NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10045, 16 May 1910, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

MASTERTON BRANCH. ANNUAL MEETING. The Annual mealing of the Mastenon branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held on Saturday. There were present Messrs W. J. .Welch, (chairman) J. C. Cooper, J. Morris, G. R. Sykes.D. McGregor, jnr, W. Perry, J. C. McKiilop, G. A. Bruce, W. L. Falconer, J. Bourke. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report was read, and stated that no business of importance had necessitated the calling together of the Committee during the past year. As a non-political body the Union had not found it necessary to protest against any measures which might be injurious to its members. The Land Bill was, of courvse, still with them, but they had the satisfaction of knowing that a greater number of candidates pledged to the support of the Union platform were returned at the last election, and accordingly they looked forward t« amendments in such statutes as they were interested. In regard to the outlook of Farmers' produce a good deal had been done. The Farmers' Distributing Company, Limited, was doing good work in securing the best markets far all kintte of produce and it was confidently anticipated that the proposal emanating from the Martinborough branch and resulting in the establishing of a freezing works in the district would improve the prices of stock generally. The shearers' dispute was the only important matter before the Provincial Council at the present time. The question perforce brought the Union down to the status of employer, and it might be op3i) to doubt if it should be debated by the Union as a body. Another subject of in'.erast wa3 the Mutual Insurance, The Association had made considerable headway and the Board had now reduced the rates to 8s 6d and 10s 6d, while there was every prospect of a further reduction. The strength of the Union had probably had the effect of preventing any encroachment on the farmer's interests, and if this was the case their freedom from business of the kind was a matter for congratulation.

SHEARERS' WAGES. A lettei was received from the New Zealand Federated Shearers' Union of Workers asking that a conference be held at an early date to discuss the conditions and rates of pay in connection with the proposed new award. On the motion of Mr W. Perry it was resolved that owing to the letcer not coming before them sooner, and to~the fact that the Conciliation Commissioner was sitting in Masterton shortly,the branch could not mova in the matter.

REPORT \ND BALANCE SHEET

ADOPTED,

In moving the adoption of ths report and balance sheet, which showed a credit balance of £5 16s, the chairman stated it was pleasing to see the branch in-so satisfactory a position. Mr McGregor, in seconding the motion, referred to the fact that the interests of the various branches were certainly well looked efter. At the same time he thought more interest should be taken in the Union. Mr McKillop brought up the matter of increasing the membership. The members could be strengthened if each member undertook to enrol two or three new members. Mr Sykes said the chief difficulty was the payment of the subscriptions. The report was adopted. Mr Falconer was appointed delegate to the Provincial Conference. The annual subscription was fixed at 103, the same as last year. Mr Welch declined re-election in the position of chairman. Mr McKillop said there was not much use calling a meeting during the year if there was no businessjjto do. The Executive was doing good work and the branch was doing its share. Mr Cooper suggested that a small Executive committee be appointed to carry on any necessary business. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. It was resolved that Mr J. C. McKillop be appointed president of the branch for the ensuing year, and Mr Morris vice-president. The following committees werea ppointed:—Te Ore Ore: Messrs G. Shaw and A. J.

Percy; Taratahi: Mr W. Perry; Manaia: D. McGregor junr.: Fernridge: Messrs W. L. Falconer and B. R. Rayner; Kopuaranga: Messrs D. MeKenzia and U. A. Bruce; Opaki, Messrs D. W. Foreman and W. Donovan; Wainuioru., Mr I{. F. K. Beetham. Mr W. M. Cole was ap pointed auditor, and Mr J. Milne, secretary.

REGI3TKATION OF WOOLBRANDS.

O.i the motion of Mr D. McGregor it was resolved that a remit be sent tc the conference in regard to the registration of wool-brands.

FAKING THE WOOL SALES. Mr G. K. Sykea stated that in conversation a few with an e £ pert in the wool business ha had gleaned somo interesting informa tion. The expert stated that a speculator or dealer bought up a lot of wool, good, bad and indifferent. He calssified these lots into 40's, and put a five of the good fleeces in the bottowm of the bale and a fasv in the top. while the inferior fleeces were placed in the centre. It was one of the rules in the London market that the buyers must open only the end of the bales. The evil lay in the fact that this wool would sometimes be branded with some well-known brand. The obvious result wa3 a bad report, which naturally hit the owner of the brand.

Mr Cooper agreed with the remarks of the previous speaker.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Mr R. D. McKenzie was appointed dclcgsta to the Committer.

THE LATE KING EDWARD,

At the conclusion of the businflss the chairman moved: "That this branch of the New Zsaland Farmers' Union desires to place on record its sense of great loss sustained by the British Empire in the death of His Majesty King Edward VII." The motion was carried, the members standing.