N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 October 1918, Page 6

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

TARANAKI PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held at Hawera oil Friday. Present: Messrs R. Dunn (president), E. Maxwell, 11. H. Buxton, B. Orr. A. Washer. Owen, Cleaver, B. Dawes, Long, D. L. A. Astbury, J. Swindlehurst, and G. H. Buckendge (secretary). The president feelingly referred to the death of Lieut. Wilkinson, son of Mr C.' A. Wilkinson, M.P., and moved that a letter of sympathy be forwarded to Mr. Wilkinson in his bereavement. The motion was carried in silence, the members standing. Replies were received from branches in regard to the question whether dairy companies s'liould pay interest on paidup share capital. Te Roti wrote "that dairy companies should conduct their own business." The secretary of the branch stated that dairy suppliers had 'been invited to attend a meeting to discuss Wi-e question, when the following resolution was carried: "That this meeting of shareholders is in favor of co-operative companies paying interest on fully paid up share capital."

Tlie Awatuua branch forwarded the following resolution: "That the ques- ' tion of interest on paid up capital in | co-operative dairy companies be left to the individual companies concerned, but that interest should be paid on all capital invested." Mr Buxton said that the Anroa branch had passed a resolution in favor of the proposal. The Rivorlea branch wrote: "This 5 branch considers this matter to be outside the jurisdiction of the Union, but | that in our opinion the payment of in- ! terest on paid up capital in dairy companies is a fair and reasonable proposition. and also tlie payment of interest on paid up capital in farmers' fertilisers' companies." ! The president said it would appear i that some of the branches (/nought the | executive had. overstepped tlie mark, but lie would like to point out that ' the executive was only trying to educate public opinion in regard to the ! matter. The executive had no desire I whatever to dictate to dairy companies, and wished this to be made perfectly clear. He was quite sure that some good would result from tflie matter be- | injj brought forward. | Mr Long said that the Mnnaia ' branch was in favor of the proposition. I but while this was so some of the liiem- | I bers considered that the executive was j j trying to dictate to dairy companies. I Personally iie knew this was so, and lie was glad that tlie president 'had I made this clear. He was strongly in favor of the proposition. Mr. Dawes said the question had not yet been debated by his branch. He was, however, against the proposition. The president remarked that there I was no resolution before the meeting, ! and to put t'iie discussion in order lie moved: That the executive is in favor of the dairy companies paying interest on paid up capital." Mr Owen seconded. Mr Washer considered the question was outside the jurisdiction of the executive. The secretary pointed out that several more replies were to come to hand from branches. There was no doubt that there was a diversity of opinion in regard to the matter. The executive, as the president had said, was not dictating to the dairy companies, but had only brought the matter up in order that a uniformity of opinion might be arrived at on the question. The motion was withdrawn, and it was decided to defer further consideration until all the replies from the | branehes were received.—Star.