FARMERS’ UNION CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 869, 20 April 1903, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION CONFERENCE.

Ui'li n r a nf tho farmers’ strent !' v ,d l " 1 t,IU Club Booms, Lowe m tea w batUr,lil 'V. and the following delewX w.T' : -“r )■ v;f:r (w ata .S 0 V 0 ';?"1^4 iolaga Lay), Hutchinson (Mot uj, LissanW Blaymti i’hnrot o ), C. J. Barker To Ar aij, Birrell, \V. 1). Lysnar (Gisborne), Wind v. '-'I (l’alutiihi), J. M.'.'L ■,,, (T,. Knakaj. ELECTION OE OB BICE I la. the lirst business of the meeting was the election of officers. Ihe retiring President, Mr James Macat lane, in the course of a short address, mged that tanners should not take lip outside subjects which they did not have much knowledge of. lie tnoughi it also advisa,e° ri °t to take up small matters with a view to irritating the Government, hut to

discuss only those questions which would he beneficial to farmers. Ho thanked reptesontatives of the branch for the support accorded him, arid regretted that he had to ask to ho relieved of the office of the president. The membership had increased greatly during the year, and there was no reason why the Union should not progress in the district. On tile motion of Mr flood, Mr A. If. Wallis was oicctcd president of the Execu-J tivo for the forthcoming year. Mr W. A. ELood was ro-eiecled vino-president. Mr 11. M. Bolder was re elected auditor.

'J> following were elected a Provincial B '/■' outivo : —Messrs Lt. X. Lysnar, \V r . b. Somerville, W. K. Chambcfs, J. G. McLean, L. Clayton, .1. Hutchinson, G. .1. Parker, M. Jobiin, Mas. Macfurlauc, W. 8011, Gallagher, Holden, and Wall. Mr W. A. Hood was re-elected delegate to the Colonial Conference. S E CUE T MIY'S 11E VO I IT.

The Provincial Secretary, Mr Lissunt Clayton, then presented the following report, traversing -the work of the Union sinco first started in Poverty Bay : “The Organising Secretary of the Union, Mr A. O. C. Glass, having communicated with me on August 27th. KIOJ, a meeting was hold, and the first branch of Iho Union was formed at Xiuiroto on the Hill'd of tbo ensuing month. “ On October tilth a meeting of fanners and others interested was holt! in Gisborne, at which Mr Oscar lusher, the assistant

organising secretary, was present, when it was determined to actively canvass the

district and form branches of the union in Poverty Bay, Mr Ju. Mucfarliimi being elected chairman, and the thunks of tho

un,‘-ih are duo to .Mr It. 11. Mason for undertaking the duties of secretary and treasurer pro. tern. “In spite of strenuous efforts on the part of Messrs Win, 801 l and -J m. Mac* iurlaue, however, it was found impossible to get a branch started in Gisborne until April sth, 1002. “The first Provincial Conference was hold in Gisborne on January 21st last rear, at which representatives from Gisborne, Motu, Patululi;, To Baraka, Wuimata, To

Arai and Tiuiroto were present, Mr Glass also attending. The representatives then present were elected by the delegates as an executive cimimitLoo for the ensuing year, with power to add to thc-ir number. “Li ouuse<(uoneo of commimicatn ns irorn the executive with the Bepartmei fc' at Agriculture, the Hairy Commissioner an mged that Mr Cuddy, dairy expert, should visit the district and give information on dairying to the various branches,

and it was arranged that the secretary should introduce Mr Cuddy to tho brandies, and wherever there was » desire for a meeting amongst the farmers. In eunsetjiieiico of these instructions from tho executive, on his arrival in April last I escorted Air t. tidily to Putulahi, To Arai,

Gisborne, \Vaercnga*a-lii!;a, Ormond, Te Baraka, Wuimata, and Molu (at tho two last places Air W. .Hutchinson accompanying;, arid at all of these places me; t-

Anys wuru ijuld, null perhaps from this time may bo traced iho movement towards l'o operative dairying in Poverty Buy. “ On April stb Lliu Executive appointed a provisional committee, consisting of Messrs Bell, Baird, Birrell, Woodward, ami L. Clayton, to form a Poverty Bay Fanners’ Union Club, and after many difficulties' laid been overcome the Club was formed, and the Hist general meeting wa jJ.iekl at the end of August, f n June tilth I was instructed by the Executive to go to Tulaga Bay and form a branch there, and it is gratifying to note that the branch, although the last to bo inaugurated, is now amongst the most vigorous, while I regret to report that To Karaite, formerly our strongest branch, and also at To Arai, do nut appear to bo in a very healthy condition. 1 think, bower o', that a branch could bo formed at Maltaraiia, a district which is too far from Or-

mood and Gisborne to bo successfully re

presumed ia those urunehos. ■■ The arrangement of thn Fanners’ Union with the Commercial Union Assurance Cutup .my to accept accident insurance business front members of the Union at half rates was terminated by tho company at tlic beginning of November, as it is alleged that members throughout tho colony were supporting oilier companies who hall offered reduced rates afterwards, and in cotiSLquetteo members of the Union have to pay more than double these rates for accident insttrauco now. The business,

however, does not appear to have been , unprofitable as far as Poverty Bay was concerned, as tho company received through the Union JjU-f lbs 4d in premiums, while .IUO \youid cover all the compensation paid. ' Tito commission on the business dune amounting to XG 17s 'id was paid into the Executive funds. •' On October 22 pi t tendered my resignation to the Executive, and a committee was appointed to arrange for a successor to tho secretaryship, but as tho funds would not permit an adequuto salary the committee, weio unable to advise the .Executive ol a suitable person to tube the office, 1 consented to continue to do tho duties until the conference.

I regret to state that the subscription to Jlr Glass’ testimonial was nut large, only Jit) lbs Od being subscribed. At tho request of tho Colonial President I forwarded to the brunches circulars to be distributed amongst tho members, asking for a teturn of tile probable amount of lire insurance business done by members m Poverty Bay, to enable tho president to conduct negotiations for a reduction of

rates. . . The ro.-u't was disappointing, only a tew returns reaching me, estimating ptop-. r..y to be insured by numbers at .£19,800. These, negotiations oi tBo president fell Ah roue it, bur in tile coining session 'of Parliament the Union will endotvor to get a bid passed to enable mutual lire and accident insurance companies to bo formed, similar to those : uceessfully working m Ctnnwln- _ ~ . ; m ■„

.. Perhaps the Provincial Treasurer Will ' pardon me lot' trespassing partially on what perhaps is in his report, hut as the secretary oi the Gisborne branch recently stated that the Provincial Executive received mb Ms against his brunch’s share of ilti 17s of tho subscriptions, I may bo allowed to remove what perhaps is an -u, Out of tile OS SUO-

erroneous impression. utti oi uiv * =«• seriptions of all members who joined too Union prior to Match 31st, 1902. a shilling hud to he forwarded to the Colonial Executive I'ur the organising fund, besides sixpence out of the other shilling received by the Prot inciui Executive, thus the. Provincial Executive has paid to the Colonial Executive X 9 9s Oil out of that Xl3 Us, retaining for itself only £-1 -is 6d, out of whicu it has granted that branch X2 2s. The surplus of the Executive is derived from strict economy and avoidance of unnecessary advertising, and is also in a lamo measure due to the fact that the secretarial duties have been purely honornrv. that the commissions X 0 17s 2d earned by the secretary and treasurer by accident insurance have been credited to the Union, and that our delegate, Mr llood, n u allied from making any charge for travelling or hotel expenses, which saved ns fully XiO. u in future we can hardly hope lot such willing assistance from individuals, you will sec the necessity for a somewhat fairer contribution from the members as - whole, and the recommendations of the outgoing Executive should merit your 0-,-eful consideration. That the secretary's dudes tiro no sinecure may be shown by the fact that I can trace over 67,0 letters which I htivc written for the L nion, ho sides others of which [ have no recc'd.” Mr Birrcll said that there were one or two things that required contradiction. •r fn * n ok exception to a statement in tho Snort that to Mr Cuddic’s visit could be traced' the movement towards tho eo.

operatives sysWn in Poverty Bay, Cooperation luE been commenced long before, as he mew to his cost. tie thought that crcAt should have been given to some ofihoso who went round the district v.ith )/r Cuddio. llih (Mr JJirrcll’s) name was not mentioned, but he was nut at all surprised at that. As to the item of X'Ui l/d mentioned in tho secretary’s report, tho Gisborne branch hail only received lb 17s ns their share.

Mr Clayton stated that there was reuily no practical movement towards co-opera-tive dairying until the visit paid by Air Cud'lie. ft was true that Air Birrell had accompanied Mr Cuddio and himself to ic Arai, and, as secretary of the Gisborne branch, attended tho meeting of that brunch On the motion of Mr Hood, seconded by Mr Somerville, the report, was adopted. A bU BPJiUS. The Treasurer (Mr 11. X. Lysnar) in presenting the balance-sheet, congratulated tin; Conference on possessing a surplus, which, unlike the Premier’s, was not on paper, but in solid cash. There Was a sum of .£2O 2s Id in hand.

Alt’ Birrell asked for an explanation in rig ird to a statement made, at a recent meeting that, nhhougii there was a surplus, neither the secretary or treasurer could account lor it. lie considered it one of the most rt-markahie statements J that in hud ever seen since he came into the world. (J.slighter.) As business men they ought to know where the surplus cutut: from. He had read in the papers that the secretary had wrestled with the matter for some days. Tne Chairman : Wo arc not responsible for what appears in tho papers. Tho Secretary explained that the surplus was obtained through a number of subscriptions, of which they had no account, being paid into the batik. At the beginning Air Eisiior had issued subscription books, of which no record was taken. Mr Parker : I shall propose tho adoption of cite report, notwithstanding the fact that there is u surplus fur which vve cannot account.

Air H. Lysnar: There is one thing, that it is cash, and not on paper. Tho balance sheet was adopted. M UTU A L El BE IX 3 U NANCE. On behalf of the Gisborne Branch Mr W. U. Lysnar moved a resolution in favor of a Mutual Eire Insurance Association. Tho principle was a good and sound one. —Adopted.

WiJABEAG I'.’, *. “ II is Hie opinion of Iron CtmfcrI'lict: I Inti, the Harbor Board tariff ought to be revised, and limb a committee should ho appointed from the Fanners' 1 Union to liter; 1, Lite Harbor Board, with a view of removing the existing anomalies,” was moved by Mr Birrell, of the Gisborne Branch. The motion provoked a good deal of discussion, and was finally referred to a commit .Ice. Air Birrell read a report which had been prepared by Messrs Harris, Birrell, Lysnar and (Hints, pointing out the great injustice done to local industries. Alessrs

Bj-rreJl and Harris had waited upon a number of local tradespeople in order to obtain their views. Mr E. Hail informed them that before the wharf tariff was ini rod need lie reeci\ed many orders from ihe Coast,now lie received only an emergency order. Tho firm had a contract on the Coast

al Hie. present, and all the material was brought from Auckland. Air D. Barry, when interviewed, stated that lie did not object so much to the export tariff as lie. did to the charge'oil empties. lie had to compete against outside firms who had no interest in tlie place. Alessrs Dalgoty and Co.

informed tile Commi I lee that the tariff badly wanted revising, lu many ports, lilt,ceil sacks of grass-seed went to the ton; in Gisborne only . ten.

The tariff was not in the interests oi the farming community. Mr I). Orr considered tlie lax of 2s (id per lon on potatoes was far too much. Mr Vi'ade, patentee of the Wade skylight, was compelled to part with the palenl rights to outside firms on account of the wharf tariff. Ho paid Ms per ton weight, on the matei'iul, and wliuii lie exported the skylight lie was charged wharfage on ment.A PROTEST. On behalf of the Tolago Bay branch Mr W., Somerville moved that Alessrs

E. I’. Joyce, and J. Toivnley, Urn European members of the Terawiiaili Alaori Council, be asked to resign as a pl'olesl agapist Hie long inactivity of that bully. .Speaking to Hie motion, the mover said that it would lie generally admitted that the administration of Native land in Hi it district bad failed altogether ; it. laid

indeed proved a complete failure. About three years ago, a Native Act had been introduced, and last year it was amended, but nothing had resulted from it. lie did not propose, on account of the technicalities and complicated character of the Act, to go fully into it, nor was he competent to give a full explanation oi if. There were two adminisfrat'ive bodies set up lo deal willi the land. The Native Committee were Lo take over the land and deal with if according to Native customs and usages. The Council was a mixed tribunal, composed of Nat ive and European members. Amongst other duties, they had to revise the work of tho Court —they had also to set aside reserves for various hajius and those who had ownership in the land. Continuing, Mr Somerville said that, these Councils had absolutely done nolhing. The Act had been in operation for a long time, and yet everything was at a standstill, owing to the masterly inactivity of the Council. The matter was a most important one to residents oi the Coast.

Mr Hood seconded the motion. Mr Woodward suggested that the resolution should lie altered by culling out t lie demanded resignation of Messrs Townley and Joyce. They could gel to the same end without taking such a drastic measure. Mr Parker said Unit no misuiT Was passed on the members. if they were ihe two best men in the world it would lie flic same tiling. Mr Woodward I bought that'it might lie taken as a slight.

Mr W. I). I.ysnar said that they could lake the yx Urine step if they received no consideration from headquarters. lie luid never favored the present method of dealing with native land, and never expected it to he successful. Me claimed that the natives should be allowed to dispose of their land without any of the restrictions at present hampering them, so long as their interests were properly protected. The natives had no confidence in the present arrangement. The natives should he gllowed to deal with the land as they liked. Mr Birrell was opposed to any

names being made the subject oi condemnation. The Union could censure the Government for the delay. Mr Mood saiti that it was not. Mr Somerville's intention lo throw censure oil them, hut simply to enter a protest. Mr Somerville said that Mr Town-

ley's position was so assured ilia! lie was above censure. Me (Mr Somerville) disagreed with those who urged that, they should go to the Government. It. was absolutely useless . to <lo so, as tlie Government look no notice. A drastic step was needed. The following motion was adopted: “ ’Hint Messrs Townley and Joyce members of the Terawhaili Maori Council he asked, if they find it impossible to open up our native lands, to resign as a protest against the exerssivc delay. OI’KNINU OK NATIYK LANDS. Mr A. ii. Wallis moved a resolution urging the speedy opening up of the native lands in the district. Me quoted from the return recently published in the Times, and urged that it would be much better business tor the Government to acquire the native lands and set,tie them than to puieha.se interior properties. A great deal of land could now he bought for 7s ltd per acre, hut later on it would cost over a pound. Mr Mood' said that there were about half a. million acres in Ihe wn counties lying absolutely idle. lo bring these hinds into a product it e state would mean a million of money in wages and tend to make the place far more prosperous. Mr liysnar moved as an amendment —“ That in the opinion of this Ccni IXtcucCj its nu result has been ob-

tained by the present native legislation, the law should be so amended u.s to allow Natives who have their shares individualised and defined in areas of about fiio acres of firstclass land and Hfififi acres of secondclass land to deal with their lands as they think fit., provided that tiie Natives have siiilicienl, land left for their simporl., and I tic transaction is ceil ilied and approved by a Judge of the Eialive Laud Court."- tic couiended that, (he Natives were as ittIcJligent as Europeans and jusl as caix'ltil in dealing with their own uii,iiis. They should not in; classed as infant.:, imbeciles, or persons of

weal-: intellect. It had, tie said, been suggested that flic Government shuuiil take the land by force, but lie did not think tbev would do this.

Mr Somerville; They could not, do it under I lie Treaty of Waitangi. Air Wallis : You could b> compensation ; Ihe Government take European lands by force. Air ,Somerville : ii would come in fuel ion wil.li the Treaty of Waitangi. Referring to Mr Lysnar’s amendment Mr .Somerville pointed out tiiat tlie individualisation of Native lands would, necessitate sotting up Land

Gourts again. Air Lysnar said that Mr .Somerville did not know the Native mind amt character. There was too much iribal jealousy for a Native CommiUee. Native hand Commillees should be set up again. Mr Hood suggested that, a committee should be set up to go into the mat ter, and Air Lysnar would have their support. Air Lysnar: It is uifher (lie present stale of things or take by force. We cannot take the latter method and Ihe only tiling is to act on my resolution. Air Hood suggested Alessrs Nolan, Behaulour, and Lysnar be asked for 1 licit' opinion. Mr Lysnar ; Air Nolan agrees with me on the matter. Air Lysnar’s amendment was incorporated with the President’s motion, and carried. The President’s motion was as follows :—“ That Inis Conference ask the Colonial Conference to urge upon the Government the necessity of elTecUug Hie speedy sett,lenient of Native lands in Poverty Eay and on tiie East, Coast.” LIGHTERING,

Mr 11. N. Lysnar, Waimata, moved a resolution from his bin nib on the question of reforming tho lightering at Gisborne, to tiie course of his remarks Mr Lysnar said that the firm thaii did too lightering had a monopoly. They • charged tho Gisborno freezing Company 2d per head for sheep and Jd tor iambs, 2s Gil for beef, 2s fur every baic of wool, and 5s por ton for other produce. They charged £1 to take a horse or bull out or bring it ashore. For tho sumo amount one could sond a horse from Yv’oiiington to Lyttelton. Ho considered tho lightering charges excessive, and urged the conference to consider tho question with a view of getting a reduction. There had been 115,000 sheep killed at tbo Gisborne works this year, and that would go a long way towards starting a co-operative lightering company.

After some discussion tho President' (Mr Wallis), and Messrs \V. I). Lysnar. W. A. Hood, C. J. Parker, and H. N. Lysnar wero elected a committee to go into tho matter. HORSE FAIR, Air Hood urged tho necessity of holding two horse fairs during tho year, one after the October show and one in the month of Aiarch. It would give a stable value to horses and encourage breeding. A resolution to that effect was adopted. LEVY ON BRANCHES.

Mr L. Clayton moved : “ That the delegate shall bring before the Conference the idea of levying on branches a fixed sum for tiie purpose of appointing a secretary to further the work of tho Union and to provido a capital sum to he invested for this work, this to he suppleincutary to any annual subscription. Tho secretary to work generally for all members in such matters us sales ot stock, grain, soot, etc., charging only a small commission to provide further funds for tho Union.” After discussion it was agreed that tho matter should stand over. VETERINARY BURGEON.

The Conference approved of the union, appointing a veterinary surgeon for the district, the matter to stand until funds were available. STOCK SALES.

The suggestion to have separate stock sales for tho disposal of dairy cattle was approved of. It was decided to write to tho auctioneers asking them to provide a supply of water at the saleyards for tho stock anil shepherds’ dogs.

UNION AND POLITICS. Mr Woodward urged the necessity of the Farmers’ Union taking a stronger political position. In the course of an excoilcnt speech he pointed out that in being a political body did not moan that they must be Seddonitcs or llussellites,. but that they should support a man that was in favor of the reforms advocated by tho union.

Mr flood, in seconding tho resolution, spoke against party politics, and urged that the Union should select one or two issues, and fight for them. Ho deprecated candidates for Parliament' being asked too many questions, for tho reason that their hands were tied. When tho Israelites wanted to find out who were for them and who against, they pronounced the ono word, “ shibboleth,” That should be criterion for the Union to distinguish ono man from another. The members could select any one subject. Mr Somerville: It should bo Native lands in this district.

Mr Clayton : Tho President in bis pamphlet is taking tho same standpoint. After further discussion the Conference approved of the Union supporting the man who was sympathetic to the farming interest. COOK MEMORIAL. On tho motion of Mr Somerville, it was decided to strongly recommend the Government to reserve one hundred and fifty acres of the Parauiata block, including Cook’s Cove, Well, and Holo-in-tho-Wall. Several members warmly supported the proposal. CO-OPERATIVE STORES. “ That the timo has arrived that the Farmers’ Union should support co-opera-tive stores for their use and benefit, and ,hat tlie various branches should be asked to send delegates to discuss the matter,” was ably advocated by Mr Birrell of the Gisborne branch. Mr Somerville thought tho Union would do well to abstain from’ tbs movement for the present. Mr Hood said that there was a groat deal to be said in favor of co-operation. It brought tlie people together, and gveatly assisted towards thrift. The motion was carried. POISONED GRAIN. The following motion was adopted— That the local bvauehes procure poisoned grain from the Government, and appoint days lor poisoning.” Messrs McLean and Hood warmly supported the proposal. SUBSCRIPTIONS.

Mr Birrell raised tiic question of the amount of subscription to the different branches. He pointed out that t'ac Gisborne branch could not possibly be run on Is 61, and that was all that remained after tho Colonial and Provincial Executors had received their share. Mr Somerville pointed out that members of labor unions paid 6d per week to iheir union. Surely the farmers could afford to pay us per annum. Mr Woodward favored tho subscriptions being fixed at 10s. It was decided that each brunch should fix its own subscription. SHODDY GOODS.

That this Conference is of opinion that tho increasing adulteration of woollen goods, and the unscrupulous shbstitution of inferior materials in the manufacture of woollen goods, demands in the interests of both the consumer and the producer immediate Legislative action.” Mr Clayton, who introduced this motion, made an excellent speech. He pointed out that most of tho dress materials were made up from stockings and rags picked up in tiic streets of London, and the proportion of wool used was very small. The goods were dyed to hide defects, and very often there was great danger of disease being disseminated. The motion was unanimously auopted. A vote of tlnmks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings.