FARMERS’ UNION

Grey River Argus, 13 June 1936, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION

PROVINCIAL MEETING Mr. O’Regan Re-elected President ALL REMITS ADOPTED. .Mr. P. J. O’llegaii (I’resident, Intiiigahua) occupied the chair at the opening of the Provincial Conference of the West Coast Farmers’ Union hold, in the Power Board’s room's yesterday.

The following delegates were present:— Messrs N. H. Brown (Wataroa). W. Searle, junr., and J. J. ALcKay (Ilari llari), J. Baird, J. Ryan (VieeI’resident (Rotoinanit), M. E. Goulding (Mokih'.ntii), F. Delaney. A. W. Bell (1 nangahua), N. AL-Mahon (Cronadun), W. Fisher, H._ G. Carter (Ngnhere) T.

E. Jenn’.ngs, F. Alusson (Karamea), W. .1. Thomas, V. T. Lloyd, 11. Beckett (Ta raimikau) D. Shannahan, W. Norton, (Greymouth), W. Clayton. J. Teasdale (Grey Valley), S. Ydo (Wainihinihi) and .1. Alulcare (Secretary). The president introduced his Worship Hie ALayor (Air. W. Aleldrum) whom he asked to open the eonferem-e. The Mayor expressed pleasur,. at the invitation to open the conference. He rcm.-uked that lie spoke with some little knowledge of farming and he knew the problems thc> I'nrmer had io fa.-e and the work they had to do. They represented the greatest industry -in the, country. The farming industry was more subject to variation than any otticr industry as it had to depend upon the- overseas markets and depressions in other parts of the world. The present Government in New Zealand had been elected by a very large majority. There could he little doubt that Ihe .farmers’ vote gave the Gov'ernment its very big m/njority, be cause the farmers wished to give them a chance to implement their policy and introduce (timrant-eed Prices. If the Government had the help of all it would bo highly successful in its undertaking. The Alayor commented on the fact that 75 per c'mt of the farmers oil the West C'oast were memberof branches of the Union. That fact gave support to their work at the con-feia-nce. He wished them success and welcomed them to G reymotit li as members of the conference. (Applause). The Alayor was thanked for his spoech and retired from the meeting. Prior to the commencement of business, the president made refernee to the death of a well known member of previous conferences Air. A. Dalziel <>! Nelson ('reek. lie pa'd a tribute to 'he work- of the d"eeased member ami n yoie of condolence to the reiafivewas carried, all members standing in silence. C’onsidernbl,, discussion on th? result <>f the remits carried at last annual conference ensued. Hie president explaining the ultimate outcome. The president said that the question of organising was most important. Th‘‘re were now more members than ever due to the work of Mr. Watts the organiser. J.t was vital to the future progress of the union, to deal with the matter in order to hold the ground thev had gained. The method ot the collection of subscriptions was highly important. The secretary said that some branches needed an organiser. As .tar as some were concerned they required 15 financial members to lie legally constituted. He advocated ain'tlgamat'.on of some branches Io eliminate work on Ihe pail of ‘.he Provincial Executive. Air. Carter agreed that there waneed of better organ'sing. When thev talked of keeping things up-tb-date thev should seriously consider the necessitv of organising along proper linos.

A long discussion in committee ensued. the question at issue being the dishonouring of orders given on dairy factories.

Air. Carter moved that Head Office he, asked for a definite ruling as to the beginning of the financial year and to g’vd definite instructions to their organisers as to the date when membership begins, '[’he mover said tha' If subscriptions were being received towards the end of the year and deductions were imide, it would be difficult to handle Afr. Brown seconded the motion which was adopted. The question of the preference of orders for payment of subscript ions instead of cash collections resulted in a long debate, the views of members being at variance. No motion on the subject was presented to thu meeting.

Air. AlcKav moved that in the event of Westport affiliating with the West ■Coast Provincial Union, an offer to hold annual meetings alternately at Westport and Greymouth he made.

Air. Alusson seconded the motion

The president supported the motion stating that it was essential for members to discuss problems with one another, and his opinion was that annual visits to West port would be most henefieiifil.

On 'the motion of tlie President, a lieartv vote of thanks was accorded ”-e Grey Electric Power Board for :he use of its room, and fo Mr Sinclair Trotter for -placing his car at the disposal ’of wives of delegates. The balance sheet, showing a cred’t balance of £23 Is fid, was adopted. Tt wa s explained that there was a large balance due to the Provinces! Executive TTi respect" of amounts duo from head office. The discussion on the balance sheet referred again to pay moults bv orders or by cash.

PRESHJSNT’S ANNUAL REPORT.

Tn n verbal report on the year’s activities, the President said it had been the,most’ important year of the province. He 'had visited Karamea and SeddonvillCj with a view to having Karamea, Mokihinui and Westport branches represented at the annual meeting. As far as his visit to ;hei Buller Valley was concerned, it had not been as successful as he would have wished. At the Group Conference in Chrildtchurclh they had received ami dealt with the ‘ proposals of (lie Minister of Labour (Hon. IT. T. Armstrong). What was received was a statemen. 1 of the guaranteed price and the conditions and hours of work on farms contingent upon the guaranteed! price paid. The New Zealand Executive had appointed a committee .to dipl with Mr Armstrong, together; witlh representatives of the She.epfarmors and Fruitgrowers Associations. He (Mr O’Regan) had been nominated, but declined as he had no', the time. The Minister would in due l course make an announcement on the negotiations, hut he (Mr O’Regan) would not be justified in disclosing

what lie though: would bo the outcome. Members of the Executive had no knowledge of the contents of the

report, ami it was the ALni'ster’s request thu: thev should not be made public. Th /whole of the I mingahim Vailt'v was now one bramh, and he trusted that amalgamations would be extended to other small brane-hes. Differences could then be eliminated, and the Un-'on could then become more solid end influential. The branches <-mld stage debates at meetings, and iherebv ma.rnta'n interest. Bui. firm of all', they requ'red branches with a least 20 to 30 members, find he t’i -.-ommended to the smaller lirtinches that they :hotbd nimilgfimate Mi 1 O'Regan then vacated the chair, atid the .secretary called fo>- nominations. PRESIDENT RE-ELECTED. Air W. C'iayton (Grey Valley) numinated Mr O 'Regan, paying a .ribuie to Ins work during the past .year. They required an experienced man as P reside nt., and Mr O’Regan had all the qmiliiiea Lions uecessarv. Mr J. Rvan (Rotomanu) seconded flie. nomination, and moved that nominations close. This wa-- seconded b.) Air A. W. Bell and earrted. Mr O Regan wtis then declared elec.l’d. mid returned thanks.

la doing so, he said that it was a vote of i-onlidenee in the attitude he Imd taken up on certain contentions matters. He fissured them that lie .v.oiilil work for the betterment ami protection of farming interests. He would offer an apology if be _ had fallen foul of anv members. With a full sense of responsibility, he said that Jhe Frimary Products Alarketing Bill w:u extremely yjjgue. The only guarantee was for the 1936-37 season. 'Flint -was one season only, ami after that the pr'ee_eould be fixed by the Minister at whatever he liked. The Bill guaranteed nothing afiter the 1'136-,37 season, except to give discret’oti to the AFnister to do what ne 'iked. lie looked'upo n the Bill with suspicion. A protected, industry received more of the n:i ‘ional wealth than it produced, ami if every induMi) were to be protected, the effect would be the same. That would be tmposs'ble. The philosophy underlying the Bill was’ evolved ou an interest fallacy.

Air Searle: AT'hat alternative do vou suggest? _ Air Shannahan-. It will be better than what the other Government did for vearsl The President; T barked shins when I opposed the Emergency Powers Aet of the UnitetT-cum-Reform Party, ami now the same thing has happened, with the other panry, because I look upon everything from the farmer s point of view. If I were the President .and a member of life Dominion Executive, I might be placed in an ambiguous position, but I -/buld do mj bes/r. The new legislation might benefit the farmer, and it might not. That is only my personal view. I shall, so ftu as' it does not' make me ridiculous, support anything I am reauested to do. ~ Air Carter: Hear! Hear! Tha-t s whnt we’ve been waiting to hoar from vou. The following addi'Honal officers were re-elected: —

Vice-President: Mr J. Rvan (Roioinanu). Treasurer: Air A. McDonnell. Delegate N.Z. Conference: Air J. Rvan. 'Substitute: Air AV. Fisher. ’Emergency Committee: President. V-ee-Pres’dent, ATessrs W. Clayton, D. Shannahan, W. Fisher, TL G. Caiter.

Delegate to Chamber of Commerce: ATr AV. Norton. Secretary; Air J. ATulcaro (NgaImre). General Committee; ATessr.s N. H. Brown, J. J. Ale Kay. J. Raitd, D. Shannahan. D. .Tollie. F. Delaney, W. Plavton. W. Norton, N. McMahon, W. Fisl-or. TT. G. Carter T. E. .Lonnings. M. E. Goulding. S. Yde. ATarnia and Kokatahi branches to select their delegates.

Auditor; Mr H. G. Carter. . T 0 was dee’ded. on' the motion of Messrs Brown and Ohayion. that the secretnrv\ salary be £5O per annum, an amendment that £35 be paid finding no seconder.

GUARANTEED PRICES. ATr Alnsson moved, on behalf of the Karamea branch', "That it bo 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 ip sending thei’r bullet’ to the grading stores should not bo penalised.” He said that it cost farmers' in h ; s district £2 12s' fid ner ton to get their butter to the grading store. The

remit would assist farmers in other districts and outlying areas. Air Ciavten seconded the remit, which he considered 'was reasonable. Afr AfeKay wished t-o know what was underlying ithe remit. Did it imply that factories would be in a worse position under Guaranteed Prices? They wanted to be sure there was foundation for the remit. The mover xa’d fhat the idea was that butter should be purchased at the factory door instead of f.0.b., Or that some subsidy should be allowed lor carting to the grading store.

Ain Carter said that tho matter should be brought tw the notice of the Government. previously all sorts ol cut-Ihrc:iii methods were in vogue, but tfmt was (-hanged now. The remit 1 was carried. An Inangahua bn-mcli remit, ‘‘That if the Dairy Board is to be used to implement the Government, s Guaranteed Price policy, the salaries and expenses of the Board be pard out of the Consolidated Fund, and the levy on d-'iiry products be abolished,” was moved by the President, ’who said the remit spoke for itself. II the Daily Board’s advice wtis worth anything, it should he paid out ol general taxation, and not from the proceeds °i farm produce. Air AfeKay said th.at ns Guaranteed Prices were coming out of the Consolidated Fund, he considered the remi/t aboi'f:ve. 'Ph? remit was carried.

On behalf of the Ar.-thua branch. Air D. Jellie moved “That the Alinis.er of Public Works and the Alinister of Native Attains be disked to carry out protection work on the Araliura R-.ver. ’’ lie said 'that representat.i'ons had been made to the (’oun.'v Council, who had spent £9OO on the Native Trustee Imd promised £3OO 'under conditions wlreh made ifs ‘acceptance impossible.

Air AH-Kav seconded the ifin L am: W<t, s supported by Messrs Alusson and Brown. The remit was adopted, the mat.'er to lie brought dirci't to the no tiee of tlhe AHnisters concerned. The ’Jj-es’dent, on behalf of the Inangahua branch, moved ‘ ‘That it i--in the best interests of the li-irmers of New Zealand to press for proportional representation instead of the present system for Parliamentary electron.” He detailed what was intended by the remr', which did not introduce any “new fangled idea.” He believed 'ilvut sooner or later, the Farmers’ Union would have to go into politics, for they eould not keep out whether they liked it or- not. Seeend-ing the remit, Air Ale Kay said he would not 1/ke Ito beat the President out of an interesting discussion, but lie would like to know why the Labour Party dropped proportional representation. The Piesldent; Y’ou want to ask the Labour Party that! No machine poli-ti'cianfl liked it, and it does no. like Ihe independents. Mr Carter; 'L’here is no independence in politics. The President: Yes. Alessrs Rttsiiwortli, Sexton. Polson and Atmore are independents. The remit was carried on the voices.

The following remits from the Wai nihinihi branch -were adopted: (a) ‘‘That a telephone be installed, at the Otira railway station so that direct communication can bo made from any Post Office.” (b) ‘‘That calttlc stops be put- 'in and railway fences repaired or new ones built, on the railway line between Jae-kson-.’s and Otira.”

The following remits were dealt, with together:—Alokihinui: "That 'the Government be asked to provide a veterinary surgeon resident on the AVest Const.” Ngialierc: "That .when making ti future appointment of Stock Inspector for the AA T e.st Coast, the Government fill the pos.' by appoint inr_a ouakficd veterinary surgeon.” 51r Cailter said theu’e was a general feeling that a qualified veterinary surgeon was necessary on the AVest Coast. Air Fisher said thatl three qualified men wero shortly fo be appointed in Canterbury, and bigger districts than the Coast could not support a veterinary surgeon. The only way was to form an association and get a man in come bven periodically. Air Lloyd seconded the remit, which was supported by ATessrs Brown and Colliding and' carried. Air Clayton moved,'' on behalf of (lie Grey ATalley branch, ‘"That, the questions of half rates for half truck loads of all classes of live slock on railways be again taken up with the Department.’’ The President said that the Department seemed to think that if they relaxed they would have too many hal trucks. The remit was adopted.

Air Lloyd (Taramakau) moved, "That t/he Railway Depailrment be

asked to erecj a stock loading bank at Kunmra station.’’ Air .Tellie seconded the remit, widen was adopted. On behalf of Ngahere branch, Air Fisher moved, "That, this Conference support the Grey County Council in its.endeavour to construct the Nancy Road.” He said the Nancy Road would provide a connecting link to the Lewis Pass Road through from KoparaIt was a matter of only 12 miles, and (would open up much country. Air Carter seconded the remit, and said the road presented no great engineering difficulties. It would be a beneficial work for the Public AVorks Department. The remit was adopted. Air Ale Kay moved the following HaiUihari branch remit; "That the Government be urged to consolidaa*. motor vehicle taxation in one way say, on benzine.” The remit was to give support to Hon. R. Semple, who desired io consolidate motor taxationAir Searle seconded the remit, which was carried. Mr *’Kyan _ moved, on behalf of the Rotomanu branch; "That the Railway Department be rcquested_to pro vide steam heatbd carr'agcs oh market dav during thr winiter months on the Otira, linef” The remit was seconded by Air Fisher and carried.