FARMERS’ UNION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 176, 25 June 1938, Page 12

FARMERS’ UNION.

SOUTHERN HAWKE’S BAY. EXECUTIVE MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Southern Haivke’s Bay provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union was held at Dannevirke on Thursday, Mr J. C. Bolton (Woodville) presiding over a good attendance. Mr H. B. Stuckey was nominated as a delegate to the electoral committee of the Meat Producers’ Board, and it was decided to circularise all sheep farmers urging them to support the nomination.

A circular letter with a questionnaire was received from the promoters of a “Tell New Zealand Campaign.” The questions were of such nature that the chairman remarked that 'to answer them would be “skating on thin ice,” as they touched on party politics. No action was taken. Mr J. Livingston was appointed a second delegate to the Dominion conference. and failing his ability to attend Mr J. AV. Murray will take his place. Two branches replied to; the executive’s circular letter respecting the shortage of farm labour in the district. The Pongaroa branch stated that the general opinion was that the situation now was not nearly so bad as previously, although there was a shortage caused by local authorities requiring all available labour to repair flood damage. The Porangahau branch said there was a shortage there, and that it was evident that not enough young men were taking on shearing. Asked by the Dominion executive for its views as to w’hether freezing companies should be allowed to retail meat, the executive carried a resolution to the effect that the Dominion body could arrange whatever it liked so long as there was no detriment to the producers. The chairman . That the meat offered in the works’ iljtlpj shops was good, but perhaps heifig-bruised in one quarter was not up to export standard. He said that he felt the works would be perfectly willing to close' these shops if the butchers in the towns would be prepared to take the meat.

In reply to a request for an instructor in agriculture to _ be' stationed in the Da.nnevirke district, the Department of Agriculture advised that no suitably qualified person was available at present, but suggested that a. new graduate might be, appointed at the end of the year. It was stated that a large number of such men could be placed in the country if they could be found, and also that it was doubtful •wisdom to appoint a newly graduated person, lacking perhaps in practical experience. Mr Murray urged that the Government. should see that men were in training for such jobs. He said also that there was, too, a shortage of veterinarians. It was decided to pla.ee on record appreciation of the services of Mr Livingston, who had been executive ohaiiman for over 14 years. The chairman paid .a tribute to the way Mr Livingston had conducted the inter-pro-vincial conference as its chairman, and the secretary (Mr Quiglev) reported that every delegate from the province had done' his job and given the impression that the Southern Hawke’s Bav Union ivas flourishing and progressing. ' M««srs J. P. Robinson, F. R. Cowper. O. Parker and J. Sedcole ivere elected new members and the resignation of Mr W. K. Lang, of Pongaroa, was accepted. It was decided to ivrite to the General Manager of Railways for information regarding responsibility to maintain railway fences.