FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18241, 27 November 1924, Page 11

FARMERS' UNION.

NORTH CANTERBURY EXECUTIVE. The Xorth Canterbury Executive of the Farmers' Union ruot yesterday afternoon. Present,: Messrs J. D. Hall (chairman), E. T. McMillan, W. J. Heney, A. M. Carpenter, "\V. Soilcy, H. G.-Parish, E. Wells, E. J. Brown, C. Mcintosh, and F. A. Wagner. An apolojry for Ibo absence of Mr W. W. Mulholland wo.s received. 'l'ho Dominion Secreiary (Mr J. Pow) TiToto reporting that, in accordance with s. resolution of t,ho Dominion. Conference, a a illuminated certificate of life membership of tho Now Zealand Farmers' Union had been, presented to, tho. Governor-General (Lord Jellicoe). It was decided to pay the executive's -proportion of the cost of tho certificate.

The Hon. W. 'Kos-worthy, Minister of Agriculture, replying to the executive's letter urging that an increased grant bo mado iu connexion with tho plant-breeding work at Lincoln College in co-operation wit.li the Department of Agriculture, wrote {hat tho matter had been gone into carefully a-nd ho would hayo been prepared to give a definite reply but for tho fact that the Goveiniocut is at present considering tuo who.e question of agricultural instruction and allied activities, including plant-breeding. This involved a question direcUy affecting 1 Lincoln College and »a- it waß hoped that thir> may bo discussed with the Board of Governors and the director of tho College at an early date, it was thought "that tho matter of the plant-breeding subsidy could b;> raoro satisfactorily dealt with at .the earno time. . Tho letter was received, tho chairman remarking that' Dr. Reakca (Director culture) had informed'tho Dominion Execu-th-o that ho was making arrangements for a conference at Lincoln at "which it "was hoped to pet. a commission, appointed to go info tbo whole matter of tho amount to be voted for research work. Tho Oxford branch forwarded the following remits:— (1) That tho executive be urged to°move in the direction of securing facilities at Aldington ea.leya.rds for weighing Sat cattle, and fat pigs; (2) That the executive jirga the Chris church City Council to crcct cool storage at the abattoirs. Mr Parish said that farmers were not getting fair treatment in respect of the sale of their stock. Butchers bad' had a good time but, the published quotations of prices for fat stock were not always reliable. It was considered that fat cattle should bo sold on the scales and the necessity for a special dav for the sale of fat etock being arranged for was a growing one. He spoke, of tbo necessity for cool storage and eaid, tha-j owincr to the absence of such stock deteriorated. If Auckland could provide 000 l storage •Ohristchurch could »if> the same. The-time was coming when the farmer should know wbat price per pound ha was getting for his stock.' He moved tho adoption of tlic remits. Tub chairman s'lid he thought both matters should be supported, and ha seconded tho adoption' of the remits. Cattle should be sold in a. ring, the weight being announced of each beast as it entered tho

ring. / Mr Carpenter cairl that, in other parts, cattle and pigs were sold on livo weight. The remits ,wero adopted. The Canterbury S.P.C.A. wrote expressing appreciation of the executive's attitude towards the question of dehorning cattle. Iu the near future it was probable that tbe Societv would be movin-g in the direction of bringing about legislation making dehorning compulsory throughout tho Dominion, when the Society would be glad to receive t.be support of the executive and others interested. Tho letter was received. A letter was received from tho Progress League on tho subject of the proposed pooling of interest charges in respect 01 the Dominion's hydro-electric schemes, but 110 action was taken, the chairmau remarking that he did not see how the matter affected farmers. It was decided to bo represented on .he Christchurch Committeo of tho Dunedin Exhibition. The chairman reported the formation of a branch at HaJkett, and said that two or three more branches wero in proces3 of formation. Tho registration of the Halkett branch was approved and confirmed. The secretary stated that Mr »T. G. Cook, Government Wool Expert, would be available to ?ivo shed demonstrations during the second week of next month. It, was decided that the. Pastoral Committee should be merged with the Agricultural Committee. , . . Mr AVagner referred to tho fact tuat new wool parks weighed Olb, while lllb was allowed for them. Ho thought that they should get the tare reduced.' It wa3 decided to combine with the Sheepowners' Union in approaching tho Wcolbrokers' Association on tbo subject.