FARMERS’ UNION

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 June 1936, Page 12

FARMERS’ UNION

WEST COAST DISTRICT

ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

The annual conference of the West Coast Provincial District of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held at Greymouth yesterday, Mr P. J. O’Regan (president, Inangahua Junction) presiding over an attendance of the following delegates:—Messrs N. H. Brown (Wataroa), W. Searle, junr., and J. J. McKay (Hari Hari), J. Baird and J. Ryan (Rotomanu), M. E. Goulding (Mokihinui), D. Jellie (Arahura), F. Delaney and A. W. Bell (Inangahua), N. McMahon (Cronadun), W. Fisher, H. G. Carter (Ngahere), T. E. Jennings and F. Musson (Karamea), W. J. Thomas, V. T. Lloyd' and H. Beckett (Teremakau), D. Shannahan and W. Norton (Greymouth), W. Clayton, J. Teasdale (Grey Valley), S. Yde (Inchbonnie), and -J. Mulcare (secretary, Ngahere). Prior to the opening of the meeting, a vote of condolence was passed with the relatives of the late Mr A. Dalziel whom, the president remarked, had taken an active part in the Union affairs for many years, and was a familiar figure at the meetings. The President said that he was pleased to say that the Mayor (Mr. W. Meldrum) had consented to be present and open the conference, and he wished to thank the Mayor for his action. The Mayor said that he was very pleased when he was asked to open the Conference.. He spoke with some little experience of farming, and that had taught him the value ,oi the Farmers’ Union work. There was no doubt that the delegates at the Conference represented the greatest industry in the country, and, therefore, it was very important that they should meet and deal with the many problems which they had to face. Slumps came along, over which they had no control, owing to the fact that the farmers were so dependent on world markets. The present Government had been elected with a very large majority, and it was beyond question the farmers’ vote which turned what might have been a small majority into a very large one. That was to give the Government an opportunity to fulfil its election platform of guaranteed prices. Undoubtedly, it was a great -experiment —everyone hoped that' it would turn out satisfactorily, and probably it would, but only experience alone would prove it. The Conference was representative of one of the most active branches of the Union in New Zealand. ' Seventy-five per cent, of the farmers of this district were members of the Union, and there were 1G active branches—the gathering to-day being representative of all of those. It showed the interest that the farmer whs taking in anything affecting his interests, and added more weight to the deliberations of the Conference. In conclusion, Mr. Meldrum, wished the delegates every success in their deliberations, and welcomed them on behalf of the citizens of Greymouth.

’ COAST REMITS. Outlining the fate of the West Coast remits at the Dominion Conference, ’the president said that, in regard to railway fences, the Railways Board had agreed to establish special fencing gangs, to go from district to district, repairing fences, on the same system as the bridge gangs, and from enquiries made, he had learnt tha’t the policy laid down by the Board would be given effect to by the Minister of Railways. In regard to the West Coast remit urging that the export of while pine be not restricted, the president said that there were many remits in direct negative, and, accordingly he had contented himself .with an attack on remits, particularly from Nelson, Manawatu, and Waikato, which were all to the effect that the export of white pine should not only be restricted, but ' should be prohibited. The remit to that effect would undoubtedly have gone through if the West Coast had not been represented at the conference. He (the president) had succeeded in getting an amendment carried, that the restriction aply only to certain restricted areas in the North Island, which, in his mind, was quite satisfactory, as, in effect, the West Coast remit was carried. In reply to the West Coast, and other Branches’ representations,' the Railway Department advised that the provisions of drovers’ tickets had been extended to provide that a ticket would be available for a drover in charge of three or more trucks, from one consignor to one or more consignees, at different stations. In response to representations for cheap ammunition for farmers for the destruction of deer, the Minister of Internal Affairs advised that his Department supplied .303 ammunition to farmers at the rate of 10/6 for 100. plus freight, and also pays a bonus on deer skins to those who are endeavouring to make a living from the destruction of the animals. A lengthy discussion took place in committee, on the district organising, and the collection of orders on factories for subscriptions, which had been dishonoured, and it was decided tp make further representations to one of the factories concerned. It was decided, on the motion of Messrs. Carter and Brown, that the Head Office be asked to lay down a definite ruling as to the commencement of tho financial year, and to issue definite instructions to organisers, as to when membership begins. On the motion of Messrs. McKay and Musson, it was decided to commuhi-

cate with the Buller Branch, suggest-

ing that they affiliate with the West™ / Coast, in order to co-ordinate their activities, and that, in the event of the suggestion being adopted, that the annual provincial conference be held alternatively at Greymouth and Westport ’ . The balance sheet, showing a credit of £23/1/6 was adopted, following a discussion in committee.. The Secretary said that although a small balance was shown on the ydar’s working, there was still itbout £lOO owing -from Head Office. I On the motion of the President, a r vote of thanks was passed to the. Grey Electric Powei- Board, for thp use of 'the meeting room, and to, the j Board’s Engineer j (Mr Sinclair Trotter) for placing,.his car. at the dis-' posal of the wives of the, delegates to. the Conferenc'e.- '■■■■ • In a verbal report of the-year’s activities, the President said that to his niind the most important thing was the reorganisation of the province and with a view of co-ordinating the I work, he had visited Karamea, Mokihinui and Buller Valley branches, 1 mainly to make sure that they, would '

be represented at the conference that day, to formulate a common policy. As far as the Bullet Valley was concerned, his mission had not been fruitful, but lie was still ful. Next in importance was tne Group Conference in Christchurch, oi the three Canterbury groups and Westland. This conference had dealt with farm labour and conditions and recommendations had been They had intimated to 'the P ovein ment that the first thing that the farmers were entitled to was a state ment regarding the guaranteed prices, and that any decision regarding wK ing hours and conditions on farm I should be contingent on the B uaran ' | teed price. The co-operation of the I Sheepowners’ Federation and FtuitI growers’ Association were solicited in this matter, and from the three bodlies a committee of five was appointe to meet the Minister, and he, m due course, "would make a public pipnouncement of the result o negotiations which took place. the meantime, it was to remain p - vate. As far as local matters were concerned, they had been successful in amalgamating the whole of the Jnangahua Valley into one branch, and he pointed that out as encouraging for other branches in a similar position. The Teremakau, Inchbonnie, Rotomanu, and Wamihimhi branches would be much better oft formed into two branches, and in his opinion it would make- for a more solid and more influential Union it the branches could be made numeucally stronger. If. the Union was to remain strong, the first essential was to have the branches firmly constituted. He recommended that the smaller branches should discuss amalgamation. and try to bring it about.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. In moving that Mr O’Regan be reelected as President, Mr Clayton said that he thought that Mr O’Regan had done very well during the past yeai, and he now had every thing at his finger tips. He was capable In every way, and they knew that he had the confidence of those at headquaiters. He (Mr Clayton) knew that there were others present who would nil the position quite well, but they wanted someone with experience at the present time. In seconding the motion Mr Ryan said that he considered that Mr O’Regan was the right man in the right place. , There were no further nopunations and. Mr O’Regan was declared re--elected, unopposed. Mr O'Regan said that he wished to thank the delegates for ’the confidence they had shown in him, particularly as he had embarked on adventurous ground during, the year, and may have barked some political shins. To some extent, he considered, his re-election was a vote of confidence in the attitude that he had taken up. It was very gratifying to him to again be appointed President, but at the same time he considered that the office shotrld rotate, and that he should retire at the end of the ensuing year. He assured the' delegates that, to the best of his ability, he would work along with them for the betterment of the farmers’ conditions, and for the protection of their interests.

GUARANTEED PRICES. In regard to the Primary Products Marketing Act, which implemented the guaranteed prices for dairy produce, he considered that it was entirely vague, and did not put forward adequate consideration for any concessions'that the farmers might be called upon to make. They knew that for one year, the 1936-37 season' they were to get a minimum taken from the average price over the pas| eigjit years or so, but after then tlie price could bo fixed at the discretion of the Minister, under considerations set out ini. the Bill, which were exceedingly vague.' "Apart from that, he did not agree with tl\e philosophy underlying thU Act,' bringing as it did farmers under a protection. If one endca.vouled to protect the great' bulk of the industries, and give them more wealth than they possessed,’ an impossible position was reached. The philosophy underlying the Bill, in his opinion, involved an inherent fallacy. Mr Searle: What alternative' would you suggest? The' President: I am not doing that.

Mr Shannahan: Could it be any worse than tho Government did thp last four years? The President said that whatever Government might be. in power he took up the same attitude concerning the farmers’ welfare. He had barked political shins over the Emergency Powers Bill, and he had barked them over the Primary Products Marketing Bill, and although President of the Union, he had opposed the Bill as a farmer. If he had to pander to two interests, he would be in an ambiguous position, and could not accomplish much, but whatever attitude he might adopt, he would endeavour to hear the Union’s opinion, and allow it to hear him, and further, to accept the instructions of the Union, unless he was asked to do something that he considered was ridiculous.

Air Carter: Hear, hear. That is the point that I have been waiting for you to make. The election for the other official positions resulted as follow: —VicePresident, Air .1. Ryan (re-elected); Treasurer, Mr A. McDonnell (reelected); Auditpri Mr H. G. Carter (i e-pie'eted); General Committee, Messrs Brown, McKay, Shannahan, Jcllie, Clayton, Norton, Fisher, Carter, paird, Delaney, McMahon, Yde, Jennings, Moulding, and representatives from Kpkatahi and Maruia, to be appointed by the branches in those districts; Emergency Committee, Messrs Shannafian, Fisher, Carter, Clayton, President and Vice-President; Delegate to Chamber of Commerce, AJt WNorton (re-elected); Secretary, Mr J. iWulcarc (’■re-elected),; Delegate to Dominion Conference, Mr J. Ryan, or in the event of his being unable to accept, Mr W. Fisher.

It was decided that the secretary’s salary be increased from £25 to £5O per annum.

REMITS.

The following rejnits were dealt with: — ‘ From Karamea Branch: That it be a recommendation to the Government that in framing their Guaranteed Price Plan, they should do so in such a way that factories which have considerable expense in sending their butter to the grading stores should not be penalised. In formally moving the adoption of the remit, Mr Musson said that his branch felt that they were endeavduring to assist factories isolated I’rqm grading stprps. • \ ’ .

In their’ case it post £2/12/6 to send their butter ’ to the “ grading store, and if they had to meet increased wages, in addition to the grading

charge, it was going to be a hardship j oil such factories. ■ The motion was seconded by Mi , Clayton, who said that he considered ( it Very reasonable, and worthy of the j support of the conference. . 1 Mr' McKay: What is the underlying nwttve of the remit. Does It imply , that those factories would be in h worse position under the guaranteed prices than selling f.0.b.? We want to be careful sending these remits ioiward. We want to be sure that theie : ife some foundation for them. Mr Musson said that the object ol the remit was that factories at a distance from the grading stores should be able to sell their butter at the same price as those close to the stores*' Mr Carter said that he supported the remit. He thought that it was reasonable that all factories should be put on the same basis, and it was a point that might be overlooked by the power that be. The President said that under the Primary Products Marketing Act, i the remit was put into effect, the acid test was going to be applied to the farmers’ sympathy. All. such charges would be debited to the dairy account, and the farmers would get the balance. Mr Carter said that he did not agree with the President. The people who were responsible for the Act could initiate anything, and that was one reason why the remit should be brought before them. The remit was carried. From Arahura: That the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Native Affairs be asked to carry out protection work on the Arahura River. Mr Jellie, in moving the adoption of the remit, said" that 12 months ago last February, an enormous flood played havoc with the land in the Arahura Valley, caused breaks in the river banks and washed away the protection works. Representations had been made to the County and the Native Affairs Department'. £9OO had been obtained from the County, and £3OO had been promised by the Native Trustee, but it was so tied up that the County could not avail itself of it. The branch had decided to make further representations, and he (Mr . Jellie) had interviewed the Minister ; of Public Works. At first he was dead against it, but after the position had been explained to him he gave a ' definite promise that if the finance . was available, and the engineers reported favourably, he would do all in his power. . ’ The motion was seconded by Mr McKay, who said that he was sure , that no remit which had come be- . fore them was more deserving of . consideration. The Arahura settlers . had had a very anxious time, and if [ the Union had any prestige with the Minister, its representations would ■ add weight. , Mr Jellie said that temporary repairs had been effected, but the river i was threatening to destroy the whole j, of the valley, which contained ap- . proximately 2500 acres, which at £25 [ per acre represented a value of £62,000, producing £15,000 worth of , pioduce annually. Looking at it from - a national point of view, the valley ■ was well worth protecting. . The -remit was also supported by Messrs Brown and Musson, and was carried. It was decided to make direct representations to the Minister in the matter, and to send a copy of the let- ’ ter to the Dominion Executive. DAIRY PRODUCE. From Inahgahua: That, if the Dairy - Board is to be used to implement the • Government’s Guaranteed Price i Policy, the salaries and expenses of i the Board be paid out of the Con- ; solidated Fund and the levy on dairy • produce be abolished. [ ‘ In moving the adopted of the remit, ; the President said that his branch - considered that if the Dairy Board > was to become an adjunct to a Gov- - ernment Department, then it should [ be paid as any other section of the ; Public Service, but. under the Prim- ; ary Products Marketing Bill, as lie > read it, the Board’s salaries were to - be paid out of the Dairy Account. As j the Board had been reduced to five ; members, and was being retained in an advisory capacity, he thought that [ It was only a fair thing that the members should be paid out of the gen- ; eral taxation, and not from a levy on dairy produce. The motion was seconded by Mr ; Ryan.

Mr McKay: Considering that the guaranteed prices are coining out of the Consolidated Fupd, the remit sounds a pit abortive, does it not?

The President: But they are not. They are coming from the sale of dairy produce.

Mr McKay: Plus what? The President: That remains to be seen.

The motion was carried.

From Inangahua: That it is in the best interests of the farmers of New Zealand to press for proportional representation instead of the present system tor Parliamentary election. The President, in moving, the adoption of the remit, said that it was' not a new thing that was being advocated. Historically, it had been introduced by but it had “been supported by Labour, and then they had both dropped it.' One of the objections to the system was the large number of informal votes that it induced but in places where it was used, the proportion of informal votes was not worse than in New Zealand. Under the present system in New Zealand, of first past the post, a member could be elected without securing the majority of the votes. As an instance, in the last election, the total vote of the Labour Party was just over half, but they secured 55 out of the <BO seats. Under proportional representation, they would have 45, and eight Democrats would have been elected. The minorities in the country were entitled to representation. The farmers in New Zealand numerically were in a minority, and in the future, if the farmers wished to form a political party to foster their own interests, they would not possibly get representatives elected Without proportional representation. In Motueka, Buller and Westland, for instance, the farmers’ votes could be dissipated by judicious splitting. The system advocated in the remit was the only way that farmers could possibly get the representation that they were entitled to. He had moved the remit at tlie branch meeting with the object that the farmers must ultimately enter politics—they could not keep out of them, as it affected their daily bread. Proportional /representation provided the only safeguard for farmers if, and whdn, they decided to embark on a political career of their own, and he was sure that ultimately they would. He was looking forward to an interesting discussion on this matter qt the annual Dominion Conference.

- Mr McKay:' I would not like to do you out of that discussion, so I will second the remit, but why did the

Labour Party drop it? The President: You want to ask the Labour Party that, but no machine politician likes proportional iepresentation, as through it you get the independent man into Parliament. Mr Carter: There is no such thing as an independent in politics. The President said that the reason why proportional representation was dropped in New Zealand was tha there were three parties in the held, and the National and Labour Parties both reasoned it out that the better lilt’ votes were split, the bettei it would be for them, bat the powers that were reckoned the wrong way. Mr Carter said that under the present system where politicians had to obey the crack of the whip, politics did not cut much ice with him, but the- day was coming when it would be got over by an organisation of men and women outside of Parliament. The remit was carried on the voices. • , , From Wainihinihi: That a telephone be installed at the Otira railway station so that direct communication can lie made from any Post Office. Mr Yde said that it was most inconvenient for farmers on the Otira Line having no connection between the Otira Post Office and railway station. and it was only a matter of a couple of chains. Under the present system it was impossible to make direct phone enquiries from the station. The remit was seconded by Mr Ryan, who said that the same trouble had been experienced at Rotomanu, and was carried. From Wainihinihi: That cattle stops be put in, and railway fences be repaired or new ones built on the railway line between Jacksons and Otira.

In-moving the adoption of the remit Mr Yde said that some of the fences were falling down, and farmers had been put to considerable trouble with cattle wandering .on to the line. Similarly, in places there were no cattle stops and again the cattle got on to the line. The motion was seconded by Mr Carter and carried. From Mokihinui: That the Government be asked to provide a veterinary surgeon resident on the West Coast, and from Ngahere: That when making a future appointment of stock inspector for the West Coast, the Government fill the post by appointing a qualified veterinary surgeon. Mr Carter said that this was a big district, and there seemed to be a general feeling among farmers that they would like to have a veterinary here. Mr Jennings said that he had discovered that veterinaries had to go to Australia to take their examinations, and that there were very few available in New Zealand. Mr Fisher said that the Department had informed his branch that there were three qualified veterinaries in Christchurch, and with the event of the rail car, the West Coast would not be hampered any more than other parts of Canterbury. Mr Goulding said that a veterinary was required in the district to inspect stock for disease, a dairyman’s point of view. He thought that the Government should supply a qualified veterinary for the district. Mr Lloyd said that to his mind it was unfair that young dairymen could not get advice regarding their stock. Often it meant a heavy loss, and personally he thought that farmers would be prepared to pay a levy to obtain a veterinary for the district . Mr Carter said that he thought a veterinary was essential, in view ot the amount of disease amongst stock, which was taking a heavy toll in New Zealand. The remit was carried. From Rotomanu: That the Railway Department be requested to provide Steam-heated carriages on market day during the winter months, on the Otira line. In moving the adoption of the remit Mr Ryan said that the ( train which left Otira at 6.45 a.m., took three hours to cover the journey to Greymouth, and on Wednesdays, which were market (lays, women and children had to sjt for that long period in carriages which resembled freezing chamber’s. The remit was seconded by Mr Jellie and carried.

MR POLSON AND POLITICS

From Rotomanu: That the branch take exception to the President of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, with regard to party politics in Union affairs.

Mr Ryan said that his branch was divided on the remit, but his instructions had been to bring' it up. The delegates undoubtedly had seen the reports when the Manawatu Uniop had dissociated itself from Mr Polson’s goings-on, and he (Mr Ryan) did not wish to say any more, other than to formally move the adoption of the remit.

The motion was seconded by Mr Brown.

Mr Delaney said that he supported the remit. He considered that the more politics were kept out, the better it would be for the Union. The President said that' at the last Dominion Conference, Mr Polson had rpfused nomination for the Presidency up to the close of the first day, but. overnight the Vice-Presidents appi cached him and he consented to nomination for one year only, and, as he had already publicly stated, he was not seeking re-election this year. In supporting the remit, Mr Carter said that it appeared that Mr Polson had got a little out of step with Union affairs. They knew that he was very involved with discussion on the Primary Products Marketing Bill, and monetary reform. It had been given out from the Union that members should refrain from politics in the meantime' and he (Mr Carter) thought that it was wrong for Mr Polson to boost the Opposition. “1 rCcogni.se him as an able man,” said Mr Carter, ‘‘but in the meantime, beseems to have got out of step with the Union, and is purely and simply a politician.

Mr Searle: I feel that Air Polson is making statements which have not the backing of the whole of the farmers of New Zealand to-day.

Mr Shannahan.: I always understood that the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was non-political and I think Air Polson is entirely out of place. If he wanted to do what he has done, and say what he has said, then he should have got out of the Union. The motion was carried, without dissent.

From Teremakau: That the Railway Department be asked to erect a stock loading bank and. yards at Kumara station: The remit was moved by Mr Lloyd .who said that the absence of loading facilities at Kumara meant a great deal of extra expense to farmers in the district, and he considered that if yards were erected, there would be a lot of stock go through there. In seconding the remit, Mr Jellie said that the present loading bank could easily be adapted for stock,

but a yard ijnd race was required. The remit was carried. From Grey Valley: That the ques-; tion of half rates for - half truck loads of all classes of live stock on railways be again taken up with the Department. (Note: This is at present being vigorously pressed by the North and South Canterbury Executives). Mr. Clayton, moving the adoption ot the remit, said that it was something that the Union had been trying to get for a long time. The Railway Department were prepared to carry hall trucks of other types of freight, and he considered that stock should be brought under the same conditions The remit was seconded by Mr. Lloyd. The President said that the same matter had been taken up by the Dominion Executive, but their representations had not been successful, in fact, they had met with a direct negative. The Department seemed to fear that if it relaxed at all there would be a tremendous number of half loads. From Ngahere: <Hiat this Conference support the Grey County Council in its endeavour to construct the Nancy Road. In moving the adoption of the remit, Mr. Fisher said that the proposed new road would couple up the Lewis Pa§s road, which was nearing completion, down through the Nancy to' Kopara, and thus on through the existing system to Kumara. There was only 12 miles of road to complete, and it would give access to a number of settlers. In his opinion it would be of great national benefit. Mr. Carter, who seconded the remit, said that the road presented no great engineering difficulties, and it would not be a very expensive matter to construct it. No doubt it would be of. tremendous benefit to tourists, as welli as the people on the West Coast. The remit was adopted. From Hari Hari: That, in order to make immigrant farm labour practicable, in view of standard wages being applicable to immigrants, the probationary period should be put through at some Government institution. The mover of the remit, Mr. Searle, said that it was the outcome of a discussion by his Branch on a circular received regarding farm labour, which suggested immigration, and a probationary period before standard rates of wages were paid. His Branch had thought that if the scheme did materialise, rather than putting them on farms for the probationary period, the immigrants should put in their probation in a Government institution and come to the farmers fully qualified. The remit was seconded by Mr. J. J. McKay. Mr. Carter said that if it was necessary to have immigration, then the provision suggested in the remit seemed alright, but he was of the opinion that the Government’s policy of assisting the farmer would place him in a better position, to pay better wages and attract workers to farms. The President said that the circular referred to by Mr. Searle had been sent out by Head Office. , They had been assured that there was an acute shortage of labour for farms in the Auckland district. Mr. McKay said that he had been assured that there was also a shortage in Southland. The remit was adopted. From Hari Hari: That the Government be urged to consolidate motor vehicle taxation in one way—say benzine. In moving the adoption of the remit Mr. McKay said that at the Branch meeting, the mover had been desirous of giving some backing to the Minister of Transport, who had expressed himself as greatly ip favour of the consolidation of motor taxation, so that it would cover road users more equitably. The remit was seconded by Mr. Searle. Mr. Brown: At least one saving would be effected in administrative costs. The President suggested that jlifficyjties might arise in the allocation of one tax. At the present time cer-

tain kinds of motor taxation was paid direct io local bodies, and if all taxation was collected on petrol there would have to be a re-allocation. The remit was adopted. MR. POLSON AGAIN. From Wataroa: That no member of Parliament be deemed eligible for the position of Dominion President of the Farmers’ Union.

Mr. Brown, moving the adoption of the remit, said that he was definitely of the opinion that no man could fill the two positions referred to at one and the same time. It was quite impossible for any Member of Parliament with his obligations to his Party, to carry out his obligation to such a

large and non-political organisation as the Farmers’ Union. He (Mr. Brown) was not making a personal attack on Mr. Polson, in fact, he was a Capable leader of the Farmers’ Union, but as a Membefof Parliament, he had not a free hand. No Member of Parliament had much independence.' Some might style themselves Independents, but they did not remain independent very long. It was impossible for a man to play a lone hand for any length of time. Any Member of Parliament was restricted too much to carry out the work as he should for the Union. Rightly or wrongly, many farmers were of the opinion that an attempt was being made to throw the whole weight of the Farmers’ Union in behind one political party, which was not desirable. The Union was evolved as a non-political organisation, and he thought that most farmers wished it to remain so. He thought that the President occupying his present dual position was keeping many farmers out of the Union. It had been stated by Mr. Polson that he was not seeking re-election to the Presidency, this year, but they could not take too much notice of that, and even if he did not, the Wataroa Branch wished the remit to go forward as an expression of the opinion of the Union, and as a guidance for the future.

The remit was seconded by Mr. McKay who said that he had distinct recollections of being told, in Wellington, that the Farmers* Union was nonpolitical, insomuch that it should be able to approach, without taint, whatever form of Government might be in power. For the Union or its leader to attempt to act in a political way as today must re-act adversely on the Union. The remit was adopted.

The President said that there was another matter arising put of the remit. A notice of motion to amend the rules had been given to the Dominion Executive by Hori. F. Waite M.L.C., to the effect that the number of the Executive could be increased, to make provision for the retention on the Executive, presumably for life, of a retiring president, who had rendered valuable service, provided that the number of appointees at any one time did not exceed one. It was quite clear that the amendment was framed for Air. Polson. At the Canterbury-West-land Group meeting the opinion seemed to be that it was the thin edge of the wedge, and that next year, the provision would be enlarged, and the Executive ultimately loaded with ap-

pointees. His personal view was that the notice of motion was not wise, for the reason that it was very difficult for a mqn to serve two masters. At times it was necessary for Executive business to be taken in committee, and if there was a man on the Executive -who was a member of any political party, it was entirely undesirable. However, if he had been in Mr. Poison’s boots he would have lashed out with both hands at some of the criticisms he had been subjected to, particularly those by Mr. Lee Martin. The Dominion President had a most difficult job to hold down. In the North there were Conservatives, and in the South they were *wedded to monetary reform, and it was hard to reconcile both points of view. Before long the Labour Party, as other parites, would be glad Jo have someone to pull the teeth of the monetary reformers. Any Dominion President, if he was a man of integrity of purposp,-was going to run foul oi some members of his- organisation, lie (the President) thought that the rank, and file did not realise what a job the Dominion President had to reconcile the conflicting elements in the Union. Mr. Carter said that he agreed that the amendment would be dangerous. The Executive might be loaded with men who were living in the past. A lot of wrangling took place overnight, before the last election of Dominion President, and it was to keep the other element out tliat Air. Polson was brought back. If the amendment was put into operation, a place was going to be made for'a jot of men with conservative ideas, which, in his opinion, would come into conflict with the Union in the future.

Mr. Norton suggested that the notice of motion might be amended to make provision for the retiring president to be made a life member of the Union.

Air. Mulcare said that he thought the rule should be brought in line with the Provincial procedure, where the retiring President was a member of the Executive, ex-officio, for one year only. His advice would then be available to the new President. The retir-

iug President ws>uld be made a life member of the Union in any case.

The President'said that he thought I the Provincial rule was reasonable, and necessary for the Dominion Executive. The retiring President had a ■.knowledge of the business which the I’new President could not be expected to obtain overnight.

] Mr. Carter moved that it beam inI struction to the delegate tp the Domini ion Conference to reject’ the notice of ■motion, and urge thattlie Dominion : Executive conform to the provincial : system of having the retiring presi'dent an ex-officio member of the Execui live, for one year.

The motion was seconded by Air. Norf on and carried. I On the molion of Alessrs Musson and I AlcKay it was decided that represen- ■ tations Io be made to the responsible j authoril ies ' to have the'stock inspector:; notify the Union Branch secre- ! l tries in advance, when (Jtey Were visitijig each district, in order that those j who required their services could get in l lairh with tliern. ! Il was decided that letters of appreciation be sent to Messrs Langford, McKenzie and Robinson (Railway Business agents), Air. C. A. Legg (stationmaster at Greymouth), and to the various branches of the Uhion and Women’s Division in Southland and Otago, for their, services an'd kind- ! nesses in connection with the recent I Farmers’ Excursion. - / i Mr. Norton said that whilst visiting Southland, the farmers had been asked Ito give their support to the proposed ! road from Makaroa over the Haast ' Pass, and he moved in that direction. 1 Air. AlcKay said that at the present time there was a conflict of routes, 'and he understood that the Alihister of Public AVorks favoured the Hollyford route against that over the Haast. 1 Until that was thrashed out, he thought that the Union .should .not 1 take any action. The discussion lapsed without a motion. a Air. Carter expressed pressure at the number of new members present at .the conference, and the proceedings ended at 5.55 p.m. *