SHEEPOWNEES' UNION.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16851, 3 June 1920, Page 4

SHEEPOWNEES' UNION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. Th? Executive the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union met yesterday-.f r r e ; cnt .7 Messrs L. A. Rutherford (pre?idri t. H. Smith. Geo. Murray, L. K. C. Ma-far ]ane, D. G. Vrisht, "tt". Parkinson, and VI . W. Mcßae. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs M. Bethell, C. H. Er. , 11. Acton-Adam?, E. Hay, and H. IX Acland. Mr K. Gibb, winner of tho cup sma mecla. given bv the Union for competition among the students in tlie shearing classes at the Technical College, was in attendance, nnd the President, in presenting him the trophv, heartily congratulated, him on me excellent work done by him at the shoes on the uav of the competitions, and expressed r, hope' that the high standard reached on that occasion would always be maintained bv him. Mr Rutherford referred to the iirgent necessity for instruction in blade shearing, and expressed a hope that tne number of students in these classes ■would l>e greatly increased in future. This view ■was heartily endorsed Tjy other members present, the necessity for keeping up tne supply of blade shearers being fully recog-

nised. _ Mr Rutherford, in reporting on the Conference, said that members had no do tun seen by -the papers that the shipping companies were agreed that there would be no scarcity of shipping for meat, provided no serious industrial troubles were met and this bore out the conclusions arrived at at. the previous meeting of the executive. He was pleased to bo able to report that lis v;;us successful in getting a, motion carried that thcro should be absolutely open markets for meat and wool, and no restriction whatever )flaced on selling in the best markets. He said he felt that the only solution of the jiresent difficulties was in the acquisition of new markets, and the very friendly majiner in which this motion was received, convinced him that this was also tlio honest opinion of the majority of the delegates. A committee was clccted to, go into and deal with mutters of shipping, freezing, and other questions of importance to producers. This committee would act with the Board of Agriculture and the Departments concerned. Ono proposal that wa.s brought, forward was that the wool remaining in New Zealand at the end of the shipping arrangement, should be sold locally, hut this was ono of the questions that would have to be dealt with by the committee appointed. Some valuable information was given by Mr Rutherford on matters affecting the industry, and a. full discussion took place on the various points raised, and it was decided that.tho President bo given a free hand to deal with any questions brought 1 before the committee in Wellington. Speaking on the question of local sales of the wool remaining in New Zealand in July, Mr-P. H. Smith said he presumed that the bulk of this would be low-grade wool. The opinion was expressed that if this -,vool was sold at once, it would probably bo in the best interests of woo'growers. Ono member stated, when speaking on the question regarding the disposal of' meat, that the' worst thing appeared to bo that New Zealand lamb was being sold as English, and' South Anlcrican inferior lamb as New Zea- | land on the Home market. It was agreed that this was a point well worth keeping in view in the interests Gf Nov/ | Zealand producers. Satisfaction was expressed at the strenuous efforts that had been made by 3lr Mussey on behalf of producers. Xhr President also reported that wliile in Wellington he approached the Minister of Agriculture on the question of the destruction of the kea. The Minister stated that, this matter was receiving the attention of his Department, a scheme was being formulated, and he was only awaiting an opportunity to get the collaboration of the Ministers "and the other Departments concerned, before bringing forward his priposals for dealing with this pest. He explained that it was solely owing to the many more relatively important matters that had had to be attended to, that ho had not brought this matter before the Cabinet earlier. He expected at an early dat-o to bo able to give details cf the proposals for dealing with this question. Mr Rutherford, in referring to the question of half profits, reported that the subcommittee appointed had made exhaustive enquiries into the position, and the results of thoir investigations had been oommunicate'd to members. H» said he had received ample evidence that a great deal of good had been done by the publication of the article on this matter,, as it had shown the general public that the New_ Zealand shcepowners had not been receiving any* thing like tho world's market value for their ■ produce, as 4 ,the allegations of profiteering on tho part of woolgrowers had 'been proved to be absolutely without foundation.

T!)o sub-committec appointed to deal with susgcstecl amendments to the Stock Act, reported that tliey had Hot been tblo to

complete their work in time for the meeting, but arrangements had been made for a, meeting of Departmental / officers and the sub-committee, on June 7th, to go fully into tho question. The officers of the Stock Department had promised every possible help in this matter. A circular tvas read from the secretaries of

various Associations, suggesting a concentration of offices. After Ecmo discussion tlio pi evident, secretary, and treasurer, were appointed delegates to go into tbe matter. Jit: D. Gr. Wright said that this would undoubtedly be a gTcat convenience, and result in a saving of time. Mr F. H. Smith endorsed Mr "Wriglxt's remarks, and said that the scheme appeared to be a move in the right direction. A copy of tho annual report of the Ch'istchurch Technical College for the year 1.919. was received, and the secretary was instructed to * thank Dr. Hansen for forvrarding it. Appreciative referenco was ■made to the. "work of the College during the past year. A letter was read from the Director of the Ashburton Technical School, acknowledging receipt of the Union's yearly donation, and stating that Mr Peid was the Union's representative for the coining year on the Board of Governors of the school.