FARMERS’ UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17076, 27 January 1916, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

NORTH CANTERBURY EXECUTIVE. The Executive Committee of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held yesterday afternoon, the president (Mr George Gardner) presiding. The Secretary of Agriculture wrote in reply to the Union’s request that tho embargo on tho slaughtering of young cattle in the drought-stricken areas of the South Island should he removed. The Minister of Agriculture had already gone into the matter, and it had been decided to accept for purchase on behalf of the Imperial Government meat from young cattle under two years old depastured oil land in Canterbury and North Otago, only provided if the quality were sufficiently good to be classed as second quality beef, boning quality beef or boneless beef. Permission for the slaughter of such cattle had been given as from January 10. It was decided to reply thanking the Department for the concession, which was greatly appreciated by farmers. Tlie president said that Sir Rider Haggard was coming out to. New Zealand on behalf of the Imperial Government with regard to tlie settlement ot soldiers on the land after the war. The question was one which vitally concerned the Farmers’ Union and th e interests it represented, and ho thought it would be a. good thing to invite Sir Rider Haggard to a meeting 0 f the union and ask him to give a lecture on the objects of his visit, when farmers nimht be able to give him a great deal of useful information; apd assistance. ]t was decided to issue the visitor an invitation accordingly, when he came to Christchurch.