FARMERS’ UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIX, Issue 13140, 30 May 1903, Page 11

FARMERS’ UNION.

PROVINCIAL C'O-NITEB.'EN'OE. Tie Provincial Cojat'prcnoe of tie Partners’ Union, North Oaritoiiury district, resumed yesterday, at "18-30 o’clock, Mr H. \ S’. Reece (president) hi the chair, and most . c£ the delegates press nt. ' THE WCTORILAN STRIKE, j At the commencem/ art of the, session, Mr R. Rainey (Lincolst) moved—“ That this Conference desires to*]) dace on record its appreciation of the Hcjn, W. H. Irvine’s action in terminating the Pn«t« strike in Victoria, and trusts that the ’ pleasure he has passed will have the gooal, effect of preventing strikes in the future.’* ' Mr Henry seconded; the motion. , Tie chairman saaii that he-thought the motion a proper o»( r. Similar resolutions had been passed by* other, bodies. Several members* objected to the Conference going outssi.lde its business ; on a question which, tbay contended, not affect it. On the-. -'ojchcE.hand, it waa held that [New Zealand was seriously affected by such strikes, , an|di it was a duty to show appreciation of tUei* Premier of Victoria s action. . . . ... The motion wals. put and lost on division. , PREFERBSa® TO UNIONISTS. The report of y.he committee on compul»rv r preference (in' trade unionists was furiher considered, i'tiho chairman reading the notion forwarded,, by the executive, opposng such proposal. Mr Hall (Hondcata) spoke further on the ,'eneral unfairnqsp to fanners and farm Jabouiers of compulsory preference to * tnionists. Mr Jones (Templeton) referred to the efforts now beijag made throughout the world to fight ■ trusts and combines, and went on to say [that he thought compulsory unionism was fche creation of one of the bigrest trusts in the world, and if the trades unions ifealiy realised this they vgould not advhpate it. ■Mr Henry, * Vyhilo favouring the motion wefore the nwdting, deprecated the time Sost in discussing such a motion, as it was ■Snore one for4the Colonial Conference. Mr Harding- -(Ashburton) said he was not Opposed to k-tades unionism, although at ssne time he 3ared-been. He recognised that the time had * come when they would all have to form ‘fast organised militant camps .—master aga’fasfc man and man against master. Bfe. spoke broadly, referring to the colony sya a whole, recognising the inevitable. . Bjut he did not want war, ‘for arbitration Mias the better way. He believed 'in this. Arbitration Act as a whole, but he was ‘strongly opposed'to this compulsory clan se 'being Inserted. One member of" Paaf-ioment had told him that he wanted to * drive .every man into a -union. ' The power. I <}f the Arbitration Court ought not to [be curtailed by Parliament saying who should, 1 or who should not he. employed. ’ ; ; [fhe chairman said, all they asked was that thoy should he allowed the right of employing without discrimination. There could bp .up - possible freedom of contract if compulsory unionism came into force. They did ‘ not want to interfere with the trades urjipns, but they certainly did not think fhar-t compulsory preference to unionists would, be a. good thing for the colony. The motion was then carried. RAILWAY CHARGES. A motepn from the Oxford branch That a, -uniform, charge per ton per mil© be made; -on all farm produce in sacks or ' bales, aaijd on all frozen meat and its byand such a charge to be fixed to place N*etw Zealand farmers (as to railway on a level with their competitors in New; /south Wales and other places,” was moved "by Mr O’Halloran, who spoke on the great disadvantages the Canterbury farmers now laboured under. Air 'Jleadley said it was imperative that the New Zealand fanner should have the cheaper(o and best possible means of transit, to enable him to compete with the other colonifts. Mr; /Hall .said the branches of the Union . ought ; to induce their representatives in Parliament to attend to their wants. That appeared to be their only chance. Mr Lambic said Mr Hall had struck the right'/nail on the head. The only way, it appealed, that they would get reforms was to tab© a. leaf out of the Trades and Labour Councjl’s book, and invite the members of Parliament for the district to com© before them. He noticed that, with one exception, these,.gentlemen had said “Aye” to everythiugi- the Trades and Labour Council asked. Mr Prebble said they wanted to ho careful in what they asked, so that the colony waj? not put in the position of running the railways at a loss. Air C. Reid said there was no competition. against the Government’s railways and charges were now ridiculously high. They ought to compel the Government to reduce thism. Mr Bedford pointed out that the Government had made some reductions of late in the cost of carriage of wool. There were special reasons why more was charged over certain lines at first, owing to the heavy bridges and other works. Mr Willis said the whole thing, in a nutshell, was the Lyttelton tunnel charges. That was where the shoe pinched. Mr P. Acton-Adams referred to the heavy rates and to the work the Chamber of Commerce was doing in the effort to got reductions. , Mr Jones said he was not in sympathy with the motion in its present form. The 'nan near town had special advantages, and this proposal would increase them, to the detriment of the settler further from a market. ’ The chairman said that he was not in lavour of the motion as worded. It proposed to interfere too much with what they ■.pust consider a matter of business. They had a very good Minister of Railways, and they must not try 1 to dictate to him as to vhat rates he must impose. In regard to •cool, it had been said that a 200ib bale iad to pay as much freight as a 4001 b bale. It took up as much space as a 4001 b bale, md they had, therefore, no reason to grumble. Ho was in sympathy with the outlying settler, and he thought some preferential tariff should ba arranged in favour of those who lived a long way from their markets. In reply, Mr O’Halloran said that people living in the back country had extra expenses in the way of roads and bridges. The days of co-operation were upon them. The man who first settled near the town had advantages and concessions which his friends far off had not, and they must, therefore, 00-operate to help one another. They did not wish to dictate to the Railway Department, but they wanted inequalities in the charges levelled down. If members did nob agree with the wording of the motion ho would gladly accept an amendment. Mr W. E. Pannett moved that the question should be referred to the Executive. This motion was seconded by Mr Lambie and carried. A recommendation from Oxford that tho Railway Department should be approached, with a view to getting a single truck at half the price of a double-decked truck,

was introduced by Mr OHalloran, who moved that it should bo accepted. Mr Willis seconded the motion, in order to suggest that the words “ a reduced rate ” should bo substituted for “ half the price of a. double-decked track,” and that a clause should bo added, asking that the trucks should be cleaned. Mr O’Hallorau accepted the suggestion, and the motion, as amended, was carried. SELLING- OF WOOL. The chairman moved, in accordance with no ti c6: —“That tho charges for selling wool should be discussed.” He said that ha and Mr Leadley had gone into the question. They had compared the. rates with those prevailing in Australia. The insurance charges were slightly better in New Zealand than in Australia. The Selling commission was slightly heavier in New Zealand, but he thought that the woolbrokers would readily accept the Australian rate of 1-J. per cent for values over £SOO, 1£ per cent for values between £2OO and £SOO, and. per cent for values under £2OO. ■Mr Lambie seconded the motion, which was carried. Messrs Leadley, M’Millan and the president were appointed to deal with tho matter. CALIFORNIAN THISTLE. Mr Acton-Adams moved, pursuant to notice—“ That the Government bo asked not only to impress on owners the necessity of keeping Californian thistle, down, but also that on their own lands and in their own position of ownership they should take steps to eradicate tho pest, and experiment as to the best methods of doing so, for the general benefit of the farming community.” The motion, was seconded by the chairman, and carried. EATING. Mr Watson moved—“ That the present basis of levying the hospital and chafitahle aid rate is unfair to the country and quite out of proportion to the benefits they receive from it.” The mover said that a very heavy rate was paid by the country districts, which got very little benefit from the charitable aid and hospital arrangements. Mr O’Halloran seconded the motion. The chairman suggested that some course, of action should' be recommended. The mover said that his branch would like to suggest that each district should administer its own charitable aid and hospital business. On the suggestion of the chairman, the motion was carried, and it was resolved that it should be referred to the Executive. SUBSCRIPTIONS. Mr Hall moved—“ That subscriptions of members be made proportional to their interests in the farming industry.” Ho said that the rsniou wanted more funds, hut they could not ask the small farmers for large amounts, and ha therefore suggested a graduated rate. The motion was seconded by Mr O'Halloran. The chairman said that tho matter had been" fully discussed at the last colonial conference, which had refused to make a change. Tho branches were now ablo to ijiake levies if they needed them. The motion was lost. GRAIN STATISTICS. Mr Lcadley moved—“ That tho Department of Trade and Customs ho requested to publish statistics of the export of wheat and oats monthly, instead of quarterly.” Tho motion was seconded, by Mr Rainey, and carried. EXECUTIVE MEETINGS. On' the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr Willis, it was resolved that a report of each Executive meeting should be sent to the secretary cf each branch, for the information of members. LECTURES FOR FARMERS. Mr J. A. Pannett moved—” Tliat a paid agent be appointed for tho North Canterbury district for tho purpose of giving lectures to farmers in the interests of the union, and to canvass for members.” The mover suggested that the necessary funds might be raised by voluntary subscription. The motion was seconded by Mr O’Hailoran. On the suggestion of the chairman, it was resolved that the matter should be referred to tho Executive. ACCIDENT INSURANCE. Mr Willis moved—“ That the Conference be asked to consider the fact that the rates of accident insurance have been, raised as follows:—Five shillings to 13s for farm labourers and SOs to 40s per cent for threshing machine men.” Tho mover said that they wanted some guarantee against wholesale raising of rates, and he therefore proposed that the council should bo asked to consider the matter. The chairman raid that the Executive was doing everything possible in the matter, Tho motion waa carried. THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM. Mr W. P. Pannett moved—“ That no action having apparently been taken regarding the recommendation of last Conference, ‘ ’Siat the elements of book-keeping ond_

land and timber measuring be taught in our primary schools,’ this Conference reaffirm tho desirableness of such a, course.” Tho motion was seconded by Mr Bedford and carried. CONSIGNMENT OF TRUCKS. Mr Jones moved, on behalf of Mr Allan—- “ That the Railway Department he requested to consign empty trucks to the parties ordering - by special consignment card, and to make it penal for any other person to remove tho card.” Tho motion was seconded by Mr Ryan and carried. CENTRAL ROOMS FOR ; BRANCHES. Mr O’Halloran moved - —“ That each branch ba urged to have a room at a recognised centre, where its papers, a book of members’ names, and a book for receiving complaints and suggestions may bo kept, such complaints and suggestions to be dealt with at subsequent meetings of the. branch.” Tho mover said that many of the branches were very much ini need of a central home, and its establishment by any branch would probably lead to an increase of'members. The motion was seconded by Air Ruddenklau, who urged that the proposal was especially suited - to tho needs of country districts. Mr Leadley spoke iw favour of the motion, but pointed out that if central rooms were to ho established, they must have caretakers, and this would probably mean too much expense. The motion waa carried. ASSISTANCE FOR FARM LABOURERS. Mr Lambie moved—“ That, with a view to counteract the damage done to farm workers by professional agitators, this Union will take all possible steps to assist farm labourer's to become farmers and employers.” Tiro mover said that they must know that the professional agitator’s work was quite a new development in) New Zealand. It had been responsible for much evil, and the ovil was, likely to spread to the farming community. Some men, even journalists, thought they had a mission - to reform things by making working men think that they were abused. The idea was a wrong one. He moved the motion in order to show the farm employees that the farmers did not wish to out down their wages, but rather wished to give them just such opportunities as they had themselves. He wanted the Union to assure farm labourers that the masters would use their best endeavours to help their men to become farmers and employers., They must guard against the professional agitator, who tried to blind the worker to his - best interests. Air Hall seconded the motion. Mr Reid supported the motion, suggesting that tho matter was worthy of serious consideration by tho executive. Air Laidlcy said - that, tho motion was in the very best interests of the colony. They wanted tho young workers to take up land. He thought that tho Land Board should taka note of the qualifications of applicants for Crown land, and give some preference to the men who had been well trained by competent farmers. Many good men had 1 not been successful in drawing section:;, though others with less qualification were able “to go on the land.” The motion was carried. On tho motion of the President, a vote of thanks was passed to tho Press for tho manner in which the work of the Confer-* enoe had been reported. A vote of thanks was accorded to the provincial secretary, Air J. Harding, tho mover, A:Cr Leadley, speaking in terms of high praise of Air Harding’s work. PRESENTATION TO AIR LEADLEY. After the Conference had closed, tho President said that he had been fiskcdi to perform a very pleasant duly. On behalf of the executive ho had been asked to mako some recognition of Air Leadloy’s great vices to the Union. He had been called the father of th” Farmers’ Union in Canterbury. and he had been a model president in every way. He had made it a, very difficult! matter for anyone to follow him. On behalf of the members of the Conference he had to present Afr Loadloy with, a small trin- 1 lv6a.. Amidst loud applause he handed Air Leadley an inscribed geld sovereign case. Air Leadley said that’he could hardly express what ho wanted to say. ■ Ho was! taken by surprise, when tho chairman made* him a presentation. It had been said that he dearly loved a fight. That was so, but on an occasion like the present ho didn’t know what to say. Ho should value their gift very highly as a token that tho mem-’ tiers had 1 been satisfied with, his work. ‘ He had had many troubles to contend with, and many attempts had been made to injure him, hut he had been ablo to stick to

Big guns and fight for the progress of the farmers in the colony. This would con--tinuo to ho the object of his efforts. He had-more than once refused to ho a candidate for Parliament, for he was not_ working for his own ends, and ho wished to show them that ho had no axe to grind. Ho was at their service, and he would continue to do all ho could to promote tho welfare of the farming communityMEETING- OF THE EXECUTIVE. At a meeting of the Executive, Mr W. Harding was ro-oleoted secretary and Mr J. Henry treasurer. It was resolved that the Executive should meet regularly on_tho third Wednesday in each month at 12.50 p.m.