FARMERS’ UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 97, 24 March 1939, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION

SOUTHERN HAWKE’S BAY EXECUTIVE. PEDIGREE STOCK EMBARGO. The monthly meeting of the Southern Hawke’s Bay provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union was held in Dannevirke yesterday, Mr J. C. Bolton presiding over a good attendance. The question of the embargo on the importation of pedigree stock was raised by a copy of a letter from the National Farmers’ Union and Chamber of Agriculture of Scotland to the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, suggesting that the main reason for the restriction was the fear of foot and mouth disease, the contraction of which, it was claimed, was remote' in view of British regulations. The letter suggested that a continuance of the embargo might lead to retaliatory measures against-New Zealand produce. Air Bolton moved a resolution favouring the lifting of the embargo. He remarked that the New Zealand quarantine regulations were ineffective. as stock after quarantine proceeded to the mainland in the ship and bedding in which it had already travelled.

Air A. AlcLeod stated that the pedigree stock was to some extent being imported indirectly, and consequently at greater cost to the importers. ATr H. T. Ellingham seconded the motion, which was carried.

T he following remit to the Dominion conference was carried: —“That, in order to keep country people appraised of developments in connection with the correspondence school, a council should l>e set up in conjunction with the school along the lines of a school committee, such a council to he composed of representatives of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, the Counties’ Association, Education Boards and the Farmers’ Union.”

A motion to the effect that Hawke’s Bay and Southern Hawke’s Bay executives wished to form a separate group with direct representation on 'the Dominion executive, in accordance with the resolution of the combined executive meeting at Waipukurau last month was carried and will be sent forward to the Dominion conference.

A special sub-committee was set up to assist in the organisation of a farmers’ tour of Westland in Alay.

In co-operation with the Young Farmers’ Club and the Women’s Division of the union, a field day will be held at the end of Alav.

The Dominion secretary of the union forwarded a copy of his letter to the Bureau of Industries setting out a strong case against the establishment of a motor tyre manufacturing industry in New Zealand. It maintained that eosts and tyre efficiency vrould be impaired. The following resolution was forwarded direct to the Bureau of Industries:—“The union has no objection to the establishment of an industry for the manufacture of tyres in New Zealand provided there is no interference with the present unrestricted entry of tyres from the factories of the world, and no increase in duties or any other interference with the freedom of trade which may have the tendency to increase tyre prices or restrict the freedom of the riser to choose the type of tyre most suited to his particular requirements.” A scheme, for the supply of electricity to a number of farmers in the Afakaretu district was submitted to the meeting hv the engineer to the Dannevirke Power Board (Air F. 0. Devlin). The chairman moved a cordial vote of thanks to the Dannevirke Power Board and its engineer for the trouble they had taken. Air N. Waldin, Takapau, seconded this and expressed his pleasure that something was being done to supply electricity to the Afakaretu settlers.