FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12603, 20 September 1906, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

NORTH CANTERBURY EXECUTIVE

The North Canterbury Executive ot the Farmers' Union, met yesterday afternoon. Present: Messrs D. Jones (preeideivt), F. Ryan (vice-president), J. A. Pareaett (treasurer), 0. F. Clothier, H. T. Cooper, R. Evans, W. Hall, T. B. Howeon, G. W. Leadley, W. T. Lill, G. Sheat, W. Witte, W. F. Hitson (_rrovonci«l secretary), and J. W. Patchett (secretary of the Prebbteton branch).

MILK TESTING. The secretary of the Kaiapoi branch wrote stating that his branch had decided to maK© regular tests of farmera' mdlk.

Mr Evans -arid it was well known that many people wore milking unprofitable cows, and it was for their protection that the testing was to be carried out. The branch would report later on the result of the experiment.

THE CANAL SCHEME. Tho secretary of the Darfield branch forwarded for the coiisideration of the executive the following motion that had been adopted at a meeting of tho branch: —''Thut this meeting regretto learn that the Harbour Hoard has indefinitely postponed deciding to obtain expert advice aa to the feasibility of the canal eoheine, and heartily approves of the proposal to obtain such report." Mr Wilfred Hall said that ho had opposed tho scheme, for it would, bo quite impossible to run tho canal without imposing a rate on the country distiricts. At present it was proposed to spend between 1;_0C0 and £3000 in obtaining an expert opinion. Mr Cooper, who had proposed the motion mentioned in the letter, said that his branch desired to have the expert opinion obtained from the English firm of engineers before anything fuxthor was done. There was no doubt that something would have to be done before long in the direction of enlarging the Harbour. Tho Harbour Board had delayed the matter of obtaining the expert advjco until the opinion cf the country districts had been taken. Mr Bail said that tlie Harbour engineer considered that the present harbour with some rearrangement would bo sufficient for at least twenty years to come. Mir Leadley considered that tho report should bo obtained, for it would be valuable sooner or later. The matter did not affect South Canterbury so much, for the Aehburton produce was, on account of the heavy port charges, being sent to Timnru. That diversion of trade from Lyttelton to Tinmru would have a prejudicial effect on Christchnroh. Ho did not think that any rating would be required, but in any case the benefit to bo derived _rom making Christ church a seaport would more than compensate for any rate that might be imposed. He hoped that the proposal would) be followed up and would be adopted. Ho eeoo_jded the motion.

Mr Pannett considered that it would be good policy to obtain tho report. Even if the report discouraged the canal scheme, the question of improving Lyttelton Harbour could then be taken up. He believed that any rate that might bo struck would bo balanced by other compensations. Mr Sheat thought that the Government would reduce tho port charge if the farmers were to approve of the canal scheme. Those who opposed the canal wore interested in otlior directions. If the scheme was practicable it should bo carried out.

Mr Jones said that one of the chief objections against the obtaining of the report was that tho country people would object, and he was glad to sco that the farmers represented by the meeting were not objecting. It seemed to him that the Lyttelton tunnel charge was used as a protection tariff, and it required looking into fully. Thcru were more iniquities in connection with tho tunnel charge than many thought. Ho did not think that a rate would bo required if tho canal schemo were adopted, for the revenue from tho reclaimed land would be considerable. He favoured tho procuring of the report. Mr Howsou said that tho £3000 proposed to* bo spent on the report was only a drop in the bucket, when the cost of tho scheme was considered.

After further discussion, the motion was carried; ;ind it was resolved to send copies to tho chairman and country members of the Harbour Board.

On tho motion of Mr Cooper, the meeting complimented Mr Wilfred Hall on having accepted a Beat on the Chambar of Commerce Executive, m thereby tlie farming interest would not bo lost eight of.

THE AUCTIONEERS ACT. The Waikari branch forwarded a remit to the effect that tho Government should bo asked to amend the Auc tionoers Act, so that a fair proportion of tho fees derived from auctioneer-' licenses 'should bo paid, over to tho lcoal bodies, in whoso districts stock and other sales were held, for nearly all the damage done to roads by stock was duo to tho sheep and cattle being driven to and from the markets.

After some discussion, tho matter was directed to stand over till next meeting.

FARIM3ERS' INSURANCE. Tho Prebibleton branch wrote forwarding a 'letter from the representative of the Otago Farmers' Mutual Insurance Association, in which that gentleman had offered to address tho branch if his expenses were paid.

It was resolved, after discussion, to iuk tho representative whether he could ad drees a series of meotrnss, and if so. a'i. what cost.

THE COLONIAL CONFERENCE. Mr Leadley, who gave a sketch of "what had transpired at the recent Colonial Conference, said that tho outitamling feature of the Conference was the amount of recognition accorded, to tho Union thy other ibodies, for the Conference had been waited on by deputations from the Millers' Association and the Employer-' Federation. Tho remits from tlie North Canterbury Executive were all adopted. On the land question llio Conforenco reaffirmed its desire for the freehold tenure, and he was glad to say that the Union as a whole remained unshaken in its adherence to the freehold tenure as tho goal to which it aspired. He was satisfied that tho results of the committee's work on the reciprocal treaty, so far as tho importation of flour was concerned, would bo of advantage to the wheat-growing districts. The Union still manifested consideraiblo signs of activity throughout the oouavtry, and its influence was extend Ln_.

The Chairman said that the Conference -was the best of the three he had attended. He found that the Union possessed greater influence than it did before, and was able to get straight out Brewers from the Government and the Government Departments on the different _uest_ona that arose.