FARMERS CONFER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 60, 20 December 1940, Page 6

FARMERS CONFER

QUESTION OF SEAMING TWINE

REQUEST TO THE GOVERNMENT.

SEVERAL IMPORTANT SUBJECTS

The Mid-Canterbury Provincial Exec-, utivo of the Farmers’ Union mot this afternoon, the president (Mr T. "V. Wilkinson) presiding over a small attendance. The Dominion Executive wrote that the regulations regarding seaming twine applied only to those who sold twine. The farmer could do what he liked with his own property. The following motion was carried after a discussion in committee: —“That the Minister of Supply be approached with a view to lifting the regulations regarding linen flax .products on the following grounds: (1) That adequate supplies of hempen twine for at least three years is held in New Zealand; (2) that under-grade linen fibre grown in New Zealand this year is suitable and can be manufactured into hempen twine; (3) that the position be reviewed prior to next year; (4) that sisal twine is impossible for use in sewing sacks of grain.” The secretary to the Department of Industries and Commerce wrote regarding the Union’s support of the application of a Dunedin firm regarding the establishment of a lime works at Staveley. The proposal had been fully reported on and the District Officer at Christchurch had been advised that there had been no change in the procedure which had been operating for some years in connection with the establishment of operating lime companies. Before the rail concession was granted the Department of Agriculture must be satisfied with the price and the quality of the lime to be distribued. The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. IV. Lee Martin) wrote t that the granting of a quarrying licence on a' Government leasehold was one for decision by the (Minister of Lands. Training in Gamps. The Hon. D. Wilson, for the Minister of National Service, wrote that the Government had already given very careful ’ consideration to the question of the time fixed for training of Territorial units. The training dates were fixed after consultation with the president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, who had been asked to explain the position fully to the executive. On the question as to whether it would be in the best interests of war production if a camp were established in June for men who could not be spared earlier, it was stated that the Government was considering very carefully the establishment of a winter camp, but it was the firm intention to build the Territorial forces to war strength without delay, and to this end the quotas fixed for the various districts allowed a generous margin for appeals. It waS left for the Man-Power Committees to distinguish between those who could be spared without disruption of industry and those who were at present indispensable. A winter camp, therefore, depended on the necessity for training further men and the facilities for such training. The ManPower Committees were judicial bodies and the members were not representative of any section of the community. They were appointed after consultation with the Farmers’ Union, Municipal and County Associations, and employers’ aqd employees’ organisations. The arrangement was the most equitable possible under the circumstances. It was not thought that an increase in the personnel of the Committees was warranted and to add a representative of the farming community would be a precedent for representations from other sections which ; would no doubt feel that they had equal rights. Special recommendations had been issued to the Committees in respect of important men in the farming industry, and it was felt that all appeals would receive the fullest consideration.

'Mr Campion presented a report on the deliberations of the last meeting of the Dominion Executive, which had discussed the setting up of an economic secretariat to safeguard the interests of the industry. It was agreed to ask the Grain Merchants’ Association to supply information in regard to the differences in allowances made for used 46-inch and 48inch sacks, the figure being said to he larger for the smaller sack than for the 48-incli sack. Help for Britain. “I have felt that this country is not doing all that- it might to help England in the repair of its air raid damage,” said the president. “It is a duty to help. The damage will have to be paid lor. One way is to contribute to a fund and the other way is to reduce the cost of our produce. In the latter case the matter is bad enough, now, and it would be better to give a grant after the war. Such an offer would have a tremendous effect on the people of Britain. Sooner or later such an opportunity will he given to the people through the Canterbury Group.” It was pointed out that the idea was that the whole country should take part in the offer and not that the farmers should do it by cutting the price of produce. It was agreed that any move in the direction indicated should he given the executive’s full support.