FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2629, 11 October 1909, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION.

PROPOSED RABBIT BOARD FOR POVERTY BAY.

The question of forming a board to deal with the rabbit pest constituted the principal business at a meeting or the Gisborne branch of the Farmers Union on Saturday. The meeting was well attended, and Mr AA . D. Lysnar presided. The Chairman said that there were petitions in hand signed by 243 stock owners and 92 had signed petitions that had not yet been sent in. They were still 12 signatures short, 347 bemg required, but ho believed that they would be made up during the day.. More than a majority had been obtained in Opotiki, and some in. AVairoa. There were a lew also in AVhakatane, and the total number of signatures in the districts mentioned was 694. They should do what they could to get in the signatures to enable the petition to go forward as soon as possible. It was desirable, however, to have more than the bare number necessary. In reply to questions by members Mr Kirk, in whose hands the petition n as, explained that it would have to be sent down to the Parliamentary member for the district. Air Lane urged that they should go si might to the Government in the matter, and read the following motion he bad intended to move at the Land Board:—“That as the lands of this State north of the Alohaka River are threatened with an invasion of rabbits, and as prevention is the cheapest cure, and this pest is likely to result in serious material and moral damage, the Government be requested by this Board to decide on the immediate erection of a rabbit proof fence before proceeding with discussion of naval taxation.” The State he said would cause diseased animals to be destroyed, and infected orchards to be dealt with, and they ought to put up a fence to keep the rabbits out of the place. Rabbits had been known to travel 1000 miles, were thief: on one side of such fences and not on the other. Air Lysnar replied that they would cot a subsidy from the Government, who had met them well in the matter.

INSURANCE ON AIEAT

AY r ith regard to insurance on meat tlie Chairman said that the tendency was to increase rates. Last year the companies had increased the rate to 42s 6d from 37s 6d without any corresponding advantages, and this year they had put the general policy up to 55s 3d and had deducted bone taint, improper dressing and cooling, making it little better than a total loss policy, which they would get for 7s 3d. Last year 800,000 carcases were exported, representing £600,000 on a total loss basis* which would be a little over £2OOO in premiums. He suggested that a committee should be formed to approach the local banks to accept a total loss policy at 7s 3d instead of the general policyIn reply to Air Field the chairman added that they could not now get protection against bone taint. He added that it would he fairer to act independent of the local merchants in the matter, for the returns of the latter would he curtailed by practically £ISOO if they got onto a total loss policy. Experience showed that while- they had shipments damaged in the past little had come to them for it. He had himself paid £2BO two years ago and had recovered £4B on damaged meat, the insurance companies benefiting by £232. Captain Tombleson said that the question was whether it was worth while taking out a total loss policy. Air Bruce favored Mr Lysnar’s suggestion, .and Air Lane spoke in favor of straightout farmers’ co-operation. On the motion of Mr Lysnar, seconded by Mr Field, a committee to approach the banks was appointed as follows : Messrs Bruce, Hutchinson, Clark, C. Gray, Field, and Lysnar.