FARMERS' UNION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 215, 30 May 1918, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION

THE WELLINGTON CONFERENCE VARIOUS RESOLUTIONS {Special Reporter.) Masterton, liny 2<i. Thp Wellington Conference of the Farmers' Union was continued hero to-day. Mr. G. L. Marshall (Marton) presided. Sheep Owners' Federation. In committee- tho conference resolved: That iji order to give strength to landowners'. opinions, tho executive of the Farmers' Union take steps to - unite with tho Sheep Owners' Federation. Agricultural Scholarships. Mr. J. A. M'Leavey (Palmerslon North) moved:— That tho funds collected by the Fanners' Union be set aside for agricultural scholarships open to all Government secondary schools. Mr. M'Leavey thought tho scholarships should be opeu to farmers' sons and not to sons of 6oldiers only. Mr. L. Howell considered that (he scholarships should be open to all schools —public or other. (Delegates disagreed.) The motion was not carried, the cont'wencG being of the opinion that it could not interfere with tho conditions. Stock Auctions. The following was moved l>y Mr. G. M'Gregor (Waverley):—"That Government be urged to amend tho Stock Act, to the effect that all stock disposed of through public yards be sold subject to inspection at vendor's risk within seven days of ealc." Tho motion ivas lost, hut the following, moved by Mr. J. Balsillio (l'alruorston North), was carried:— That tho stock auctioneers be compelled to stato names of the vendors uf stock put up for auction. Rate of Interest. Mr. ,1. I'rouso (Levin) moved: That this conference, on behalf of tho farmers of this lloniinion. applauds the intention of tbo National Government, us expressed by tlio Minister of finance, to limit to G per cent, the rate of interest for mortgages, and tenders ila hearty support to the proposal, mid that practical steps bo immediately taken to provide, through tho various State lending departments, sufficient funds to satisfy tho logitimato needs of burrowing farmers at 5-J per cent. Mr. Jj. Eroadbnlt (Levin) seconded tho motion, which was defeated. Rebate of Interest.

Mr. H. C. Cook (Cireytown) moved:— "That tho executive of tho runners' Union approach trie Government with a view to either amending or abolishing tho clause in tho Government Liio Insurance Department, which gives the Department tho power (o imposo a fi.no by way of premium of three months' interest on any sum repaid by th& mortgagco prior to tho due date of mortgage." Alter discussion tho motion was amended to suggest that instead of charging threo months' interest three months' nofico should be allowed. Hydro-Electric Power. Mr. AY. B. Jlatheson (Eketahuna) moved— (1) That the provincial executive should co-operalo with thu various chambers of commerce and local bodies iu urging upon tho Government the necessity of aa early start with the Mangahao hydro-electric scheme. (2) That tho Minister of Public AVorks be urged to proceed with the preliminary work on the Mongahuo hydro-electrical scheme as an urgent step towards national efficiency. Mr. Matheson. urged that we should mako tho best of our natural resources, and pointed out what a "sold mine" wo hnd in tlie Mungahno liiver. lie mentioned how the Jjulcu Coleridge scheme had cheapened power iu Christchurch, and said that also it had saved tho coal situation. If a big hydro-electric scheme wero established the farmers should get good service from it. Mr. A..Leigh Hunt (Wellington) said that there was a proposal to form ft league to push on tlie scheme, and that a meeting was to bo held at Falmcrston North at Show time.

Mr. A. Robinson (Wanganui) expressed the opinion that Wellington and Bonio of the other towns would take all lho power, and liie farmers would get nothing. The motions were carried, nud Mr. Matheson was appointed the conference delegate to the Palmorston North meeting. Waste Products. For the executive it was moved: Tljat tho Government bo urged to encourage tho .production of fuel from waste products. Mr. A. Leigh Hunt (Wellington) drew attention to an article by Mr. B. C. Aston, in tho "Journal of Agriculture," in which Mr. Aston stated that sawdust contained a considerable percentage of alcohol. Other delegates mentioned that alcohol could be made from potatoes. Mr. T. Moss (Ekctahuna) said that another "waste product" was small timber, which might be made into paper. Tho motion was carried. The National Flan. Tlip following Tinui remit was warmly supported-.— "l hat the national flag should be hoisted at all schools and the children taught to salute it on all State occasions." Several delegates spoko in favour ot instilling patriotism into tho children. It was mentioned that in the Waiigaiun Education District the children saluted the flag and sang the National Anthem eTery morning. The motion was carried unanimously.

Other Remits. The following further remits were carriuu:— "That tho Agricultural Department bo requested xo is=ue in each pusl olhce u. list of wir-niai'kb registered by larwers iu the respective districts. "That tho old system of chaff-cutting per toil Ijo rovortuil iu instead oi pac sack as at present. "Thac all oinceieU railway stations be connected wiUi the local telephone buroaus for the convenience of settlers. "That in order to increase the general interest of members iu tho union to promote unity of opinion it be a recommendation, to Uranches to increase the subscription on a graduated scale sufficiently to enable all members to receive a copy of thi> ''Farmers Uuion Advocate.' < "That the union further approach the Auctioneers' Association with a view to having commission on dairy stuck reduced in conformity with tho ruling rate of commission on ordinary stock. "That the Government bo urged to extend the time granted to lease in perpetuity settlers in which lo make their land freehold." Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted «s under:—President, Mr. G. L. Marshall (Marlon); vice-president, Mr. W. B. Mathesun (Eketahuna); treasurer, Mr. W. J. Birch (Marton); hon. members, Sir James Wilson (Bulls), Mr. Thomas Mossv(Bketahumi); Executivo Committee, Messrs. A. Robinson (Wanganui), .1. Balsillio (Palmerstou North), O. G. Olliver (Mangaweka), H. Booth (Feilding), E. Law (Shannon), J. A. M'Leavey (Palmerston North), E. Campbell (Wangalini), H. A. Kevins (Tinui;, Hugh Morrison (Masterton), A. P. Whatman (Musterton), A. D. M r Lcod (Marlinboroueh), 11. Morison (Greytown), (W. Douglas (Tinui); delegates to Dominion Conference, tho president (Mr. Marshall), treasurer (Mr. Birch), nnd Messrs. W. B. MatheKon (BketiiliiiDii) ami A. Robinson (Wanganui). Tho next conterenco is to bo held in Wellington.

Progandra quickly cures Corns—ls.Advt. I