FARMERS’ UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 255, 25 September 1935, Page 14

FARMERS’ UNION

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. ORGANISATION "PROCEDURE. Numerous subjects of importance to the farming industry were discussed at a meeting held in Marton yesterday of the 'Wellington central provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. Mr Lloyd Hammond presided and there were also present Messrs J. B. S. Dudding, R. Hogg, A. Campbell, A. B. Fannin, A. C. Birch, J. Morrison. F. C. Jurgens, J. H. Mason, J. L. Lambert, A. J. Harris, W. McLennan, G. Brandey, D. McLean, A. C. Cameron, W. Todd, 11. R. Richardson and A. Howard. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs I). Scott, G. Anderson. W. L. Grice, G. L. Marshall, D. G. Cameron and D. Simpson. Discussing the reorganisation proposals, the president stated that the first meeting of the provincial group delegates had been held at Palmerston North, when Southern Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Wanganui and Wellington members had been in attendance. His appointment as group delegate on the Dominion executive of the union had been confirmed. The meeting had approved of the proposed grouping, but had not agreed to any alteration in the existing individual provincial organisation, the opinion of the other provinces being that the system should be tried out for a year whereby existing provincial secretaries continued to act.

The minutes of the Palmerston North meeting, together with the recommendations, were read to the meeting and approved, and on the motion of Messrs Jurgens and Mason it was agreed to prepare a motion for discussion at the next inter-provincial conference, to be held in Fcilding, favouring the complete amalgamation of the four provinces. A welcome was extended to Mr Bramley, representing the Mangaweka branch. Mr Bramley said that he felt that the union would now be a live factor in the district.

Discussing the rally held in Tailinpe in August. Mr Hammond remarked upon the increasing interest in the union’s work in this district. He had to congratulate the Taihape branch upon its enthusiasm. CLASSIFICATION OF PIGS. In connection with the recent meeting of pig breeders in Palmerston North, a letter was received from the Manawatu-Oroua branch of the Pig Breeders’ Association seeking support for a resolution of protest against, the decision to penalise the unexportable pig carcase to the extent of 2d a lb. Mr Mason pointed out that last year New Zealand consumed some 98,000 porker carcases, and it was estimated that the operation of the penalty would very likely throw upon the local market an additional 32,000 carcases, with devastating results on the price factor. The meeting agreed to record its support of the protest. A remit from the Rangiwahia branch recommending that questions of inaccuracy in connection with returns made by farmers for the purpose of unemployment taxation on income, be tested within twelve months, was lost by nine votes to seven. A further remit from the same branch suggesting that branches of the union form themselves into labour bureaux for the purpose of assisting towards a reduction in unemployment was not proceeded with, the president pointing out that branches could act in the direction named without any direction from the executive.

The Wairarapa provincial executive wrote asking support for a resolution setting out that for future inter-pro-vincial conferences onlv policy matters and questions of major importance be included in the agenda paper. This was discussed at length, following which it was decided, on the motion of Messrs Campl>ell and Hogg, that the group executive go through the remits prior to the conference. This action, it was contended, would result in the arrangement of tire remits in the order of tlieir importance and would tend. to overcome the trouble caused by time being wasted upon the discussion of matters of minor importance.

The meeting decided to procure a life provincial membership badge to present to Mr K. W. Dalrymple, who was elected a life member in 1933.

A grant of £5 was made to the Ohakune branch to assist in the formation of a young farmers’ club in that district.

Dealing with questions referred to the meeting by the Dominion executive of the union, it was agreed to support the existing system of voting for members of the Dairy Control Board. The opinion was expressed that the system of leaving the voting to suppliers of dairy factories was unsatisfactory since few of them knew the candidates and many did not vote, whereas directors of dairy companies were better acquainted with the position and therefore better qualified to exercise the vote. It was decided to refer to branches the intimation that farmers ‘should be careful, when operating under a stay order under the Mortgagors Final Adjustment Act ,to provide in tlreir statement of working costs wages for any. member of the family employed in producing the farm income. No action was taken with regard to a Taranaki recommendation that, owing to the inadequacy of costs in cases prepared for the Mortgagors’ Commissions, the Commissions should be given the right to fix what was considered a fair charge for the legal work involved.

A lengthy circular from union headquarters set out the means by which farmers could make certain that the seed they purchased was Government certified.

The meeting recorded its approval of the work of the boys’ and girls’ agricultural club movement and passed a vote of £5 5s towards the funds. Messrs H. Richardson and Tv. M. Little were appointed delegates to represent the executive on the club. VIEWS OF HEADQUARTERS. Reporting on the recent Dominion' executive meeting of the union, Mr Hammond stated that Mr J. Boyce, of the Manawatu executive, had attended to specially represent the case for the State approval of lotteries to finance the upkeep of hospitals. He had made

out a strong case and succeeded in dividing the executive on the issue to the extent of a iiftv-fifty vote. It was finally agreed to refer the question to the next Dominion conference. In regard to Hie question of the collection of bobby calves, the meeting decided to recommend to the Agricultural Commission that lenders be called in each district for the right to convey calves to freezing works. This, it was claimed, would eliminate wasteful competition and place the business on a more satisfactory basis.

Replying to Mr Mason, the chairman stated that the union had asked last year for improved facilities for the carriage of calves to the works. He agreed that in motor lorries some protection against the elements was necessary, and he would bring the question up again. The executive had agreed to support the Comities’ Association proposal for the £1 for £1 subsidy on . roads other than main highways. This was a step towards derating, and in supporting the Counties’ Association the union was not losing sight of its aim of total derating. Support had also been accorded the proposal that the Education Department should revert to the old system of admitting five-year-old children to schools.

Touching on the national health insurance scheme, Mr Hammond stated that it had been decided to appoint an actuary who was to be asked to prepare a report for the purpose of arriving at a practical scheme which would replace the existing hospital rating system. When this • report was received and the scheme dratted it was proposed to consult with the Hospital Boards’ Association and the 8.M.A., as well as the Counties’ Conference representatives. The importance of the question was fully realised and it wns hoped that a satisfactory scheme would, be evolved. . The union was still pressing for the appointment of a commission to instigate the whole question of local body admlnistration. There was a prospect of something being done with regard to legislation for the special registration of Alsatian dogs. Steps were being taken to urge upon all concerned the necessity for protecting pigs when in transport from the farm to the sakyard or to the works. This was due to the increasing number of pigs which were condemned on account of contracting pleurisy. . Co-ordination of research work is to be requested and it was resolved to ask the Government to see that the funds now separately employed bv the Dairy Board and the Meat Boaid be employed jointly to develop all research work.