not particularly good, as they wen' a little behind the times—as farmers usually were •■■not In. ing enough 'V; :-:',ing span'.. They all knew that it was cheaper to keep the sheep and cattle in the freezing chamber than in the paddock. However, if they erected a fanners' cooperative freezing works, they would have to pull together much better Hum they had done in the past. The Farmers' Union had done much to unite the farmers, but much remained to be done. If they asked the Government to go any further they would have to ask them to take over complete control of the freezing companies. He could not see his way to support the motion.

Mr. Hunter said the present was a most extraordinary time, and thengreat trouble was lack of space, tie believed in supporting the farmers' freezing companies, but they could not blame the proprietary companies. There was not a real co-operative freezing company in New Zealand, but the trouble with the farmers' concerns was that they were all under-capitalised, ed to meet these unusual circumstances. With regard to the price paid by the companies lie thought that they had paid as much as they could afi'ord. Those who had studied the balancesheets of farmers' freezing companies were perfectly well aware that tliey were not making much out of it. Many were paying their dividends from investments. Several new works were in the course of erection or were about to be erected, and he was doubtful whether there would be sullicient stock coming forward to keep them all going. The farmers held most of the capital in the various companies, and could get most of the things they required, but they had not taken care to retain their control. '

On putting thb motion, it was defeat on the voices.

THE WAR TAX. Mr. S. Morris, on behalf of the Eltham branch, moved as follows:—That this conference is of the opinion that m order to distribute the war tax fairly a. percentage increase on the present sources of taxation would meet the case.

.Mr. Voultaire in seconding, said lie could see no reason why producers should bear the expense, as had been suggested. Mr. Maxwell said the various politicians throughout the world had agreed that this was the fairest way. ' He thought, however, that they might add the words "land, income and customs" after the word "taxation." This was agreed to.

Mr. Davidson supported Mr. Maxwell's remarks. He suggested, further a 5 per cent, tax on the money passing through the totalisator. He also considered that veterans' pensions should he increased to meet the extra.cost of living. 'Present-day racing did not tend to produce the class of horses suitable for remounts.

Mr. Capper said the tax should .be put more on the wealthy. He also supported a tax on the totalisator. The chairman said he had noticed that many of the more wealthy fanners had given large contributions to the various funds, but their incomes had not been increased at all compared with previous years. .Tt would lie very difficult to devise a fair scheme of taxation that would treat all equally. With regard to racing, he thought that all wo,,],' admit that without anv racing the very necessary thoroughbred sjres 'would not lie available. Too much attention 'was certainly paid to sprinters. ai„l not enough to weight-carriers. They should encourage steeplcchasing more " _ 'Mr. Okey said he did not know that ■lo could add very much to what lie had already said. They, would all admit, that the Government would have to he very careful in increasing the Customs tax; consideration should be jnven to those with limited incomes. There was no necessity to put on heavy taxes to meet the expenses as they were "H'urrod. They were borrowing the money over a term of twenty years This was the best way, and there was no reason for heavy taxation. The land could not stand a very "roat increase of taxation at the present time, ami he did not think there would he anv very great increase. The motion was carried unanimously

INSPECTION OF ENGINES. In moving the next remit, Mr. Washer said there was quite a number of farmers using oil engines, and -CO or 70 her cent, did not know, there was a tax on them. Tie moved-—That the f'o vernment be urged to exempt from in-c-pection all oil engines used in farm work; also that this conference is of the "Pinion thatthe fee charged is unwarrantable, seeing- that there is less risk In this connection than with mam- i„iplemeuts used on the farm. The fees were too heavy, and there was no danger Kliatever connected with it. It was not an important remit, but it was ' l ir !lU £ r tl '" t S,IO " W ,lV r ™ic(liecl Mr. Buxton,, in seconding, said that it was not a necessity to have oil engines examined. Tt was quite right to safeguard against accident, but if they were given a certificate that the machine was properly erected there was no necessity for further examination un•ess mi. alteration was made. Mr. Young said on one occasion he narrowlv esca,pe f | accident, and he considered that it was necessary to have some inspection. The fee was only a small one.

Mr. Maxwell endorsed Mr. Young's rn-narK nlthoiHi ho agreed that manv other farm implements were more dangerous.

Mr. MeGuinnoss said that lie nad had an oil engine in four years, and it had never b"en inspected.

Mr. Davidson said the inspectors should have control of the erection of nil engines. Tf so, he wouM support tile remit, hut not otherwise. Mr. Voultairo considered thnt some infection w;is necessary, and should be carried out in a more thorough manner.

Mr. -Washer said he was obier-ting to tile hnnhczard manner in which the msM"c(ion was mnrto and tlie fees collected. The motion was then -put. and lost.

r"REi'Kiri-:\:t'E to uxionists. Mr. Lamliie, in moving the. following remit for tile Opunake branch, said it was only fair:—That this conference of the \ew Zealand Farmers' Union has consistently opposed preference to unionists, hut if it is still to he continued then the. Farmers' Union, should he included. Tie had. however, never heard preference, to unionists justified, ami he would not he disappointed to see the latter portion cut out. However, there, would he no harm in sending this remit forward. He wished to see tile union extended, and, in that connection, was sorrv that an organiser had not been appointed,' as had lieen previously suggested. Mr. Pennington seconded. Mr. Maxwell said, whilst it appeared ouiv reasonable to include the Farmers' Union as suggested, if was not practiI cal. They had iterated and reiterated the opposition to preference to union. isK who were handed tne-efhc- *«.;• J their own =<T,l, i -. „ I ' " > ' '' ' ""■» -" flu piaeu:

" and would ask the Dominion Confer enee to urge on the Government to inaki preference illegal." The mover and seconder accepted this amendment.

I The motion was then put and carried I unanimously. I'IiEI'KRKXCIO TO BRITAIN AND IIKR ALLIES. (Mr. Capper moved the following remit, but said he could not support it: That the farmers of the Dominion be asked to give preferance to British goods.

■Mr. Maxwell said to allow this to lapse would infer that tbev were not in agreement with 'preference to the Allies. They had reached a stage when they were bound to assist themselves and their friends rather than assist their deadly enemies. It was absolutely absurd to support such barbarous races lis the German and Austrian people. They had to protect themselves against these, and this would not be completed at the end of the present war. Thev would have eventually to protect themselves by preference. The American people had utterly condemned themselves,, during the present great crisis. Although they were a partv to the same treaties as the Allies, the first move they made was to capture all the trade possible through the war, and then to cry out when it was interfered with. Next to the Germans and Austrians, they would in future be held in the utmost ..contempt. The, almighty dollar was the only thing that influenced them. The remit was not broad 'enough; it should include the Empire and its Allies.

It. was decided to make, the remit reach "Goods of the British Empire and its Allies," in place of only British goods.

Messrs Davidson and Pennington supported this.

The chairman said it was only natural that they should support this. Mr. Lainbie said it was going to be a. very serious matter for the Empire to face, the cheaper living', worse conditions, and poorer wages" of other countries, which allowed them to turn out cheaper articles. This could only he laced by preference, and the question was a national or international one. The motion was carried.

QUALIFIED VETERINARY SURGEONS. Mr. Watson moved, and Mr. Norris seconded:—"That no one be allowed to practice as a veterinary surgeon unless duly qualified." Mr. Capper opposed this. There were many capable men who were not certificated. The chairman also opposed the remit. He did not think that they realised the almost unlimited application which could be made of this suggestion. Mr. Davidson said ho had been instructed to oppose this by the Kaimata branch, and should do so strongly. Mr. Norris said the motion would only prevent an unqualified man from practising and receiving fee 3. The motion was defeated. REMOUNTS.

For the Kaimata branch, Mr. Davidson moved:—"That the Government be strongly urged to take steps to improve the class of horses required for artillery and remounts." If a horse fair was attended how many serviceable horses of the description given could be found, and if there were any, how many of them were sound? The remit should be strongly supported. Mr. Capper seconded. The class of horse in the country was deteriorating. Mr. Okey said the Government was empowered by a bill passed last year to spend £4(100 to improve the class of horses. A sum of £2llO was paid towards approved horses. In view of this information, Mr. Davidson withdrew the remit.

DOG TAX. Mr. Davidson then moved the following remit from the Kaimata branch:— "That borough and county councils he asked to place the same'tax on sluts of all breeds the same as on sporting dogs." Mr. Capper seconded, but said he could not support the motion. The motion was lost. LACK OF RAILAVAY ROLLING STOCK. The following remit from the Patea branch was moved by Mr. Hodge:— "That the Government he. urged to obtain more rolling stock for the convenience of settlers, as great inconvenience is often caused by not being able to obtain necessary trucks and vans." The mover said this applied particularly to dairy stock. The shrinkage on cheese was considerable, and meant a big loss to the province. Also in connection with this, he might state that they had lost £2OOO on an '.£Booo loan through having to take metal oil' railway trucks a long time before they could 'use it. Mr. Washer seconded.

Mr. Okey said this was a matter for the Minister of Railways. ft was brought up in Parliament every year, and he was satisfied that the 'department was doing all it could possibly do to keep pace with requirements. 'The Government had gone in for a considerable loan for railway matters, and the provision of extra trucks would be one of the matters on which the money would be spent. The chairman suggested that the department might, if given sufficient notice, make arrangements to deal with any extraordinary demand.

Mr. Hodge pointed out that such arrangements were already made for dealing with dairy produce, but there was not sufficient to go round. The motion was carried.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT. The chairman moved:—"That endorsement he given to Mr. McQueen's proponed amendment to the National Endowment Act." Mr. Hunter said the national endowments were practically all third-class lands, and if a man hail a lease of it lie was inclined to take all he could out of it and he satisfied. If lessees were given the freehold they would farm them very much better. Mr. Maxwell seconded, and commended the remit to the approval 1 of all the delegates. The municipalities did. not object to the system. The motion was carried. EXHIBITION OF AfHiTCULTUKAL IMPLEMENTS. "That A. and P. Associations lip asked to encourage the exhibition of agricultural implements, as they are of particular interest and benefit to farmers." In moving this, Mr. Washer said these shows were the only place in which many farmers had an opportunity to see implements. Air Johnstone said it was chiefly due to the high railway charges that tlie hig machinery firms had combined in a decision not to exhibit. ■Mr. drr and the chairman endorsed Mr. Johnstone's remarks, and the motion was then carried. Mr. Washer then moved, and Mr.'Pennington seconded:--"That the O'overnment be asked to consider the oue-sfiou of reducing the frci"'>r on - ■>■■,..t't-r-i! pm:''- nts which -.,-, C. . ■••.'" !■;.-,„ .'• , ■ ■■ 'I «-"--. : i. - ,, t{ , ~,.,., ' ... -.1 (~ ;..,,., >{ ..,.,„•,, r)|| ' Jiuif lo another at reflated rates, ai-

stead »f having to return to the station of consignment to obtain the rebate. _ Mr. Maxwell suggested that tin; motion lie amended and tile (lovernmerit requested to allow this.

'J'be eliairnian said lie was not sure tliat such ii. regulation was not in existence, as the railway employees were not always fully aware of such regulations.

This was agreed to and carried.

DAIRY FACTOKY MANAGERS' CERTIFICATES. "Now that the dairying industry lias become sueli an important one and takes such an important place in the primary industries of the Dominion, this' conference is of opinion that factorv managers, cheese and butter makers, should be required, in appointments made after a reasonable period lias elapsed to permit of the change, to hold certificates j of competency, and this 'conference would ask tiie Board of Agriculture vo consider the question of' the prop;>r training of such." Mr. Maxwell moved this remit. While some dairy factory managers were particularly conscientious men, others were not so. Assistants at present were employed on a recommendation from a, maiwer Alany managers would not like to refuse' such

recommendations, and often a poor man obtained a position who was not fullv capable of doing the work. In some cases the industry suffered, and it was too important an industry not to be safeguarded in a proper manner, lie was not disparaging those at present employed in the industry, many of whom were capable men. 'lie considered it would be better f„"r both the industry and those employed in it. Mr. Orr seconded.

Mr. Penington was not in favor jf this. He had been connected with tle> Eltham company for many years, and they had always found their'assistants very capable men, and moved them up. Mr. Orr said he had sometimes known third and fourth assistants more competent than the first.

Mr. Washer supported the motion. Mr. Umbio also supported the motion, and expressed the opinion flint tlie best factory maiiajriTa would also do si.. It could do much good, and could not possibly do any harm. There wis, however, no institution that he knew where such certificates could be obtained. Mr. Maxwell said these would be provided. Mr. Capper supported the motion. Mr. Jolmstoiie moved that the smwestion lie oh the table for twelve months. Men were scarce, and they would probably be much more so next year. Mr. Swindlehurst seconded. Mr. Voulaire supported the amendment.

The. chairman pointed out that the suggestion could not come into force for several years. Mr. Maxwell agreed with Mr. Pennington that factories large enou<m should train their own men. But this was not possible in smaller factories. He did not suggest that this matter be rushed forward, but that the New Zealand Farmers' Union Central Conference bring the matter before the Agricultural Board, and if it was found possible to provide means to give the certificate, the board would recommend it to the Government. It would be some time before it could be brought into Force. On being put to the meeting, nine voted each way, and the chairman said, as it was purely an innovation, he gave his casting vote in favor of the amendment.

TEKTC PLANTING. "That the Government be asked to encourage tree planting on as much land as possible in each district if such land is too poor to be practically farmed, especially the planting of su'ch land as is infected with noxious Weeds, with a view to their supprcssio/i, and also to prevent the weeds spreading ' to better and comparatively clean land. Mr. Maxwell, in moving this, said it was an old hobby of his, and was very beneficial. Many thought that the trees were too long in growing, but this was not so. He knew from experience that the right sort grew very quickly. There was no better weed suppressor'than the pinus insignis; it also grew with marvellous rapidity. There were many spots in fertile Taranaki when., they could he grown very beneficially, and the matured timber was only second to' white pine for butter boxes'and cheese cases. It would also grow an enormous quantity of timber to the acre if planted systematically. A stringy-bark tree which he planted four years ago was now 40ft. high. In places where weeds infested the land it would be advisable for the Government to take over the land.

Mr. Lambio, seconding, said lie could remember trees planted not nmny years ago that were now yielding ii good quantity of timber. It was aiways wise to plant trees.

Mr. Johnstone also supported. Mr. Thomson said pinus insignia was all right for butter boxes. The motion was carried.

STALLIONS BILL*' Mr. A. Hunter proposed'that the Goveminent be asked to reintroduce the Stallions Bill on the same lines as that drawn up by ])r. Keakes, and shelved by the Upper House.—Carried. Mr. Or moved that the Government subsidise hunt clubs, and bo empowered to buy their horses at any time.-Held over. CERTIFICATED ENGINEERS. Mr. C. E. Guinness moved:—"That in view of the fact that it is reported that an endeavor is to bo made by a combination of civil engineers U> induce the Government to enforce the employment of certificated engineers only by local bodies, the Dominion Executive be asked to keep a watch, and in the event ot such an endeavor being made to oppose it."—Carried.

ELECTION OK OFFICERS. Officers for tlio ensuing year were then elected as follows:—President, Mr. ]!. 'Dunn; vice-president, Mr. A. B. Washer; treasurer, Mr. J. Swindlehurst; auditor, Mr. M. A. Voullaire; executive, Messrs It. Lambie, K. Maxwell, ]!. Orr! If. 11. ISuxton. .11. Hodge. U. Capper, H. Norris, .)'. Davidson, F. Mills, 0. Young, J. S. Harrow, (!. K. McOuinucss, A. Hunter: delegate to (he Dominion Confercnce, Mr. E. Maxwell. YOTES OK THANKS. Yofes of thanks were passed to the Jiiglowood Druids for the use of the hull and to the chairman for presiding.