FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18636, 10 March 1926, Page 7

FARMERS' UNION.

OXFORD BRANCH. The monthly meeting of the executive of the Oxford branch of the New , Zealand Farmers' Union was held on Friday night, March sth, when the chairman, Mr E. G. Wells, presided over a. good attendance. ■ The Postmaster-General wrote in regard to the proposal for direct telephonic connexion between Oxford and Sheffield, and stated that "owing to the very Bmall amount of telephonic business transacted between those; 'places, and the comparatively heavy expenditure that would be involved in providing the connexion, the request for a direct line could not.be favourably considered." _ It was stated* in reply to this, that _if facilities were provided there would be increased business. It coßt 4d to communicate with Rangiora and Is 7d with Sheffield. If the direct communication obtained, the comvniunication with the western district might amount to that with Rangiora, with a similar charge. ' . ' It was decided to continue to urge that the connexion .should -be granted. It was regretted that the railway washout on the Oxford-Sheffield line was not repaired. The communication from the district engineer was to the effect that the matter was under the consideration of the head office. On account of the repairs not being effected, "View Hill railway communication is with' Sheffield, and not with Oxford, and in consequence of there being no direct telephonic communication between Oxford and Sheffield, the residents are put to unnecessary expense and delay. It. was decided to urge that the repairs be effected without delay. Referring to local telephonic affairs, comment was made on the general non observance of the telephonic rule that "the essence of the telephone ' system is brevity." In too -many cases the lines are monopolised by individuals, greatly to the inconvenience of other -subscribers. On certain lines this was particularly noticeable, especially on days when thero is a limited service, such as holidays and Sundays. It was considered that a little thoughtfulness on the part of subscribers would obviate many inconveniences. The secretary was instructed to write to the local postmaster in regard to •certain matters. Tho wheat question was considered, and, the position was declared unsatisfactory. It was thought that the outcome of the discussions on the wheat question during recent months would be a wheat pool. This would stabilise prices. Communication was received from the provincial secretary to the effect that a number of experienced farm labourers would be arriving by vessels shortly, and advising farmers to forward applications for labour to. Mr H. D., Thompson, Uuder-Secre- . tary, Department of Immigration, Wellington, . stating the class of labour required, and the wages offered. It was considered that there should be a more general distribution of the immigrants. At present it seemed that few men or boys came to the South Island. In regard to junior immigration, a report from the Dominion secretary stated that'up to date 316 public school boys had arrived in New Zealand for the New Zealand Farmers* Union and for the Tarsnaki Chamber of Commerce. These boys had been allocated as follows: —Auckland 178, . Canterbury 10, Hawke's Bay 26, Marlborough 8, Nelson 9, Otago ,12, Southland 15, Taranaki 104, Wellington 14. In a brief discussion, the opinion was expressed that in all cases of boy employment, there should be a local authority. Farmers' Union or other body, to keep an eye on the position, and look after the boys' interests. The local body or authority should exercise a paternal interest in not only immigrant boys, but all boys on farms, working in districts other than those in which their- homes were situated. Mr Parish drew attention to a meat quotation in a paper of recent date, which quoted Smithfleld prices of lamb, both 36 s and 42's, as 10id, while Dalgety's report of the same date quoted 7d and Bd. He thought that the Meat Board should report on the actual state of the market, such report to be unquestioned. He also read a report o£ a Home market in which the sales of lamb were quoted at 70s to 78s, hoggets to 100s, fat sheep 995. The top price for maiden • heifer was £35, while baconers fetched ~£ll. He asked what would be the retail price of that meat, and also what would be the weight of those lambs! It would appear that it would far exceed 361b, the maximum of popular weights. ... . The financial affairs of the branch were considered, and it was determined to try to secure as many outstanding subscriptions as possible by the next meeting, to ' bo held on March 26th, -when arrangements ' would be made for the annual meeting.