DAIRY FARMERS’ UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 223, 21 August 1931, Page 4

DAIRY FARMERS’ UNION

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. CONDITIONS "in’AIANAWATU. The executive of the Dairy Farmers’ Union met in Palmerst-on North yesterday afternoon. Mr N. Campbell presided, and others present were Messrs Boyce, H. Seifert. Mason, Poupard. Dewar, Small, Koehler, Morcom, Faulding, Norman, Bickers, Balmer, Gimblett and Legge. The Pohanglna branch forwarded the following remit: —That the attention of the executive be drawn to the articles appearing in the June and July issues of the Exporter. One is headed the “Death Knell of the Tamworfhs and Berkshires,” and the other is in similar vein. We do not consider that such expressive views should I appear in this paper, and are two one- I sided.

Mr Boyce moved that this Dairy Control Board be written to asking it to withhold its subsidy this vear to the Exporter publication, at the expiration of the agreement, on the grounds that it took exception to a large number of articles appearing from time to time. * Mr Small said the publication was not like another outside one, which paid its own wav. Mr Seifert said the hoard should he asked what was the object of giving a subsidy to the Exporter, and what benefits were received in return. It was considered that some of the expressions of opinion made were not representative of the whole of the producers.

Mr Campbell considered that the Control Board colud give information to the ii dustrv through the ordinary papers at much less expense than the subsidy to the Exporter. Other papers were only too willing to publish mat-

ters of interest to the producers, he said.

Mr Mason said that practically the whole of the articles appearing in the Exporter were “inspired.” An amendment was moved hv Air Seifert, and seconded by Air Gimblett, on the lines of the suggestion that information should be obtained from the Dairy Produce Board. The original motion was withdrawn and the amendment was carried unanimouslv.

The Glen Oroua branch forwarded the following remit:—That the executive inquire into the high rate paid for manures in the North Island in comparison with the South Island. Air Poupard alleged that purchasers of manures in the North Island were paying ihe cost of a competitive fertiliser war in the South Island. He considered that manures could be secured ! cheaper. Interest and manures were | two vital factors in the farmers’ costs. It was decided, on the motion of I the chairman, seconded by Air Seifert, | to write the Alinister of Agriculture inquiring the reason for the disparity in North and South Island prices. Air Poupard said the fertilisers should be cheaper on account of lower costs of production. The suggestion was advanced in a letter received from Air A. H. Vile, of AVoodville, that unemployed men should bo put to work in developing the lime deposits in the Alanawatu Gorge.

Air Campbell said that some years ago when experimental tests were made in the Alanawatu Gorge, rock soil had disclosed a high percentage of dime content.

Air Small said it would cost a very large amount of money to establish lim* works there. He considered the expense involved would be too great. It was decided to pass on the letter to the Unemployment Board.

TRANSPORT AND OOAIPETHTON. Complaints were made during the discussion on the Transport Bill that butter consigned from Auckland to

Wellington could be railed south at the same rate as from Taihape to Wellington. Reference was made by the chairman to the fact that butter was coming down at a cut rate from the Waikato to the Alanawatu district to compete with local production. He considered that full transport freights should he enforced on competitive consignments of that nature from one district to another.

Air Gimblett said that co-operation ■ was needed. All the dairy companies in the Alanawatu ditric-t were fighting tooth and nail for the right to supply Palmerston North, and under the circumstances they were being inconsistent in criticising a more distant company for playing the same game. Air Legge said the matter of road transport was serious, and derating of farmlands would have to come. Protests were voiced by Air Boyce at the diversion of highways taxation funds to other channels. Air Gimblett said the union should go straight out for derating and make the users of the road pay. The Government could easily double the petrol tax. Air Boyce: And halve the use of it. Afoved by Air Campbell and seconded by Air Boyce a resolution was passed embodying a protest at the diversion of main highways funds to other channels. PARLIAAIENTA R Y REPRESENTATION. The Kopane branch forwarded a remit that the number of members of Parliament in the Dominion should he reduced by 25 per cent, and their salaries by 20 per cent., and that a definite answer bn demanded from all candidates at the coming election as to whether they would support the introduction of a Bill to that effect. Air Alorcom said he considered that the number of members of Parliament could he reduced, as New Zealand was over-represented, and the representation of urban areas should be |: reduped.

Air Boyce*, said Parliament House was more or less a “bear-garden.” It was worse than a Farmers’ Union conference. Parliamentary representation should be on both a population and area basis. Air Small considered that larger electorates would tend to produce class legislation and Government by financial interests. The matter was held over for further discussion at the next meeting. GENERAL AIATTERS. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union advised that a joint committee representing the various plaoes of the farmI ing industry had been appointed in j AVellington to deal with rating on urban farm lands. Particulars of three | or four specific cases were sought. The letter was received and it was decided to forward- concrete instances

l available. The Director-General of Agriculture advised that he had received the let- , ter requesting that if possible the ( weights of pigs killed at the various works be retained by the meat inspeci tor for a period of one month for the purposes of verification if necessary. In connection with that, it was pointed out that the weighing was not done by the inspector. Consequently as he was not in possession of the recorded weights he regretted that it would not

be possible to comply. The weights as supplied to him at the time of grading would, of course, be available in the books of the company. Air Poupard said this confirmed his previous opinions, and the letter was formally received. It was decided to ask the department to have the grader check hook weights.

The Minister of A prion] t lire (Hon. A. J. Murdoch) advised that he had received the representations made on the subject of the introduction into the House of a Pure Seeds Bill. While the desirability for legislation making better provision for controlling the ;ale of seeds was fully appreciated, he lad to advise that it was unlikely that a favourable opportunity would present itself of introducing a Bill governing that matter during the present session of Parliament. Mr Balmer expressed the opinion that the Government was afraid tc

take action. He said several farmers in Iris district had had to plough in their crops on account of the poor quality of mangold seed. Although there was a legal remedy, against the vendors, none of the men who had suffered wished to go to law over the matter. Mr Balmer added that the subject was to be brought up at the next meeting of the Chamber of Commerce bv Mr M. H. Oram.

It was decided to renew the former representations made.