FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16947, 23 September 1920, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

MEETING OP EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the executive of tho North Canterbury Provincial District oE fbo Now Zoaland Fanners' Union wae held yesterday, Mr TV. A. Banks presiding. Tlie Poverty Bay district wrote forwarding fl> lengthy letter, -winch, it was 3ta.tcd, was being sent to every provincial, district of the Dominion, to every Cabinet Minister, and to the Leader of the Opposition, tho letter 3tiongly appealing for the appointment of a. qualified bacteriologist for tlio Dominion, Mid urging tho appointment of Dr. J. A. Gilruth, or, i£ ho were not available, sorno other eminent bacteriologist. The letter, it v/aa explained, was in support of tho Auckland remit submitted to tho Dominion Conference, wliich unfortunately was not brought forward until the termination of tho Conference. The various -unions yrero asked to give their support and co-operation in pressing for the appointment. Tho chairman said that he was strongly in favour of the establishment of a biological taction o£ the Agricultural Department, under Dr. C. J. Ecakos. In .view of the cattle tick menace, something of the sort was decidedly accessary, but he was not in favour of tho appointment of Dr. Gilruth. Dr. Gilruth v-'' certainly an eminent scientist, but 03' far as hm administrative ability wae concerned, in view of his experience "in Northern Australin, Mr Hanks raa extremely doubtful. As&in, the appointment of Dr. Gilruth to tho i'epartment -would lead to ructions. Thoy had an excellent -head of the Department in Dr. Reakes, and Dr. Gilruth, ( if he were appointed, would bo working under Dr. Reokee, who had formerly been nnder him. Mr D. Bates eaid that ho considered it would bo impoiitic at the present timo to appoint a man like Dr. Gilruth, -who would j need a- whole staff of officials. It would bo impolitic to go in' for anything at present _ that would entail big expenditure. On tho motion of Mr Bates, it was decided merely to receive tho letter. Tho Immigration Department wrote stating l that the Imperial Government had decided to extend tho granting of free pessages to ex- I service men and women who wished'to settle j j within the Empire overseas, to lads from 17 | to 20 years of age who wero too young to eerv© in the war. These lads were willing to take work as farm labourers, «xme of them having had farming experiences. In addition to the free passages, their outfit would also be provided, and nil a-pplicante would have to bo approved by the High Commissioner. Tho Department asked for tho union's opinion on the matter, and the approximate number of youths -under tho echeme that this district could absorb. llombera expressed approval of tho proposal, and it v.-as decidod to eend a copy of the letters to the various branches of the. North C-antcrburv district, and asking what number they could absorb. It was decided to give the union's heartiest approval and support to the Canterbury ProgTetanJveagiie in ite endeavours to have the Dominion School of Forestry located in Canterbury."