FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18918, 5 February 1927, Page 6

FARMERS' UNION.

SOUTH CANTERBURY EXECUTIVE

A meeting of the South Canterbury District Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held yesterday, Mr J. Bitchener, M.P., presiding. There were also present: Messrs J. Trotlor. J. Henderson, P. R. Taibot, J. Clelaiul, D. E. Lewis, A. \V. Baruett, J. McComb, C. Ley, and R. Sinclair.

The chairman stated that the meeting had been ealled for the purpose of clearing up several important matters although the season was a busy one. The speaker had just returned from a wheat conference at "Wellington, and this meeting had been very well at- , tended from North Cape to the Bluff. Considerable discussion had taken place | regarding the rural credit scheme be- . ing brought about by the Government. ! The statement was there made that the scheme would be commenced on April Ist. There seemed to be a little mistrust in some quarters of the Government's intention to push the sale of bonds, but the speaker was confident that the Government would meet the situation, and that once the scheme was launched it would be most helpful. The position the freezing companies were drifting into was also discussed, it being shown that the large companies were rapidily sending the small cooperative companies out, of business. These companies were looking to the Meat Board for help, but the speaker was not sanguine of this. As a result of matters discussed, he was quite satisfied that the country could not get along on free trade, but must have protection. He was quite satisfied that in future they would have much more support from the North Island in regard to protection on wheat than they had experienced in the past. Wheat-growers. Mr P. R. Talbot also reported on the recent meeting held in Christehurch on lines alreadv reported in The Phebs. The result showed, Mr Talbot said, that when they banded together to demand a want "they did not have much difficulty in getting it. At the present time, however, millers seemed to be at sixes and sevens, and he asked that farmers, if possible, should hold out for more than was being offered at present. The wheat was worth at least sis or seven shillings a bushel, and not 5s 6d as was at present being offered. Ho thought the Government had tried hard to give them a fair deal. . In reply to Mr Trotter, Mr Bitchener said there had been no definite figure given in regard to the dumping duty. Bach shipment brought in would have to be judged on its merits, and the fluctuations in the market. Therefore it was impossible to figure what any shipment would bring until after it was past the Customs. This, he thought, would have a very big deterring influence on importers. Personally, he did not think it possible that fowl-wheat could be imported and then used in mills. However, he had been told by a man competent to judge, that this was actually the case in the north, but the Government had now taken steps to stop it. Votes of thanks were accorded Messrs Bitchener and Talbot for acting as delegates from the executive. In regard to the embargo on potatoes, Mr Bitchener said that they were becoming more or less used to treatment of this kind from Australia, but this was a more serious business than previously.* However, members could rest assured that the Government would leave no stone unturned to causa better judgment to prevail on the other side. Tariff Commission. A letter was received from the Dominion secretary regarding the Tariff Commission, stating that tho Commission proposed visiting various places for tho purpose of taking evidence, and asking that a list of any articles the executive wished to give evidence upon be forwarded to the Dominion executive. The chairman stated that the best course they could pursue would be to leave the matter for tho Dominion executive to act as their mouthpiece. The letter was received. Tho South Canterbury Grain, Seed, and Produce Merchants' Association wrote asking for information regarding the cost of production, stating that any iaformation would be appreciated for the consideration of the Tariff Commission.

It was decided to refer the Association to Lincoln College for (he required information.

The South Taranaki Provincial Executive wrote forwarding a resolution that the Dominion executive protest against the proposal of the Board of Studies, New Zealand University, to have the Subject of agriculture eliminated from the matriculation syllabus, as the scope should be broadened to include dairy science as a separate subject, so that students going forward to tho Agricultural College would have a. knowledge of these subjects. The chairman stated that this matter had already been dealt with by the University "Senate. The letter was received. Produce Grading. Tike president of the Waimate branch wrote stating that his branch had passed a resolution: "That the meeting of farmers consider the present method of grading produce at ports 1b most unsatisfactory in view of the fact that farmers have no say in the matter of grading, and they suggest that port graders should be appointed by the Department of Agriculture." j The chairman said that the matter had been rather a sore point with people not only in the Waimate district. It seemed the standard of grading was not uniform. What passed at one port was rejected at another. Mr Barnett stated that his branch would like a deputation to be appointed to interview the Minister for Agriculture on the matter. Mr Talbot urged that having started the matter they should certainly follow it up, as the standard of grading was very far tfom satisfactory. jt was decided that a deputation consisting of Messrs J. Bitchener, M.P., T. D. Burnett, M.P., P. R. Talbot, H. Ruddenklau, A. W. Barnett, D. Lewis, and A. Grant interview the Minister for Agriculture on his nest visit to the district. • A letter was received from Mr A. fl. Barnett (Waimate) suggesting that the question of weeds in bran lie brought before the Government with a request that it be made unlawful to adulterate bran and compulsory to braitd all bran and pollard. He submitted a sample which had been analysed by the Department of Agriculture, the report showing that a very large proportion of weed existed in a form capable of garminatioiH. It was deelSed to write to the Department of Industries and Commerce enclosing Mr Barnett's suggestions regarding compulsory branding.