FARMERS' UNION.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 231, 12 September 1922, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

MEETING AT TUTIRA. Mr. J, H. Joll, president of the Hawke’s Bay provincial branch of the j-jew Zealand larmers' Union, and Mr. E. C. Clarkson, a member ot the executive, addressed a laige gathering of tanners, gathered at Tutira, on Saturday last, Mr. H. Guthrie Smith in the chair. Mr. Joll, during the whole of his address, was very optimistic. He was satisfied that the prices tor everything we produced were gradually getting back to normal conditions, and was ot opinion that the outlook was never brighter than at present. Pessimism was a thing to be avoided, and anyone indulging in that sort oi thing had lur better walk off his farm. During the course of his remarks, he touched on all of the most important matters dealt with at the Dominion conference, and congratulated the Farmers’ Union on its achievement in getting the Meat Pool brought into existence, pointing out that, although the pool was not compulsory at present, the committee had the power to enforce compulsory pooling, should they consider it advisable. His expressions in regard to mutton were very reassuring. He said that some say the prospects were not good; that tht Argentine, being so much nearer England, they could not hope to compete with that country. He quoted figures to show there was a large shortage of sheep in the Argentine, and also that there was a worldwide shortage. Then again the consumption ot meat was becoming very much greater. “Is it possible for tho meat trade to go bang?” he asked. “No, it is impossible to put us out of action.” He stated that the same remarks applied to wool. In addition to the shortage of sheep the average weight of the fleece in the Argentine was now only Gibs., compared with 81bs. as in the past. The B.A.W.R.A. were holding the wool back and putting it on the sales gradually, thereby stabilizing the market. There was not enough fine wool to last a year. Then again there was no wool produced to compare with the New Zealand crossbred wool. Taking all these facts into consideration, together with the reduction in freight, it was ridiculous to say there was going to be no improvement. As regaids beef, the outlook for this was not too good, but it was not hopeless. The Argentine was able to send chilled beef to England, which was better than frozen. New Zealand beef, however, is the next best to English beef. As soon as the trusts were tired of cutting each others’ throats, and camo to some arrangement between themselves, tho prices would go up. It was already up Jd per lb., and stocks, at the present time, were not too heavy. He was of the opinion that before very long prices would come back. These three things would make one believe that there was nothing to make farmers pessimistic. Referring to the East Coast railway, he stated that neither he nor the union’s delegate was very successful with the remit, sent in by the Tutira branch. As this was a local matter and there wore other remits urging prosecution of various railways, a resolution to the following effect was carried: “That all main railways throughout tho Dominion he pushed on at once.” As Regards telephones, he stated that the Farmers’ Union were most anxious to get telephones to all back blocks, and were urging the Government to provide a cheaper method of telephone construction rates. In reference to .backblock schools, ho mentioned that a resolution was passed at the Dominion conference to tho effect that there should be, in addition to the present schools, a central school in each district, where children, after passing the third standard, could be taught. It was impossible for a teacher to look after a number of standards properly. In speaking about hospital and charitable aid, he emphasized the fact that tho burden of taxation on the was getting too heavy. The 1' armors’ Union were battling to get this tax made a charge on the consolidated fund, and not a tax on the farmer. He was of opinion that everyone should contribute. He mentioned that the farmers’ agricultural banks was one of the platforms of the Farmers’ Union, and if they were brought into existence they would be a boon to farmers. Touching on arbitration awards, he remarked, incidentally, that Mr. R. P. Wilder had been appointed to represent this provincial district at the shearers’ dispute in Wellington next week. Other matters which he touched on were the joint trading scheme (pooling of orders) adopted by the Hawke’s Bay branch, cattle tick and finance. As regards the latter, he mentioned that the Farmers’ Union were doing their level best to obtain more equitable means of raising taxation. At the conclusion of Mr. Joll’s speech, Mr. Clarkson delivered a short address, in which he dealt with the Farmers' Union Fire Insurance Association, of which he was a director. He explained the working of the institution, and he urged every farmer to support it, as by doing so they would save money.

The chairman thanked the visitors for their* 1 addresses. It showed that the Farmers’ Union was alive and was looking after the farmers’ interests. The Tutira branch would be kept alive and would meet regularly. The fields instructor and the orchard instructor had visited them recently and they were now endeavouring to get a telephone bureau established. He moved a vote of thanks to the visitors, which was carried hy acclamation