FARMERS’ UNION

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 September 1944, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION

WEST COAST EXECUTIVE. .

The W,est Coast Provincial Executive of .the Farmers’ Union met at, 'Greymouth on Saturday afternoon, being confronted by a large agenda. Mr. W. Searle’ (Hari Hari) presided, also present being Messrs R. Beckett, H. G. Carter, W. ,Clayton, .C. Marshall, W. Fishier, D. B. Jellie, E. Armstrong, W. Vallance, A. E. Griffin and the Secretary (Mr. J. Mulcare). It was reported that West Coast remits to the Dominion Conference had been dealt with as follows: — That the means test, confining (he family benefit to those drawing salaries under £5 weekly, be abolished and the benefit made available to all mothers as a natural right.—Carried. That the value of the labour of farmers’ wives on the farm be deductible for income tax purposes.—Carried. That tiinber royalties be spent in the district from which they are taken. — Carried. That the Government be asked to extend the railway from Ross to South Westland.—Referred to the Dominion. Executive, where no support was forthcoming. That the Government be asked to provide a veterinary surgeon to visit the West Coast three or four times annually. —Referred to Head Office. That lime and fertilisers be made readily available to primary producers and a subsidy on the manufacture or cartage of lime. —Withdrawn.in favour of other resolutions expressing a similar intention. That women in farming districts be admitted to Union membership upon equal status with men. — Withdrawn pending the amalgamation of farmers’ organisations. That support be given to the Kokatahi-Koi-terangi branch in its resolution on the price of butter-fat.—lncorporated with other resolutions, the conference endorsing the resolution of the Dairy Board in favour of a minimum of 2d a lb. That the matter of a free railage point for superphosphate on the West Coast be again taken up.—Head Office to give every assistance in the matter, which was considered a local one. It.was decided that the Head Office be asked to help in representations for a free railage point for fertiliser on the Coast. Mr. Mulcare said an assurance had been given that the maintenance of railway fences was a Government responsibility, and the names of farmers who had complaints about inattention were requested. The Chairman reported that the National Executive had decided to establish a Farmers’ Defence Fund. It was decided to send a letter of good wishes to Mr. F. Musson, who is in hospital. No action was taken on a letter from the Grey District Acclimatisation Society suggesting that the Union might be prepared to subsidise the bounty on hawk destruction. It was decided to join the Westland District Progress League. If was decided that returned men going on farms be admitted to free membership for one year. It was resolved to communicate with the Westland County Council and the District Engineer of Railways urging attention to erosion on the far side of the Arahura bridge. Consideration was given branch remits as follows, all being carried:— Maruia branch: That the Minister of Marketing be requested to pay the lull amount for farm produce. That the subsidy for crops for pig feed is unsatisfactory to West Coast farmers, a straight out subsidy per lb of pig meat being preferable luchbonnie branch: That the Government be asked to investigate a scheme for turning refuse into manure. That some effort be made to provide a special incentive lor members to remain in the organisation. lhat ‘the weight of fertiliser bags be 16 instead of 12 to the ton.