RURAL AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 20591, 17 September 1930, Page 7

RURAL AFFAIRS

MEETING OF FARMERS’ UNION The Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union concluded its meeting yesterday afternoon. Mr J. 0. Revie was in the chair. RAIL WA Y COMM ISSION. A report by the special committee sot up to collect evidence to be placed before the Railways Commission was adopted, and the secretary submitted a report of a conference held with other organisations and local bodies. WEASELS AND STOATS. In connection with weasels and stoats, and the question as to whether or not they should be protected, it was decided that the matter be sent to branches for their opinions, MEMBERSHIP BADGES. Samples ot the membership badges agreed upon by the Dominion Conference were submitted to the meeting, and it was resolved to secure supplies for distribution, and also to circularise brandies. WOOL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION. A letter was received from the New Zealand Woolbrokers’ Association pointing out that woolgrowers were represented on the Wool Committee by three members out of a total of seven. There was, therefore, nothing to be done in response to the union’s request for representation on.the. Wool Committee .—Received Another communication from the same body was also considered. _ The association wrote stating that it was the considered opinion of representatives of the woolbroking business throughout New Zealand that it was impossible to reduce charges for handling and selling wool below the present basis.—The letter was received. POWER BOARD MATTERS. The special committee set up in respect ■ to negotiations between the Otago Electric Power Board and the executive reported; “We have come to the, unanimous conclusion that the most useful work left for the executive to do in connection with. Power Board affairs is to do its utmost to help the Power Board to get the goodwill of the consuming public. The Power Board is faced with a burden of debt which can only be removed by the creation of goodwill and a sympathetic endeavour on behalf of the consumers to increase its revenue and to assist the board in every way to recover its position. So long as the board makes an honest- attempt to carry out the recommendations of the expert advisers and exercises reasonable business acumen, we do not see any reason foi further action on the part of this provincial executive. The question of the personnel of the board is a matter entirely for the ratepayers and is not. in our opinion, a question for this executive—the fact remains that whatever the personnel of the board is. difficulties have still got to be faced and overcome if the board’s position is to improve.” The report was adopted. PRODUCTION OF GOLD. Mr Smith moved—“ That the executive instruct its secretary to write to the Minister of Mines suggesting that the time is now .opportune for the department to consider the payment of a bonus for the production of gold.” In Otago, he said, there was an immense area of land that was gold bearing, and some of it would be profitable if opened up properly. With a view to assisting unemployment and developing the country the Government should consider the advisability of giving a bonus for the production of gold. Mr J. Christie seconded the motion. After a discussion pro and con the motion, it was decided to refer the matter to a conference to bo held shortly , to consider similar questions. GENERAL. The secretary reported on the extension of the women’s division by the formation of branches in different parts of Otago A report was presented by the secretary on branch activities in various districts. Mr B. B. Tennent reported on the progress of boys and girls’ agricultural clubs in Otago. Mr Tamblyn brought up the matter of •an alteration in the payment _of leaseholders of their rent, remarking that they were not allowed now to pay it into the Post Office.—The secretary was asked to ascertain the position. FARMERS’ NEWSPAPER. A discussion took place concerning an appeal to members of the union to co-operate in the establishment of a farmers’ newspaper. A letter from Mr W. j. Poison (president of the New Zealand Union) set out the reasons why the fanning community should have an official organ, and intimated that unless 10,000 subscribers could be secured the project would be abandoned. Ho stressed the fact that a paper was necessary to the proper functioning of the Farmers’ Union. Mr Christie opposed the idea and moved that no action be taken, advancing as his reason the fact that a previous publication failed. The motion lapsed for want of a seconder. Mr Murney supported the proposal. If farmers were to bo educated as they should be a paper was necessary, he said. Mr Poison seemed to be confident that the venture could be carried through successfully if farmers would only give it sufficient support. Air Sheat suggested that the union subscription should be raised to include the cost of the paper to the farmer.

Mi Kinney stressed the need of a paper for tire distribution of propaganda and information which could not bo presented .to members throughout the country by the daily Press. Mr Leary moved that the executive should do its utmost to support the inauguration of an official organ for the Farmers’ Union, and invite the Dominion Executive to assist in a campaign for securing subscribers in Otago. It was also suggested that branches should bo urged to tan* the matter up immediately. Mr Craig said be doubled whether Otago needed a farmers’ paper since the Dunedin daily papers accorded farmers and fanning matters much better treatment than was accorded in other centres. The Farmers’ Union was very well catered for, and farmers should not overlook that fact.

After further discussion Mr Leary's motion was carried, the details of organisation and canvassing to be a matter of arrangement with the Dominion Executive.

Mr Leary then moved that the executive should express its deep appreciation of the generous treatment accorded to farming matters in the Dunedin daily papers. The publicity given was very valuable and assisted the farming community to keeps its interests and problems before the urban community, thus fostering a very necessary community of interest between sections of the country which must always bo interdependent. ’ The motion was carried.