THE FARMING YEAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 196, 1 June 1934, Page 3

THE FARMING YEAR

ASHBURTON COUNTY REVIEW.

ACTIVITIES OF FARMERS’ UNION

MUCH GOOD WORK PERFORMED.

MR A. P. BRUCE’S ADDRESS. A comprehensive review of the activities of the past year and the condition of the primary industry was given at the annual conference of the Mid-Canterbury Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union to-day, by the president (Mr A. P. Bruce). “In presenting the annual report and balance-sheet I would like to refer to the passing, during the year, of one of our past - presidents, Mr G. AV. Leadiey,” said Mr Bruce. Mr Leadiey was a life member of the Union, one of the early Dominion presidents and a past president of Midand North Canterbury.

“He, on many occasions, stressed the need for unity among farmers, and I would like to record on the minutes of this conference the capable and efficient manner in which he handled all matters pertaining to the welfare of the Union.

“It may be some years before farming returns to its previous level and it is therefore more necessary than ever that the Union have the co-opera-tion of other farming bodies and the loyalty and help of each individual farmer.

“Our Union, in common with other organisations during the past four years, has found difficulty in keeping its finances intact. Nevertheless, we have gained ground and our membership is on a sound basis. Eyery farmer should feel it his duty to share in the running of a - Union formed for the sole purpose of safeguarding his and every other farmer’s interests. I make an appeal to those farmers who are not members to join up. “It is essential that farmers speak with one voice arid no Government dare turn a deaf ear to their requests if they are jair and reasonable. “Owing to the fact that last autumn Mid-Canterbury suffered a severe drought, many farmers were unable to carry their usual quantity of stock through the winter and were therefore caught under-stocked when the sudden rise came in the spring and were unable to partake in the full profits of their labour for the past year. “At the present time owing to the abundance of rain there is more rough feed in the paddocks than usual at this time of the year and stock generally are in good condition to face the winter. Thanks to the rigid inspection of all sheep that pass through staleyards in Mid-Canterbury, stock is more free from parasites than usual. For this supervision we have especially to thank the Stock Inspector (Mr J. W. Smith).

Marketing of Wool- “ Never has it lieen more important that farmers take special precautions to see that their wool is marketed to the best advantage.' “There are many aspects to the marketing of wool, classing and skirting being the most important. The buyer values on the lowest count in each bale and with the great difference in price between the classes of wool, growers with small quantities would benefit by using the expert services of brokers for reclassing and binning. The additional cost will more than repay the grower. “The wool is offered for sale by the growers of New Zealand thus: liftjone per cent, skirted and classed by grower, 12.75 per cent, skirted by grower and classed by brokei, 2.17 per cent, skirted and classed by broker (sold under grower’s own brand), IS per cent, binned, 2.45 per cent, nnskirted and classed by broker, 12.63 per cent, neither skirted nor classed. The Dairy Industry. “Tho dairying industry reached such a low. ebb that a deputation from the Dominion Executive, comprising all classes of farmers, waited upon the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture, the outcome being that a conference of thoso interested was called in Wellington and a Commission was appointed. It is hoped that not only will the dairy farmer benefit hut also New Zealand as a whole. “At a time like this when the home market is over-supplied, the export of anything but first quality butter shoiud be prohibited and should quotas he imposed upon any New Zealand produce ‘quality’ should be our motto. If second or third quality is required, let others supply it. The Purchase of Wheat. “I do not speak with the intention of criticising the Wheat Purchase Board, but, as such an unusual position lias arisen regarding this year s crop, namely, that Mid and South Canterbury farmers still hold a large proportion of this season’s wheat 1 would suggest that it would be better for the Board to meet the situation and clarify the position by calling a conference of growers to discuss the following question: ‘That the Wheat Purchase Board should handle all wheat, instead of only 6llb milling oi over as at present.’ “Should this object be attained the Board would then be acting for all millers and all growers instead of as at present all millers and a section of the growers. Though this wheat which farmers still hold does not conform to the f.a.q. standard 1 it is estimated that it is at least equal to good second quality milling. “Much has been written and spoken on the embargo on stock from Gieat Britain. The risk of foot and mouth disease is very small, hut should an outbreak occur the cost to New Zealand would bo greater than any slump this country has eyer experienced. It would not only ruin the farmer, but

also stagnate the towns and cities. “I say close the back door to stock entering, leave no loop-hole, and keep our stock free from the dreaded disease so that our produce and stud stock may secure free admittance to any country in the world. A vote will be taken at the Dominion Conference in July and it is for you to instruct your 'delegates how to vote. “The Central Reserve Bank will come into operation in August of this year. Its primary duty will be to exercise control over monetary circulation and credit in New Zealand in order to promote and maintain the economic welfare of the Dominion. Interest; rates appear to be too high, and as the Ashburton Power Board loan was taken up so readily during the last few days at 3 7-8 per cent., it proves that there is ample money available for sound investments at low rates of interest.

“The share issue of the bank was largely subscribed by farmers throughout the Dominion and indeed it should be a blessing to them in the stabilisation of credit.

The Transport Problem. “We farmers realise how the operation of the Transport Act affects us in regard to the haulage of produce to the railway. The following figures will show the taxation on the average 5 to 6 ton lorry, a year: Post Office fee £2, Post Office insurance £1 10s, plates 2s 6d, highway fee yearly direct payment £sl, new area license fee to operate £3; total '£s7 12s 6d. Approximate cost of appearing before the central body and local area licensing board to obtain license per area £l2 12s, petrol tax seven miles to the gallon, say lOd t a gallon, l)d a mile, machine running 20,000 miles a year £125; grand total £195 4s 6d. “Is it not time something was done to bring about a reduction ill this taxation? This is one of the. many costs the farmer pays before his produce reaches, the consumer.

“Young Farmers’ Clubs.—A federation of young farmers’ clubs has been established in Otago and is now extending to Canterbury and I would urge all branches in Mid-Canterbury to extend every assistance to the young farmers’ club movement, which will be the means of these young men eventually becoming members oi your separate branches. “Farmers between the ages of 15 and 25 years are invited to become members and a syllabus is drawn up fox* each club. When a club is foimed they receive a certain number - of lectures from the Agricultural Department and a systematic study is made of particular subjects during the year. [ ask you, how could these young men spend a more profitable evening ? Leadership -among young farmers is urgently needed to-day. Young men aie required who iwill take their responsibility of helping this country hack to prosperity. “The Women’s Division continues to do good work in the country districts. [ congratulate them upon the very good work they are doing and also thank them for their friendly co-opera-tion during the past year. “The Union has been fortunate m being able to obtain the services oi Mr John Brown as organiser for MidCanterbury. This is a difficult area to work, and this executive will not reap the benefit of our organiser’s work until next financial year. “On behalf of this executive, I wish to extend sympathy to those farmers who suffered so severely in the recent hailstorm. The impression has gone abroad that the farmers affected are asking for direct monetary assistance from the Government, hut that is not so; all they ask is for temporary'financial assistance at a reasonably low rate of interest, which they are unable to get elsewhere.” The president closed his address with a comprehensive vote of thanks.