FARMERS’ UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 109, 7 April 1934, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION

MANAWATU PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. The Manawatu provincial executivo of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union met to-day. Those present were Messrs J. A. McLcavey (chairman), J. T. Kent, H. Bowling, H. Denton, It. C. Bishop, C. P. Jensen, A. G. Dear, J. Gloyne, H. McLeavey, L. Ballinger, B. G. Gower, J. Hodgson, J. D. Avery, J. Boyce, H. J. Richards and L. H. Best. It was decided that a letter of sympathy’ in the passing of the late Mr H. G. Iverslake, of Levin, be sent to the late gentleman’s relatives. Mr Kent said that Mr Korslake had been a supporter of the union for a long period. The motion was carried in silence, the members standing.

In reporting on the recent picnic held hear the Ohau River, at Levin, the chairman said that it had been very enjoyable and a success. It was decided that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr R. Gore, who owned the property on which the picnic had been held.

Several members spoke in appreciation of the gathering and it was decided that the picnic should be made an annual one. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

The Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce advised that it had passed a motion declaring that the chamber desired to assist m improving the state of the dairy’ industry, and the letter inquired if the Farmers’ Union would co-operate in holding a public meeting to ventilate the matter.

More publicity than ever had been given to the industry’, said Mr J. T. Kent. He advocated free trade. A meeting would not help matters financially’.

The secretary said he had consulted the Dairy Farmers’ Union secretary and the latter thought that a public meeting might lead to worse confusion in the minds of the public. Mr McLeavey said that the . best brains were now concerned with the problem and he thought it could well be left to them.

Mr C. P. Jensen said the union should be very grateful that the Chamber of Commerce was alive to the seriousness of the question. The business men realised the position. Every effort should be made to enlist the help of business people in the dairy’ farmers’ troubles. He moved that a committee be set up to arrange a public meeting if it was thought advisable. Mr J. Boyce agreed with Mr Jensen. The committee could do no harm. He seconded the motion. Mr H. J. Best said that the chamber would fight them over the exchange question, but this time the chamber was with the farmers.

Mr R. C. Bishop said that the proposal was a good opportunity to bring town and country together. Mr H. J. Richards supported the motion, saying that the committee was safeguarded in the clause giving tlio committee power to decide if the meeting should be held or not. Mr J. Hodgson said that he failed to see that such a meeting would do one iota of good. The political element entered into everything that was giving benefit to the farmers. The union was not strong in itself. Its own representatives had even voted against their own remits in Wellington. The chairman said that to support the suggestion would show that the union was willing to work with the chamber.

In reply, Mr Jensen said that the proposal formed a good opportunity to get town and country together. The motion was carried unanimously. The committee appointed was Messrs J. A. McLeavey, C. P. Jensen and A. G. Dear.

Official reports on the recent dairy industry conference in Wellington were submitted to the meeting and received. Mr Jensen spoke in favour of the improvement of quality as the means by which market prices could be improved. Mr Gloyn said that farmers had had a harder time in the south of England than in the Dominion. New Zealand farmers would have to come down to the level on which they could compete with other producers. Mr L. H. Best: We must get our costs down. The discussion then lapsed. GENERAL BUSINESS. The Wanganui branch advised that the tentative date for the provincial conference had been fixed as May 24 and 25. The last day for the reception of remits would be May 5. The opinion of the Manawatu executive as to the suitability of the date was requested. —The chairman said that if remits were presented at the next meeting they would be forwarded then. The dates were endorsed as being suitable. The secretary said, in reply to a question, that each branch would have one representative only on the executive.

Mr Bowling brought up the matter of the lifting of the embargo on imported stock. He submitted a Press statement and expressed the view that there should be renewed stringency with regard to stock importations. The chairman said that the members could rest assured that before anything was done the Farmers’ Union would have a say in the matter.