FARMERS’ UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 107, 6 April 1932, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION

WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. Various subjects of importance to tho farming community were discussed at a mooting of tho Wellington provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union held at Mnrton yesterday. Mr K. W. Dalrymplo presided, and there were present Messrs L. McLean, R. Hogg, A. Amon, L. Hammond, D. Simpson, A. Howard, G. L. Marshall, D. Scott, J, Lambert, G. 13. Gordon, F. Cash, J. G. Eliott and A. Fannin. Apologies for absence wero received from Messrs A. Marshall, J. 13. S. Dudding, R. Gray, A. Campbell, J. H. Mason, A. Biclcnell, G. E. Anderson and W. R. Anderson. Correspondence was received from the Auckland provincial executive regarding proposals for an interchange of speakers at provincial and branch meetings and for the abandoning of all contentious inter-union questions until after some settlement or urgent national affairs had been reached. Mr Dalrymplo explained at some length the difficulties regarding the Auckland province, after which it was agreed to advise the Auckland executive that this executive was satisfied to leave

tho question of abandoning contentious inter-union matters to tho Dominion exeontive to decide. Members expressed the opinion that they had every confidence in the Dominion executive doing the right thing. On the question of interchange of speakers members felt that there was a danger of speakers from the north endeavouring to introduce party politics into tho discussions and that this was undesirable It was therefore agreed to express the opinion that the time was not opportune for the adoption of the proposal. In reply to correspondnce from the executive regarding the price and quality of New Zealand manufactured goods, tho Minister in charge of tho department of Industries and Commerce wrote stating that an investigation of tho trading results of New Zenland companies did not disclose that excessive profits were being made. Factors responsible for the high prices were labour charges and costs of manufacture generally. It was denied that the quality of the New Zealand manufactured article was .inferior in quality, nor was “shoddy” used by the local woollen companies. The department asked that specific cases which called for investigation regarding price or tho quality of the New Zealand made article be referred to the Minister. A letter on the same subject was received from the Woollen Mill Owners’ Association, and following a brief discussion it -was agreed to refer the correspondence to the Feilding branch. of the Women’s Division for any criticism the division wished to make. CONFERENCE AT OTTAWA. Matters in connection with the forthcoming Ottawa Conference were referred to in correspondence received from Dominion headquarters. The chairman stated that it was difficult

for the executive to offer any sugges tion regarding trade treaties withoui members being fully acquainted w r ith all the facts and figures. The advisory committee of the union, after hearing authoritative evidence on tho issues, had agreed to support tho idea of a quota instead of preference and unless any membor had any contrary opinions it would perhaps be as well to support the advisory committee’s view. Mr Marshall said ho hoped that the conference would not give any favourable treatment to the Argentine, and this was followed up by a remark by Mr Simpson that difficulties would no doubt bo encountered sinco the Argentine had responded so well to the appeal of the Prince of Wales on behalf of British industries. Mr Eliott felt that if tho conference got as far as deciding upon preference to Empire units it would achieve a great deal. He did not think tho executive was qualified to express an opinion one way or the other on the quota system as against Empire preference. It was agreed to support the advisory committee’s recommendations and also to support the views expressed by the Hawke’s Bay provincial executive that no foreign country bo permitted representation at the conference. A letter from the Feilding branch on the same subject was received.

It was agreed to hold the InterProvineial Conference as usual in AI ay next at Feilding. It was left to the secretary to confer with other provinces as to the actual dates and to recommend that the business of the conference he confined as far as possible to purely national issues. The suggestion made by Dominion headquarters that provinces should arrange for a “farmers’ week” during the winter months with the object of infusing life into the union, was supported. It wns decided to prepare an itinerary providing for special meetings to be held at Feilding, Kimbolton, Afarton, TTunterville, Taihape and Ohakune during July. It was decided te hold the annual meeting of the executive at Feilding on Alay 13.