FARMERS' INTERESTS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 7 August 1933, Page 6

FARMERS' INTERESTS.

MANAWATU EXECUTIVE OF THE UNION. The monthly meeting of the Manawatu provincial executive of the Farmers' Union was held, on Saturday, in the Whakatane roams, Levin, there being present: Messrs J. A. McLeavey (President), H. J. Richards B. G. Gower, H. Denton, L. 11. Best, L. H. Ballinger, R. C. Bishop, H. Bowling, H. J. McLeavey, C. Jensen, J. Boyce and J. !'• Kent Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. J. Dear and J. Hodson. BASIS OF REPRESENTATION. Some discussion took place on Linton's remit, which had been referred to -the branches, proposing that no member be eligible for a seat on this executive unless he is nominated by the president, secretary and two other members of his branch. Mr Ballinger stated that Linton was now prepared to hear the various branches' opinions, and if necessary to amend the remit. Mr Best was not prepared to second the remit in its original form. He considered that the man going on to the executive should have the backing of the branch. The Shannon branch did not meet last month; and he suggested .that the remit be held over in the meantime. Mr Ballinger explained that the idea contained in tire proposal was to have new men nominated, from the branches if they desired it, as under the existing system the members of the executive were eligible for r-election. Mr Denton urged that more interest be taken in the Union's affairs by the branches, so that they would be impelled to meet for the purpose of making nominations. The Chairman remarked that, where no nomination was received from a branch, the sitting member continued in office. .Mr Bowling said that the Manakau branch had discussed the remit, and it was of opinion that if a member were nominated iby the branch he Bhould ! be accepted, without the executive exercising any power of rejection. Mr Jensen expressed the opinion that the matter was one that should be dealt with by the Dominion executive. He was not in favour of cramming the executive with members. Mr Best said that that was not the intention of the remit. He referred to the necessity of having a sufficiently large executive to assure a good attendance, and instanced the case of Wanganui, where up to twenty-five members was permissable. # After some further discussion, it was resolved that the branches be asked to send in written reports on the question, and that these be referred to the advisory committee, with a request to bring down a digest recommendation. DOMINION CONFERENCE. Reporting on the Dominion conference, the Chairman stated that it was a good conference, but he had found , it difficult to hear what was said, and other delegates had had the same experience. IProposed alterations to the rules affecting the representation had been lost. The opposition to the remit on this subject was strong, because if Auckland had had its way there would be only one representative for the whole of Manawatu; it would have been necessary for there to be another five hundred members before this district eould send the two delegates. The position was that the Auckland territory was not satisfied with its representation; and it certainly did deserve more. The difficulty about the proposal, said Mr Best, was that it would have reduced the representation of the other districts. TOTAL v. PARTIAL DERATING. The question of derating was lengthily discussed at the Conference (the Chairman ,stated), and the acting Prime Minister led the, delegates to believe that not much could be done in this direction. Mr Denton: It is not total derating that they are asking for? Mr Best: It is absolutely total derating that they want. Mr Boyce: It will be a nice ■mess-up if they get it. The 'big land-owners would 'be in favour of it, I suppose. Mr H. J. McLeavey considered that the cost of main arterial highways Kliould be removed from the rate. The (Chairman: 'l'he request for total derating was carried easily. Auck-, land asked for it. 1 suppose they look at it in this way, that if you don't ask for a lot you won't get anything. Mr Jensen: This is what destroys our farmers' organisation —to work for a thing which they know is impossible. In spite of that, they keep en with it. FOOT-AND-tMOUTH DISEASE. The .Chairman stated that the Conference had had before it a remit on foot-and-mouth disease, urging that the embargo and on importations of stock from Britain be strictly maintained. That was carried, and there was only one dissentient voice. Members would have seen in the papers lately that the Governor-General had claimed that the danger had. disappeared in Britain 'The Union had been told, however, by Mr Howard, a veterinarian, that it was not known 'how the infection came into the Old Country; it might be air-borne. Mr Bowling: The Minister of Agriculture made it very plain ,that they would not lift the embargo till the farmers were satisfied about it. BRITISH STOCK MARKET.

The Chairman reported that he had advised the Dominion executive to

subscribe to some good journal from

■ The Chairman: Of whom are you speaking? Mr Kent: Mr Best. The Chairman: You must not. refer to that. Mr Jackson moved the lottery proposal, and it was lost on the voices. No one asked for a show of hands. Mr Best said that 26 delegates spoke on the subject and only two of them were in favour of it. g» - - —* - ■ ' ■ i——a the Old Country dealing with farming matters and giving reports of the livestock and produce .markets there; mid that such information from it as was suitable should be made available to the branches through the medium of the Union's new periodical. RELIEF WAGES. Consideration of a motion of which Mr Kent had given notice was deferred till next meeting. It was as follows: —"That this executive requests the Unemployment Board to increase the wages of unemployed married men with two or more dependents to 12s per day.'' I