FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15498, 27 January 1916, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The Nortli Canterbury Executive of the Farmers' Union met yesterday, Mr Geo. Gardner pi chiding. 'J lie Inder-Sccrctary of the Agricultural JJepartmeut wrote with reference to a letter from the Union urging the removal of the embargo on the slaughtering of -young cattle in the case of the drought-stricken areas of the South Island, stating that- it had been decided to accept [or purchase., on liehaif of the Imperial Government, meat from young cattle under two years old, depastured on land in Canterbury and North Otago only, provided it be of sufficiently good quality to be classed. in one ot the following three classes in the Imperial meat supplies purchasing schedule :—Class '12, second quaiity beef; Class 13, boning quality beef; Class 10. boneless beef. A'ermission had been given for the slaughter of such young cattle as came within the scope of the foregoing descriptions as from January 10th, and the freezing companies and Government inspectors in Canterbury and at Oamaru Lad, been notified accordingly. It was decided to thank the Government . for tljo coujcessian„grani«d Tho chairman suggested that* the Union should invite Sir Rider Haggard to attend a meeting t<> explain liis mission throughout tho Empire for the purpose of encouraging agricultural settlement. Sir Rider -would be visiting New Zealand in tho course of his tour. The suggestion was adopted. In reply to Mr Lill. the chairman said that no reply had been received from tho Government' relative to grain duties. Mr Gardner added that by the present outlook, the Canterbury grain-grower would soon be as cxtinct as tho moa. Tho chairman said that recent happenings indicated that the members of local bodies did not take an adequate view of their responsibilities, the result being that the paid officials took control, and frequently led their local bodies into trouble. There should be a. more complete check exercised over j the finances of local bodies. It was resolved to hove the matter discussed at the next Conference.