FARMERS’ UNION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 32, 17 November 1939, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION

PREMIUM FOR LAMB. INCREASE ON NOVEMBER SHIPMENT. OPPOSITION BY LOCAL EXECUTIVE. The Mid-Canterbury Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to-day decided to write to the Dominion Executive opposing the suggestion that a halfpenny be added 'to the price of lamb for the November shipment, with a proviso to be added to ask for information where the extra halfpenny was coming from. Mr T. V. Wilkinson (vice-president) presided in the absence of Mr C. A. Campion. This decision followed the receipt of a circular from the Dominion Executive. The letter stated that in reply to an urgent resolution forwarded to the Minister of Marketing that in order to assist the Government in raising sterling funds and spread (shipments of. lamb, a premium of id per lb bo paid on lamb delivered into works during the month of November, the Minister replied . “The proposal of the Executive ]yill receive my full consideration and will.discuss the whole question immediately with both the Meat Board and freezing company representatives.” The suggestion was opposed on thd grounds that any temporary increase must be at the expense of the balance of shipments and be detrimental to later fattening districts. Advice that the Council had decided not to make , any alteration in the meantime with regard to heavy traffic licence fees on farmers’ trucks, was received from the Ashburton County Council. The decision had been made, stated the Council, after full consideration of the question. On account of the uncertain condition of transport regulations at the present time it was thought better to make no alteration yet. The letter added that diffictilty also existed in regard to the Council’s legal position in the matter, and a copy of a legal opinion from the New Zealand Counties’ Association was enclosed.