FARMERS CONFER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 209, 16 June 1933, Page 6

FARMERS CONFER

MID-CANTERBURY EXECUTIVE.

IMPORTATIONS OF STOCK. PROHIBITION STILL ESSENTIAL. The Mid-Canterbury Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union met this afternoon, the president (Mr A. P. Bruce) presiding over- a small attendance. Writing for the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. E. A. Ransom acknowledged the Executive’s application for free carriage, by rail of roots for Feeding stock, and stated that Cabinet had made a sum of £SOO available for the purpose of meeting half the’ freight charges on roots railed into the drought-affected districts. Farmers who wished to take advantage of the concession were required to make application to the Inspector of Stock, who, on being satisfied of the bona fides of the case, would issue a permit. On the motion of the president, it was agreed to wire to Air J. Connolly, M.P., thanking him for the interest he had taken in the matter.

The Overseas Shipowners’ Allotment Committee advised that the question of freight on peas to the United Kingdom had been fully considered, but the committee regretted that it could not see its way to make any reduction at present.

It was agreed to write to the Aleat and Dairy Control Boards asking its views on the question of competition between shipping lines, and stressing the Executive’s strong feeling that there should be a reduction in freights. Air H. Brown referred to the heavy charges for bulk current from the Government generating stations, and said that consumers in Ashburton were paying 25 per cent, more for electricity than other parts of the Dominion, and something should be done to equalise matters.

It was agreed to write to the Ashburton Power Board supporting its efforts to bring about a reduction in the charges, aiid it was agreed to write to the Alinister of Public Works on the same, lines. Air W. R. Hammond said that there were repeated recurrences of foot-and-mouth disease in England, yet Lord Bledisloe continually urged New Zealand farmers to import stock from England.

Air J. - Carr said the Governor-Gen-eral’s interest in farming was undoubted and he knew a lot about it that farmers did not know. He had urged farmers to go into the matter. He (the speaker) agreed that importations should not he made. He suggested that they should write to the Dominion Executive pointing out that while the Governor-General’s -words no doubt carried much weight, the farmers of New Zealand still declared they shall not have importations. Mr H. C. B. Withell agreed with this, hut said they should hot he too hard on his Excellency. There was room for importations.

The president said the one aim of the party of English farmers which toured New Zealand was to open up the way for stock importations. Air G. W. Franks said that swine fever was a mere nothing to foot-and-mouth disease. The Executive’s decision of two years ago should be upheld. The disease was carried in straw packing and the regulations regarding fumigation of this straw were very lax. A motion protesting to the'Government against stock importations was carried unanimously.

In response to the request of the North Canterbury Executive it was decided to support its nominee as delegate for election to the Electoral Committee of the New Zealand Aleat Producers’ Board.

Air G. W. Leadley, Elgin, wrote acknowledging the Executive’s letter of sympathy in his illness. He stated that lie was now somewhat better in health.