FARMERS UNION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 138, 23 March 1935, Page 3

FARMERS UNION

MID-CANTERBURY EXECUTIVE. SPARK ARRESTERS ON TRACTORS. The meeting of the Mid-Canterbury Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was concluded after the “Guardian” went to press yesterday afternoon. The president (Mr Raymond Oakley) presided.

A letter from the Dominion Executive asked that all requests from branches and executives to Ministers of the Crown should go through the Dominion Executive so that the Union’s policy could be conformed with.

Mr F. G. Evans said the Dominion president was placeijl in an awkward position in' the Houfee of Representatives when resolutions at variance with one another and the Union s policy were received.

Mr J. Carr pointed out that if a resolution from a branch had to go through the provincial executive and the Dominion Executive it would tafie about three months and very often the subject concerned was then concluded. What was required was an expeditious method of placing matters before the Government. It was decided that the sub-commit-tee set up at the meeting should consider this question. At Mr EL C. B. Withell’s request, it was decided; to forward to the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board a copy of the executive’s previous resolution on the subject of the right of farmers to lift the skins of their sheep and lambs killed at freezing works, and to send to the Ealing branch the replies received by the executive. A remit from the Ashburton branch suggested that manufacturers of ti actors should be urged to have the exhausts of their machines turned upwards as a safeguard against grass fires. It was pointed out that several firms had efficient spark arrestors on the market.

Mr Withell said some of the tractors responsible for fires had tlieir exhaust pipes pointing upwards. It was decided to advise tractor importers of the discussion that had taken place and ask them to suggest that manufacturers take steps to remedy the trouble. Young Farmers’ Clubs. Mr S. I). Blomfield (organiser of young farmers’ clubs) addressed the meeting on the objects of the movement. The aim was to give young men an extensive farming knowledge to fit them for their future work and to train them in leadership. It was hoped to have the support of the Union. Six clubs organised in the lirst year had grown to 40 in the |South Island during the past two years. The age limit was from 14 to 25 years. Club life consisted mostly of lectures and demonstrations both by representatives of the Department of Agriculture and prominent farmers. Field days and debates were also included in the piog ram me, but political or religious topics were excluded from discussions, as it was considered that these might cause a rift in the movement. He recommended the calling, of meetings in two main centres in Mid-Canterbui y with a view to forming clubs there. Arrangements were made for . the calling of meetings at Methven, W akanui and Mayfield early in April and Mr Blomfield was heartily thanked for Ins address.