RURAL AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 21662, 6 March 1934, Page 9

RURAL AFFAIRS

FARMERS' UNION MEETING A meeting of the Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers Union was commenced this morning in the Public Trust building, the president (Mr M. A. Kinney) occupying the chair. The following were also present:—Messrs C. R. Sheat (Milton), E. H. Murney (Tapanui), J. D. Revie (Crookston), W. Bradfield (Owaka), D. H. Cockburh (Arthurs Point), A. Craig (Greenfield), J. S. Elliot (Middlemarch), A. Grant (Wylie’s Crossing), C. W. Hallum (Waikouaiti), John Henry (Taieri Beach), A. C. Leary (Evan’s Flat), R. H. Michelle (Milton), W. J. M'Kenzie (Waikoikoi), T. Stockdill (Miller’s Flat), R. J. E. Smith (Wedderburn), A, Spoor (Pine Hill), F. Waite (Balclutha), John Clarke, James Begg, Win. Lee (Waikouaiti) , and John Christie (Warepa). . FARMERS’ TOUR. Referring to the tour of the farmers from New South Wales, the Chairman criticised the system whereby the visit had been arranged in a manner necessitating a hurried run through the country. It was impossible, he said, for visiting farmers to see every type of farming in this country when they were rushed from place to place and made to spend most of their time travelling. The Secretary (Mr A. C. Cameron) endorsed these remarks, but added that the visitors could not speak too highly of the hospitality they had been shown during their trip through Otago. COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. The meeting notified the appointment of Messrs I). H. Cockburn and J. Ritchie as members of the council in the meantime. In welcoming Mr Cockburn, the chairman paid a tribute to the spirit which had prompted the Wakatipu representatives to make such long trips to town in the interests of the union. Mr Cockburn said that the visiting New South Wales farmers were greatly impressed by what they bad seen m the Wakatipu district, both from the point of view of scenery and farming methods. He himself appreciated very much the honour of taking his father’s place on the council. WOOL SALE NEWS. Referring to the broadcasting of wool sales, the Secretary said that, in response to requests, they had interviewed the broadcasting people here with a view to having the sales reported in detail, and he would ask Mr Jones to report on what had been said. Mr Jones stated that the director of broadcasting in Dunedin had said that, as far as he was concerned, he had no objection to carrying out the broadcasting of the sales in detail, but there were regulations that made this impossible. It was not possible to go beyond the giving of a summary indicating the trend of prices, and, if anything further was required, it would have to be made a national affair. Several members expressed the opinion that a s.ummary of the sale was all that could be expected, and the question was left at that. UPPER CLUTHA TRANSPORT. In regard to complaints from the Upper Clutha branch concerning transport matters, it was intimated that there was a chance of the grievances being rectified before the local transport licensing authority. It was stated that, in any case, if twenty-five settlers of a district petitioned for an investigation, the licensing authority would have to hold a special meeting in the district to consider any such complaints. It was decided that the information on the subject which had been gained locally should be forwarded to the branch, with the statement that the case could be reopened in the district on the requisition of twenty-five signatories. EXPORT LAMBS. Mr Murney, in dealing with the export lamb competition, said that it would be necessary to prepare for the competition earlier in the season than some farmers appeared to think. It was not every farmer who was familiar with the requirements of the competition. Arrangements could be made to help the farmers' to prepare their stocks. He would suggest that a campaign lie organised some time early in the spring. In the meantime nothing

could be done. He had gone into the matter with the secretary of the Otago A. and P. Society (Mr A. F. Duthie), and he could assure them that the society would co-operate with them in every way. Mr James Begg stressed the value of the competition, pointing out that farmers would learn a great deal from it and at the same time gain a useful advertisement. DOMINION CONFERENCE. Mr Waite reported on the Dominion Conference, dealing in committee with organisation matters and going on to outline what had been discussed in regard to the position of the dairy farmers. ’ Messrs Revie, Cameron, and the chairman also spoke on the conference. INTEREST RATES. , The following remit' from the Tahatika branch was carried; —“That this branch strongly supports the Dominion Executive in any pressure it can bring to bear on the Government at the forthcoming dairy conference for a reduction in interest rates.” FOREIGN SHIPPING. A remit from the Waikouaiti branch protesting against foreign shipping competition was considered. Mr Lee said it was obviously unfair that British ships should be debarred from carrying goods between American ports when American vessels were per r mitted to trade between British countries. He would move that the remit .be, passed. The motion was seconded by Mr Bradfield. ■ , On the suggestion of Mr Begg it was agreed to amend the resolution to read as follows: —“That the Government be urged to take every possible step to debar ships of a foreign country from carrying passengers or goods between British ports so long as British ships are debarred from trading between the ports of such foreign country.” CATALOGUING OF WOOL. The Lawrence branch forwarded a remit stating that in cataloguing wool new wool should take precedence over old wool.—The executive to inquire into the matter. Mr Leary said that his branch took strong exception to the manner in which the wool sales were conducted, and unless any good reason were forthcoming as to why new wool should not take precedence over old wool he thought that the executive should do everytliing in its power to have the matter rectified. Mr Craig voiced similar opinions, suggesting the appointment of a 1 subcommittee to go into the matter. Mr Cookburn urged that the committee should be empowered to investigate also the question of wool weights in regard to which discrepancies were always occurring. The remit was carried, and the secretary was given authority to investigate the matter. It was agreed also that the secretary go into the question of wool weights.