FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13744, 27 May 1910, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

Tlie provincial conference of the New Zealand Farmers,' Union, North Canterbury District, opened yesterday in the"A. and P. Association's rooms. The President (Mr R. Evans) occupied the chair, and there were present:—Ashburton— Messrs G. W. Lcadiey, \\ . 1. Lill, Thos. Mawson, und Chas. Reid; Cheviot —R. Slo-ss; <"."ust—F. G. Horrell; Darfield—D. Mulholland and W. Svmcs: Ellesmere—T. B. Howson; Greenpark—G. Neill; Halswell—J. Gdmour: Hororata — Wilfrid Hnll: Kirwce—Geo. Bedford; Omiln—R. B. Luscombc; Oxford—J. O'Halloran; Prebbleton—J. W. Patchett; Scargill —T. L. Roberts; Springfield—Jas. Seymour; Snringsto'n—J. W. Kime; Templcton—li. J. Bell; Waikari—O. F. C'-othier; AVest Melton— Henry Paterson. General apologies were received and Mr D. Jones, ex-president, sent a wire wishing the conference every success. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

In his opening address, the President welcomed members to the conference. As far as membership and fin-jiiK-es were concerned, the Union was in a very prosperous condition, more money having come in this year than in any previous year. A strong Union had been established in South Canterbury, and he believed that it was on a permanent footing. He believed that it would have been bettor if the newUnion had joined in with this district, as thero was only the one industrial district. Last year the President reported a plenteous harvest, but this year he had to state that they had had one of the most disappointing harvest years he had ever seen in Canterbury, after the expectations they had entertained. Some people would better have put a match to their grain rather than harvest. In one caw-, the cost had been (id per bushel more than the farmer couid sell his grain for. Tho farmers hud been before the Arbitration Court twice, in connection with the General Labourers' Union and tho Farm Labourers' Union. In reference to the threshing dispute, the farmers had got a fair and reasonable award that they could work under and could not complain of. The farmers might hold a view that no j*.ward was necessary. He was very glad to say that in no caso was it shown that the farmers had treated tho men unfairly. It was shown that wherever tho men wore not making lair money at threshing, the farmers, of their own accord, met them and raised their contract prices. Tho question of tho weight of gram sacks had been settled by the maximum weight being fixed at 2001b. Referring to the frozen meat industry, .Mr Evans said that after last conference the farmers had experienced a disastrous season, but things had now taken a turn better than they could ever have expected. Up to date the Dominiou had exported 1,010,000 carcases of mutton and 2,081,000 carcases of lamb. Tho figures for the previous season wero 1,J62,24a mutton and 2,246 ; ;'.5i lamb. As far as Canterbury was concerned, this provinc. sent / 5,668 more car-ca-.es ot mutton and 232,898 caicases o' lamb up to April 30th of this year than i:i 190 J. The increase in . lambs exported for the whole of New Zealand over the period named was 124,607, while mutton was 82,956 less. Theso figures spoke well for the production of Canterbury, und indications from London wero that all tho lamb that could be sent would bo required. The prospects for mutton did not seem to bo so good as thoso for lamb. However, ho thought that the position was exceedingly encouraging to the farmers of Canterbury. Australia had had some difficulty in getting away their meat, and it would be noticed that they had raised the freight from £d to 3-16 dto get ships. He referred with appreciation to the improved'financial position of the Dtfminion, and said that money could now be got on reasonable security and at a reasonable rate of interest. Tho state of the money market and the rate of interest often meant tho margin between profit or loss to the farmiug community. The public debt of the Dominion, however, wos increasing, and this meant an increased tax on the population. For every million borrowed the farmers had to raise another £70,000 from the land. The Minister of Agriculture had been pointing out what the Government had done for the farmers and the dairy industry, but it was the men who milked the cow and" grew the gram and the meat who j/aid the •money. Mr Evans protested against the- penalising of farmers by the imposition of an excessive railway timber freight, and claimed that they should bo put on equal terms with the men who lived in the cities and ihe ports. There had been a good" deal said as to whether the money borrowed by the Dominion had been wisely spent. Ho found that an average of 6000 cooperatives were employed on the railways of the Dominion, which would mean the expenditure of £600,000 or £700,000 per annum. He contended that the Dominion was not getting fair value for this money. A member of Parliament, who recently came over from tho West Coast, had told him that not one-third of tho work had been done that should have been.done for tho money spent. When asked why he did not expose thus, lie said th**-. tho Government had to be ir-an-sidered, and the people had to suffer. It was time that the farmers raised their voices against the wasteful' expenditure of public- money. The Dominion was in a very critical position just now in regard to future legislation. Sir Joseph Ward had announced that he intended to exempt towu anel suburban land from the graduated land tax. Was that fair? ('-'No!") In contrast to thus, let the Conference look at Mr Lloyd George's Budget, and see that tho taxes on agricultural and pastoral land had not been increased, while those on town and suburban land had been increased. Mr Evans said that a Minister of the Crown had informed him four months ago that if the expenditure of this country was not stopped it was going to be a very serious matter for the rising generation. The Government, howover, had to be considered, and the people had to pay. He could only compare New Zealand at the present time to Rome when Nero fiddled and the people round him danced. (Laughter.) The position was a serious one, and should receive thoughtful consideration.

Air G. Sheat moved a vote of thanks to the President for his aeldress. He referred particularly to tho action of the Arbitration Court in making an award in the threshing dispute. tie had always thought that where fair conditions and no sweating existed, and an award was not necessary, an award would not be made. Apparently 'he had been wrong,,and the Judge had informed him that an award would be made. He regretted that the Act made it compulsory for an award to be made when it was not necessary. AV\Z.I--out an award North Canterbury had paid better wages than were paid in South Canterbury under an award. He rderred warningly to the increase in the public debt, which had to be paid for by increased production on tho part of the farmers. Ho also referred to tlie necessity of lighting the tendency towards land nationalisation, which, if carried out. would be the death knell of the country.

Mr Leadlcy seconded the motion, and expressed the hope that the Conference would have an opportunity to discuss the award. One thing was that the Judge stated that the men would not be required to work under the award in a bad season. The award .should be binding on all parties. Mr Sheat and Mr Clothier explained that the remark, as they understood it, was applied iv an individual, not general, way. The idea conveyed to them

was that any man who was dissatisfied with the award need not follow the occupation. The vote of thanks was carried unanimously. Tlie report and balance-sheet were adopted. THE REMITS. Tho Conscience then proceeded to discuss the various remits forwarded by the district branches. ANNUAL MEETINGS. Dunsandel. - -That the annual meet, ings of all branches of the Lmon be held within tho second week ot April in each year. and en a fixed date it possible.'"' This was moved by Mr Sheat, wh.i said that the .'.lteration would facilitate the btr-iness of the Executive Committee. It was pointed cut that this would involve an alteration of tho Dominion rule-:, which provided that meetings' should be held within the month of April. Mr Sheat then withdrew the remit, and substituted a recommendation to all branches to hold their meetings within the first fortnight- of April, and that wherever possible the -l'nnunl returns be immediately forwarded to the Provincial Secretary. This was unanimously agreed to. CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

Oxford.—"That all occupiers and owners of land infested with California r. thistb in Canterbury shall, under severo penalties, report its presence to a duly appointed Government official having statutory powers to etiioice its eradication nt the expense ot the landowners. In the case of unloosed Crown Lands, that the Waste Lands Board of such district be responsible for reporting the exirtence of thistle and cost of its eradication." This wa.s moved by Mr J. O'llalloran, who said that the pest had not advanced mu-.-h in the Oxford district, und it would be possible to cope with it if tlie v easures advocated were taken. As far as Crown Lauds there were concerned, the Government; was doing its duty Incutting the thistle, but that was not enough. Th** thistle had to be continually cleared. It should eot b*s allowed to become unmanageable in these districts where it bad not already reached that stage. The motion was seconded by Mr Lusconibe, who said that if it were given effect to it, would obviate the necessity of landowners informing on their neighbours. Mr Clothier opposed the motion. He said that it would simply ruin some landowners if they had to clear their land. Some men had been trying to kill the thistle for fifteen years, and they had not succeeded. Mr Leadlcy said that the Government would first have to bo educated to recognise that their liability to clear weeds was the same as that of an ordinary -:itizen. The Government would never listen to the proposal made in the remit, as there was not enough money in the country to do it The subject was discussed at some considerable length. Mr Roberts sai 1 that it was an absolute impossibility to clear the thistle in the south, and the only remedy was cultivation. in districts which were tolerably clear. the thistles could be kept down if the farmers complied with the present law. Mr Sheat said that the lands of leaseholders were contaminating neighbouring farms. The remit, if carried into effec-;, would be the ruination of southern farmers, and would only be providing another rod for the farmer's back. It would take 1000 inspectors to look after Canterbury alone. Mr Fred Horrell strongly urged that tlie laiidowuers should ■•*.. least be required to report, tho presence of thistles to the local body or the Government. Mr Sheat moved an amendment requesting the Government to moro rigorously enforce tho Noxious Weeds Act in Canterbury, and prevent the seeding of thistles on unoccupied Crown lands. It was mentioned during the debate that ovciy part of Canterbury was more or less affected by the Oalifornian thistle. The amendment was lost, and a further amendment was proposed by Mr Horrell requiring owners and occupiers to report the presence of thistles to the local body, in default of such report a heavy penalty be inflicted. This amendment was carried, but on being put as the substantive motion was lost. Tliis left tho question "as you were."

CARRIAGE OF IMPORTED TIMBER AND COAL. Scargill.—"That the Minister for Railways bo again urged to make the carriage of imported timber and coal at tho same rate as the local product, seeing that, by the present system, consumers of these articles who live at a distance from a port are unfairly handicapped." Mr Roberts moved this remit He said that there was no reason why it should not be given effect to, and it should be energetically pressed on the Government. It was no*-use sending the remit on year after year, unless there was some force given to tho representations. The motion was seconded by Mr Clothier. Mr Lill said tliat. tho railways were, in this case;, made a machine for collecting Customs duties. The backblocks men should be encouraged instead of ,".'*?naliscd. Mr Lead ley said that it was not a fair way to use the railways, and the Conference Was quite right in drawing attention to it. A suggestion was mado that a deputation from the Dominion Conference should wait on the Minis*ter of Railways, but it was pointed out that the North Island interests were against the South Island on this question. Tho remit was agreed to, and a deputation was appointed to wait on the Minister.

DRAFT ON WOOL. Oxford.—"That tho Executive take steps to back up the rrentlemen who aro advocating the abolition of the lib per cwt draft on wool." Mr O'Halloran moved this remit. He said that there were 21,000.000 shee.p* in the Dominion, and the lib draft, on their wooWo? 1 the country, approximately, £47,000. There was a movement in Australia to abolish the draft, aud the woolgrowens bere sbould be aoproacbed to surmort iliat object. Mr T. B. Howson seconded the motion, which was supported l>V' Mr Luscombe and Mr Clothier. Mr Luscombe .p-ointed out. that* the farmers got nothing for their bales, and he esiirhated that their loss was fully .-«. on every bile that went out of N-ew Zealand." The remit was agreed to. STAR LOTS. Oxford.—"That the Conference oppose the increase from two bales- to four bales in tho stir lots."' Air O'Halloran said that he did not wish this to apply to local .sales, but to the London sales. The remit was carried after a short discusion. FROZEN MEAT TRADE. Scargill.—"That it would be to the advantage of the frozen meat trade if a system of grading by Government officials were adopted. as in the case of dairy produce, flax, etc." This remit was* moved by Mr Roberts. He said that Government grading would not interfere to any extent with the present system of business. A system oi uniform grading would be beneficial- in many ways. In the event of a system of pooling of .mall lot. being adopted, tho* Government grading would give the small man confidence that he was being justly dealt with. If they had a uniform Government grade, the High Commissioner could, in his cables, report what certain grades were bringing. At present the companies did not work on ■ a unifcrm grade. Mr Jas. Seymour seconded the motion. He said that there was something wrong with the grading at the works. He had reason to believe that buyers could get the companies to grade as they desired. He had heard of one case in which sheep were sold at per lb, the original owner getting od for firsts, anel 4_d for seconds. The owner was surprised when the returns were about £5 less than he had exjx-cted, and on enquiry he found that the buyer had given instructions at the works for as many "seconds" to be made as possible.

Mr Wilfred Hall said that it was hardly desirable to usk the Government to appoint any more officials. He thought the difficulty might be met by approaching the companies, which vrere largely owned by farmers. They might be willing to consider an application by the Union for some regulations in regard to grading. If the two companies acted together they could not lie terrorised by buyers. Air O'Hallo-r-an thought that in the case quoted by Mr Seymour the buyer was quite justified in" getting the sheep graded to his own brands, as the grading by factory numbers might not suit him. Mr Sheat said that the system of pooling of small lots was discussed at the Frozen Meat Conference, and he was convinced that the proposed system would benefit the farmers. He. was satisfied that th<* fanners 'would get a better price than if all their lots we resubmitted separately, and in competition with one another. He was convinced that the heads of the freezing works here worked in the interests of the farmer. The President said that he was satisfied that the factory he dealt with would not alter their grade to suit his pocket, no matter what influence he ■brought" to bear. He opposed the appointment of a Government grader.

Mr Liil said that if a company grndod to put their own Lrand on they ■would praiic to suit themselves. If they did not put their brand , on, they would grade to suit the owner. Thu statement that a grader had been instructed to grade a.s many "seccivcW as possible rather staggered him. lie thought the companies should givepome exnlunation of the matter. Mr Horrell said that the Conference was confounding the. grades and sub-marks. He could understand a buytr asking for his slicen to be divided into certain sub-marks, but it staggered him that instructions could bo given to make as many "seconds'"' os possible. He. did not think that it was possible, that such a thing could bo done. Mr Clothier could not see the need of a Government grader until the buyers at Home complained of inefficient grading. Mr Horrell added that the Home buyers had spoken of the uniformity of Canterbury grades. Mr Roberts said that it was very desirable that there should be confidence in the grading. Ho did not think that it was necessary for the remit to r;o further. On the question being put, the remit -vvas defeated by a largo majority. It was then resolved to approach the companies to get information on the question of grading, particularly in regard to the point raised by Mr Seymour. LAND VALUATION. Prebbleton.—"That this; branch objects to the present method of the Government in valuing land, inasmuch as tho valuators do not go on the land to enquire and fee ■ for themselves the improvements and state of tho different properties." Taranaki Provincial Executive.— "That as the present system of valuing land for taxation purposes has , proved a complete, failure, owing to the impossibility of accurately separating tho unproved from the unimproved value, this Executive considers a much fairer i-nd much simpler wr.y would bo to tax on the annual value, witli the same exemptions as money invested in other industries, the annual value tc bo five per cent. (5 per cent.) of the capital value."'

Mr Patchett moved the adoption of the Prebbleton remit. Mr Clothier said that the wholo thing depended on tho valuer. A good man would go over tbo property, confer with tho owners, and satisfy himself that his values-were fair ones. The discussion showed that very diverse methods were adopted by different valuers, and that whero the valuers did not visit the properties there was dissatisfaction. The remit was agreed to. The President then moved the ..Taranaki remit, which he said was the old Property Tax. Mr Howsou seconded tho motion, but suggested that the 5 per cent, should bo brought down to 4 per cent. Mr Wilfred Hall sail that there was no reason why the farmer should pay a land tax twice as heavy as an income tax. He could not understand why the farmers did not demand the abolition of the land tax. -.Air Clothier said that if* the graduated land tax resulted in the cutting 'up-of largo estates, the settlement of more people on tho land,".and an increased exportation of, produce, the Union could hardly objecu to it. He instanced the Cheviot and Culverden Estates us successful examples of settled estates.. Mr Lill said that he had never been able to see why there should not be a graduated i:roperty tax-as well as a graduated 'and tax. Tho Conference adjourned at 9.30 p.m. until 10 a.m. next day.