FOR PRODUCERS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1190, 27 July 1911, Page 8

FOR PRODUCERS.

— i ' THE PROPOSED ASSOCIATION. FURTHER STEP.TAKEN. The discussion of Mr. Vavasour's motion in regard to the proposal to establish a Producers' Association in London, and the levying of a rate on sheep and call lb' was resumed at (he Partners' Union Conference yesterday. At tlio opening day of the' conference Mr. Vavasour had moved:— "That this conference endorse the proposal of the Now Zealand Producers' Association to ask the Government to introduce a Bill during the coming session to establish an association for the protection of the producers' interest in regard to frozen and other produce, and empowering that association to levy a rale on all sheep (exempting hocks under 2JO) and all cattle (exempting herds under 50) for the' purpose oi, providing.the necessary . funds." An amendment was moved by Mr. Evans as'under:—"This conference expresses its sympathy with the efforts of the New Zealand Producers' Association to improve the handling'arid sale'of our frozen produco iu London, and refers its proposal to promote a Bill giving.it power to levy a rale on sheep and. cattle to provide it with funds, to the various provincial executives for their consideration."

■Mr. Vavasour, speaking. to the amendment,, that the proposal .be referred to the various provincial executives for their consideration, said Mr. M'Queeu had- said ■ tho previous day that the statements mado by Mr. . Lysnar and him (the speaker) had been contradicted. This wits so, but . tho statements had never been reported.' The'ro was not the slightest doubt that tho handling of meat in London was absolutely disgraceful. It was put on the market in a dirty and broken condition.. He was told that the same thing applied to butter. It was an extraordinary thing to his mind, that in every betterment movement they.had to face the antagonism of tho freezing companies.- The movement, however,- would assist the freezing companies who had no reason for antagonism. .It had been said that the freezing companies know their own business, but he believed that they were ignorant of the majority of the subjects the farmers had taken up. Mr. Vavasour 'proceeded to illustrate a case where he had pointed out' a.mistake that was being made. at the time ho was in London.' This same mistake was pointed out to (ho freezing companies concerned, l'roni London, two years later. He was satisfied that tho scheme would help the freezing companies and the butter industry to the extent of millions of pounds. (Hear, hear.) Mr. D: Jones (Canterbury) said the remark of the Hon. T. Mackenzie on T'uesilay.that the High Commissioner's office wa.-s tho office to look after the 'New Zealand produce, said that' though irregularities had been pointed . out, these men had not discovered anything. It seemed that they might be paying money away in high salaries without getting the return they" should got. It might be that •the-conference.■would feel that it should pass a resolution urging the reorganisation of the whole stall' at'the- High Commissioner's, office. (Hear, hear.) Two years ago ftew Zealand was iii I ho' forefront at Home, but now nothing was heard ot it. We were all behind in getting our meat on to the Continent and everything pointed to tho necessity for reorganisation of Ihe High Commissioner's oftico Jlr. M'Queen (Southland) put in a stl'ong plea for the work done by the freezing companies in working up the great meat industry, u Hfr thought that proposal should he'referred to the branches.

Mr. Ensor, North Cnnterburv, said it was against the interests of the'merchant and the shipper to have the trade disturbed. If the producer did not take art interest iu regulating the trade, no one else would.

,Mr. 11. A. Nerins (Tenui) thought the farmers themselves were in a large measure to blamo for the trouble at Home. Die difficulty was that tho lots • sent Home were too small. Again, the bags covering the meat might be better. He (lid not think the freezing companies here were very much to Mam?. As to the nes.t'tax, he could not see' irhv tins" should'bp put on. Mr. Evans's amendment was then approved. ■".'■■•

"Mr., Makgill (Wniuku) said lie was strongly ill favour 'of the proposal. He was convinced (hat the movement was for the good of tho farming commnnitv, and could be productive of nothing but good. If they passed the remit'"as it stood, however, they were taking a very large step without consulting the tranche?.' He thought the executives should bo instructed to bring the matter before the branches. He moved a further amendment as follows:—"That this question be referred to the provincial executives with a recommendation to have meetings called by each of their branches of those- fanners in their districts who may bo interested, so that the general opinion of the farming community on this r/uestion be obtained, with a recommendation from this conference that they believe the powers asked for would' be of general benefit to tho producers of the' Dominion." Mr. W. .T. Birch (Morton) seconded tho -amendment, which he said exactly met his views. Mr. T. W. Foster (Wyndham) also supported tho amendment. This he thought was the only constitutional method of proceeding. After some further discussion, Mr. Makgill's amendment was adopted.