FARMERS’ UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16664, 24 September 1914, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

NORTH CANTERBURY BRANCH

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE.

Tho executive of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union met yesterday; present—Messrs O. H. Ensor (chairman), G. Gardner, G. Sheat, G. W. Leadiev, W. Bailey, O. Benjamin, A. E. Cook, J. R. Cullen, F. G. liorrell, H. (v. Livingston, G. G. Newton, S. AVeldi and B. Seth-Smith. SCARCITY OF STEAMERS.

Mr G. W. Leadley urged that representations should be made to the Government' to have sufficient steamers provided for the frozen meat trade. During the first few months of the new year there would bo a shortage of vessels.

Mr G. Sheat said it would help the Government if the meeting forwarded a resolution urging that efforts should bo made to bring the New* _ Zealand transports back to the Dominion, even if they carried only ballast.

Mr Leadley moved—“ That the Executive expresses its appreciation of the efforts already made by the Government in" tho direction of assuring a sufficient supply of refrigerating steamers to cope with our export., trade until the close of the current year, but we would beg to point out that the rush of the frozen lamb trade usually occurs durin" the months of January, February and March, and that there is apparently no guarantee of steamers being available during those months, and in view of the somewhat limited storage snaco in. the freezing works a block would easily occur were steamers not available.” The motion was carried. ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE.

Mr E. Jack. Dominion secretary of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union, wrote, forwarding tho following resolution. submitted at the recent Dominion Conference:—“That the Dominion Conference be again asked to appoint a committee to consider and draft a scheme of government by elective ex. ecutive of this country, in order that tho Farmers’ Union may bo aWo to enter on an active campaign to bring this principle clearly before tho electors of tlio Dominion.” The remit, which had come from Auckland, had been considered at tho conference, where it was decided to refer it back to the branches before any pronouncement was made. Mr Gardner moved that tho letter should be received.

Mr Weld, in seconding the motion, stated that as the matter was purely a, political one, the executive should not consider the matter.

Mr Leadley said that he thought that the branches should be allowed to discuss tho remit. He did not see why the matter could not be discussed, as four-fifths of the matters discussed by. the Union were political in some shape or form.

Mr Gardner said that he would withdraw liis motion if tlio branches were prevented from considering tho remit. Mr Weld said he would not consent to the withdrawal of the motion. The motion was lost, and it was decided to refer the proposal to tho branches for consideration, MISCELLANEOUS.

A telegram was received from the’ Prime Minister, in answer to a message from the Farmers’ Union, suggesting that Mr R. Evans, as a representative of the Canterbury wheat growers, should be appointed to sit on the Food Commission. Mr Massey stated that he would consult the chairman of the Commission as to whether any additional appointment should be made at this stage. A letter was received from the secretary of tlie Great Britain, Ireland and Belgium Fund, acknowledging the receipt of the Union’s resolutions regarding assistanceTlio chairman stated that, when the rat lamb season arrived there wotiid be a ready response to the appeal.. It was decided that the Traffic Manager should be written to asking that cream cans should bo placed on the railway trucks at stations by the station authorities,, instead of requiring farmers to wait and personally seo that the cans were placed on board.