FARMERS' UNION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 15 April 1922, Page 6

FARMERS' UNION.

PJKOVINCIAL EXECUTIVE ' MEETING, .

The monthly meeting of the I&ranaki JSxeeutive of the Farmers' Union was j JieJd on Thursday. Present: Messrs ■ .Dunn, president (.in the chair), Buck-! ■eridge, Maxwell, F. Mills, Cleaver,' 4swindiehurst, Orr, Allen, Barrow, and ±*ierce. I Tiie Minister -of Industries wrote! stating that the executive's resolution I an regard to the grading and branding i of imported benzine was impracticable. It was stated that it would not be pos£Tbie to indicate a true quality in any \ particular line of benzine. —Received. The Taranaki War Relief Association wrote asking the executive to appoint a representative for the ensuing years on the association.—Mr Washer <lnglewood) was reappointed, The Manaia and Pihama branches notified that they wished to avail themielves^ of the pr^ilege of hearing -an address by Giudie, of the Forestry department. A list of rules for the New Zealand JTarmers' Union rifle competition was received. TBe secretary * said it was ~ not permissable for farmers now t» Jget up a team. Mr Mills: Before being able to compete the members of the union would have to belong to a Rifle Club. _ It was decided to write to the Domin-

ion^ secretary on the matter. The Prime Minister wrote stating that the question of whether the loss in one branch of a farmer's business Jnay be used to set off profits in another was about to be determined by the Supreme Court. When a decision had i>een given he would give the matter consideration.

JDiscussing the composition of the ■ Hoard of Control for the Meat Pool, the president said he was quite against district o»presenaation on the Board . ( *n the ground that the most popular anan would secure election against the man of ability. There would not be a vacancy in any case for twelve months ' and possibly for two years. With regard to cattle tick, Mr Cleav- ■'" "er said that his branch felt very fitrongly on the matter. Cattle from Waikato were being sent to Taranaki' without any provision being made for dipping, and cattle came to the Wai.fcato from the tick infected areas. It was pointed out that new regula-1 iiions had been issued. Mr Mills thought the regulations defective in that they did not sufficiently «over horses. Provision was made for the cancellation of a certificate'in reto a horse after the tick had been discovered on it, but by that iame much harm may be done. Mr Cleaver said he hai discussed the anatter with a man from Queensland, who had given him- to understand that in-view of the serious evils following 4he introduction of the tick, every precaution should be taken. It was decided, on the motion of Mr Mills, to apply for a copy of the regulations. With regard to cattle coming from Waikato, Mr. Mills said that no cattle ~ • would get into the Waikato district ■from an infected area without being sabject to the regiilations. Mr. Pierce said that with the outbreak of tick in Queensland, horses, «attle and dogs had to be dipped - in . -all cases before leaving an-infected district.

It was pointed out that while the "fever, which had done so much harm in Queensland, had not accompanied the tick in the Dominion, there was always a possibility that if they had ,the tick they would have the fever also. On the motion of Messrs Cleaver and Barrow it was resolved: "That while -recognising the sincerity of the Department in its efforts to control the cattle tick, this executive is-'of the opinion -that the regulations do not appear to lie sufficient to deal with the position effectively, in particular.as to the travelling "of horses., and possibly dogs, from an infected area. In view of the fact that the tick has spread in recent years we believe that everything .humanly possible should be done to prevent its further spread." The president thought they should pass a resolution opposing the suggestion that the Government offer a mini- / mum price for wheat next year. Mr- Mills: The Minister has already indicated that he is not favourable to a minimum price. The following remits were received from^.the Auroa branch: "That the Government be asked to allow farmers to deduct the amount paid in land tax from income returns; that in the event of a new valuation taking place, all counties in any hospital district be valuted at the same time; that it is not Jn the interests of the Dominion that "public servants should affiliate with the Alliance of Labour; that when cases comeJbef ore the Arbitration Court the third party be allowed representation.'s —Received, and to be dealt with at the conference. It was stated that the annual conference of the Taranaki branches would lie1 held at Eltham on May 18. A committee consisting of Messrs Buckeridge, Pierce, and Mills was appointed to draw up the agenda paper for the conference. V A resolution adopted by merchants against the anti-dumping law regarding imported fretilisers was placed before the meeting. Mr. Mills: That accounts for the * extra amount added to the quotations for basic slag. It was decided to support the resolution.