FARMERS' UNION

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 85, 12 April 1920, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION

The monthly meeting of the Marlborough Executive of the Farmers' Union was held on Saturday. There were present: Messrs P. Meehan (chairman), A. D. Loe, W. H. Gane, H. D. Western, P. O'Dvvyer, J. F. Neal, W. Smith, and J. S. Storey. THE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION.

The sub-committee appointed to consider the questions as to the amount of the annual subscription and the collection of arrears recommended that the subscription be increased to £1 per head per annum, and that the secretary notify all concerned that members in arrears1 for two years would be struck off the roll of members. COAL SUPPLIES. The .Prime Minister, replying to the secretary's representations as to the need for a further supply of coal for the threshing mills, wrote that, owing to an outbreak of influenza among the men employed in the West Coast collieries, it would not be possible to arrange for a shipment to Picton from there for some time to come. It was explained that a consignment of coal for the threshing mills reached Blenheim from Wellington recently, but it was practically coal dust, and wais refused by the mill owners. The stuff was delivered to the gasworks. . . The secretary was instructed to write to the Prime Minister protesting against the inferior quality of this coal, and urging the need of an immmediate supply of suitable coal. THE PRODUCERS' CONFERENCE

The Sounds Farmers' Union wrote intimating its willingness that the vice-president of the Marlborough Farmers' Union (Mr J. B. Dick) should also represent it at the conference convened by the Board of Agriculture to' consider the interests _oi the frozen meat industry and shipping matters. The Board of Agriculture notinea that the conference would be held in the near future.

SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE,

The North Otago Farmers' Union forwarded a resolution suggesting that, in preference to the idea of sending a commission of investigation to England, steps be taken to isecure the- services of Sir Thomas Mackenzie (who is vacating the position of High Commissioner) as the primary producers' representative in London, the cost of such an establishment to be met by means of a system of collection from the producers themselves. The chairman warmly approved of the scheme; and, on the motion of Mr Smith, seconded by Mr Storey, it was decided to endorse the resolution. FOOT ROT. The secretary reported that he had communicated to the proprietors of all the saleyards in the district the Executive's appeal to exclude sheep affected with foot rot. Replies were received from the N.Z.- Loan and Mercantile Agency Company and the Blenheim Saleyards Company. They were to the effect that the proprietors had always been anxious to prevent the entry of infected sheep into the yards, but detection was difficult, and they would strongly recommend to the Executive the advisableness of viewing the whole problem in the light of the individual responsibility of sheepowners. Members expressed themselves emphatically as to the importance of preventing the spread of foot rot. The disease was in itself more serious, and a greater cause of loss, than lice find other troubles to which the Department paid more attention. It was resolved that the Department of Agriculture be written to and nsked to hare foot rot brought under the enforceable provisons of the Stock Act. THE PHOSPHATE! DEPOSITS. A resolution from the Southland Farmers' Union advocated that the Government should be urged to give the- option of distributing the phosphate supplies from Nauru, Island to the Farmer's' Co-operative Association. It was moved that, while this Executive realised the desirableness of instituting such a system of handling and distribution as would ensure the lowest possible cost to the farmers, it could not see its way to support the Southland resolution. 'An amendment was carried by 5 to 3, that the resolution bo endorsed. OVERSEAS1 SETTLEMENT. Mis-3 Watkins, one of the members of the British Overseas Settlement Mission, wrote from Auckland asking, for the purposes of the report they were prroaring for the Home Government, whether any further development in connection with their inves- 1 fixations had taken place since .thur vi?it to Marlborough. They regarded this district as one offering considerable oT>portunities for the absorption of women workers in Groat Britain. The secretary was instructed to reply that there were no now developments to report. RIFLE CHALLENGE SHIELD. The matter of entering a team in the event of a competition for the rifle challenge shield, hold by Marlborough. wn3 left in the, harids of Mossni H. C. Chcesman and W. H. Gane. r - r^,mT^^

ANNUAL MEETING

The hope was expressed that the members of the Farmers' Union would bnnr in mind the annual meet-

ins; to bo hold later in the month and would attend in large numbers.