FARMERS’ UNION

Evening Star, Issue 18032, 28 July 1922, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION

THE DOMINION CONFERENCE. Colonel Pow (general secretary of the R.S.A.) appeared before the Farmers’ Union Conference in, Wellington yesterday, and said that .he had been _ requested by Major-general .Sir -Andrew Russell (president of the association) to ask the conference to discuss matters affecting the farming interests of returned soldiers.— The president suggested that a delegate from the Returned Soldiers’ Association bo appointed an honorary member of the Dominion Executive of the Fanners’ Union, to meet once every three months. “If you come to our meetings,” said the president, “it will put ns in touch with your troubles. Wo might bo in a position to help. Certainly we shall try to.” The following resolution was Remitted* from Hawke’s Bay, and referred to the Executive Committee; —“That the Government be requested to renew the telephone regulations wjt'h a view to adopting the zone system and further liberalisingthe erecting of back-blocks lines, thereby doing justice to settlers in remote localities.” A motion remitted from North Canterbury, to the effect that all classes of producers should be joined up under the name of the “ Producers’ Federation,” and that the name of this organisation bo changed accordingly* was negatived, the president ruling that any discussion as to a change of title was out of order. . The following resolutions were discussed in committee and subsequently carried ; “That this conference considers the present time opportune for the Dominion Executive to bring about the working of an agreement with the Slhecpowncrs’ Federation, the Council of Agriculture, and other kindred organisations.” BANKING MATTERS.

The Auckland report of the Banking Committee was adopted in the form of the following resolutions ;—“ That the Government bo asked to adopt in any legislation it may brjng down the principles of the Bavara-n Aericultural Bank in so far as they may be applicable to New Zealand, combining ns they do the-functions of a long term land mortgage and a. short term for credit associations. That this conference earnestly nraes upon the Government that' it should set up a select committee to consider such banking legislation and report to the Government, on which committee the Farmers’ Union shall be adequately represented.” A resolution on these lines was then carried unanimously. The following remit was carried: “That the attention of the Government be drawn to tjic high rale of interest being charged by the banks in New Zealand, and also that the Government he asked if any assistance can be given to secure a reduction ”

Mr J. D. Bates (North Canterbury) moved—“ That the Administration consider the proportionate levy of all external exchanges levied l by banking institutions upon the public.” Ho was given leave to substitute for the remit tho following: “That tho Administration be asked to abolish internal exchange,” and the motion was carried.

Mr H. Tilyard (Wairarapa) moved the following remit That several dairy factories have'obtained loans from banks to make improvements to the factories, and the' banka insist that the loan bo repaid at a rate of Id per lb on butler-fat. In tho past* the rate was <Jd per Lb, and to help farmers in tho present crisis the asj sociated banks be requested to revert to I the sliding scale of the repayment system : on a basis of price up to Is, per lb ; : Is to Is 9d, sd; and' Is lOd up, to Id.”— The remit was adopted. Mr C. H. Bridge (Poverty Bay) moved—- “ That an effort be made to reduce freights and shipping charges upon producers.”— The remit was carried.--The board sat in committee at night. WATERFRONT LABOR. -The following remit from Auckland was carried That, in view of tho great importance to the public and the industries of the dominion of the efficient control and working of the waterfront industry, it bo an earnest recommendation to the Government that it institute an early and exhaustive inquiry into the, whole matter of cargo handling at the various portc.” PRODUCERS’ SHIPPING LINE. The following remit was discussed (discussion will bo resumed to-morrow): “That a producers’ shipping line ho formed, in co-operation with the Government, to carry all our primary products to overseas markets on a compulsory basis; a Government loan to be raised for tho purchase of ships, and the interest and sinking fund to be guaranteed by the producers. Also, that the lino be controlled by a board, consisting of two representatives to bo nominated by each of the primary industries interested, together with one Government nominee, the said board to hold the line in trust for the whole of the primary producers of the dominion, no.shares to be issued or dividends paid, and all profits to bo utilised to improve the storage facilities in the Old Country, cheapen freights, and reduce poundage rates.”