FARMERS UNION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 287, 15 September 1933, Page 6

FARMERS UNION

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. - ELECTION OF THE WHEAT BOARD SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD.

The Mid-Canterbury Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union met this afternoon, the president (Mr A. P. Bruce) occupying the chair. In connection with the executive's request for a grade for Southdown lambs, the North Canterbury Sheepowners' Co-operative Freezing Export and Agency Co., Ltd., advised that it had already introduced a separate grade for Down lambs at its works for those -clients who wished to consign on their own account.

It was stated that this referred to all Downs and not only Messrs G. H. B. Lill and W. R. Hammond were appointed to meet a representative of one of the companies. The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon C. Ip. Macmillan) advised that the matter of the executive's resolution in connection with the importations of stock had been noted and would receive due consideration. Mr G. A. Franks moved that the executive write to the Dominion Executive on this matter of cutting down the embargo on imported stock. He would like to know what had altered the minds of the authorities on the question of lifting the embargo. There was some talk of removing the embargo altogether. This was in opposition to the views of most of the farmers, and he thought a strong protest should be lodged with the Dominion Executive.

Seconding the motion, Mr Hammond said it would Undoubtedly be a disastrous step if the embargo was removed. It was the express wish of most pastoralists that the embargo remain and lie thought the agitation had come from people who had nothing to lose.

The motion was carried. The Dominion Executive advised that Mr T. Baxter, of the National Farmers' Union, was visiting New Zealand in the near future to speak on the position of farmers in England and to discuss the matter of amicably arranging a basis of restriction of New Zealand exports of butter and perhaps cheese. He would visit the principal dairying districts in each island. The Seafield branch of the Union forwarded the following remit:— "That the manner and actions of the Transport Board as affecting country carriers as well as farmers be discussed." Mr H. Driscoll, who moved the remit, said the position was most unfair to the carriers and affected the farmers also. Instead of being granted a license to carry anywhere in the country, many carriers were restricted to one little corner of the district. Some again bad a roving license and were granted permission to carry in any part of the country. Far those who were restricted to one area, there was a possibility of obtaining a temporary license for one job outside their district at a rate of about 2s 6d but the postmaster could refuse this, if he considered the district in question was amply served already.

The chairman seconded the remit and said they were not objecting to the Board blocking carriers from opposing the railways, but they did not see why certain carriers should take the cream of the business in all districts while the restricted ones had to do their best in their own small areas. He did not consider the transport authorities could say what carrier could not carry a farmer s goods. A deputation of two carriers waited on the meeting and confirmed the facts already outlined. Mr H'ayhurst suggested that all carriers should be allowed to operate throughout the County or all be confined to certain 1 districts. The authorities were exceeding their powers for protecting the railways, he said. He then answered several questions in connection with the matter.

Members expressed the opinion that as a result of the restrictions there would be an increase in the cartage rates and the whole position was most unfair.

The chairman suggested that a deputation should wait upon the Transport Board in connection with the matter. These carriers had the right of appeal and these appeals could be supported by their customers in the various districts.

Mr Macale said it was a slur on British justice and was stifling private enterprise. It was decided to appoint Messrs Bruce, Hammond and Macale to handle the matter and to write to the Dominion Executive protesting against the authority's actions. A circular was received from the Wheat Marketing Agency Co., Ltd., advising the allocation of districts for the appointment of an electoral committee of wheat-growers to elect four growers' directors to the board of the Wheat Marketing Agency and also to be responsible for carrying out the wishes of the growers in connection with the proposed new wheat-growers' organisation. The chairman said they wanted the best men to represent them and thought a special meeting should be called for the purpose of nominating representatives. It would be well, he thought, to spread the representatives over the various wheat districts in the County. There were to be 13 wheatgrowers elected to the Electoral Committee from Mid-Canterbury, between the Rakaia and the Rangitata Rivers. Mr C. C. Winn moved that a meeting of delegates of all organised farming bodies in Mid-Canterbury to select nominees to the Wheat-growers' Electoral Committee be held next Friday. The motion was carried after ' an amendment had been defeated.