FARMERS' UNION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3173, 26 April 1909, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

ANNUAL MEETING OF MASTJERTON BRANiSff. | The annual meeting of the Maaterton branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held in the A\» and P. Rooms on Saturday afternoon. Mr W. J. Welch occupied the chair, and about fifteen members were present. The balance sheet showed, the amount carried forward from last year to be JS9 3s 2d, receipts £26 m expenditure £29 Is 2d, leaving a credit balance at date of £6 2s. On the motion of the seconded by Mr McGregor, the bdl« ance sheet was adopted. In apologising"for the absence of an annual report, which was due to the non-progress of the branch, the chairman expressed disappointment at the lack of interest taken in the Union by the farmers in the district The Provincial Executive, which meft quarterly in different places, had. however, accomplished good work. in endorsing the remarks of i.he chairman, Mr McGregor said tr.e farmers did not realise the benefits of the institution, and he instanced the Insurance scheme, and the watch* ing of legislation. The lack of enthusiasm on the part of farmers wi & most disappointing, and the various methods to arouse interest had apparently failed. The Wellington Provincial Executive wrote, asking for the remittance of provincial levies of 6s pet member for the year just ended. Messrs McGregor and McKenzie reported as to the result of the Conferences held at Woodville and Palm* erston Worth in connection with "''' tlei proposed co-operative freezing works,) Mr McGregor said thare was a keen interest in the scheme, and farmers appeared to be anxious for son e definite steps to be taken in Ue matter. Mr McKenzie said the Woodville meeting had decided in favour , of the scheme. The prospectus was being drawn up, and would shortly be put before the provisional direct tors.

The members' subscription for the coming year was fixed at 10s. The election of officers resulted in last year's officers being re-elected, with the exception that Mr E. W» Payton was replaced by Mr W. H. Donovan, as one of the representatives of the Opaki district. Mr W. J. Welch was re-elected chairman,; and in making some remarks appealed for keener interest in the institution 1 .. The delegates to the Provincial Conference were asked to frame a remit regarding the unfairness of recent Government valuations of farm lands. It was also decided that members submit suggestions to the delegates that might prove useful in forming subjects lor remits according to the delegates' own discretion.