FARMERS’ UNION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 229, 26 August 1940, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION.

At a meeting of tho Southern Hawke’s Bay provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union Mr .1. W. Murray presided in the absence of the president. Mr J. C. Bolton. A circular was received from the Dominion executive covering tho activities of the union. T’he provincial secretary (Mr 11. S. M. Quigley) said that while the information given in the circular was quite good it did not go far enough. He suggested that head office should compile a booklet, suitably indexed, for distribution among the farmers, lie proposed to have some copies of the circu’ar taken off for distribution to the members. Mr D. W. Gray moved that the head office he written to suggesting that tho activities of the Farmers’ Union be compiled in booklet form for distribution among the members. This was seconded by Mr A. McLeod, and carried. The Dominion secretary forwarded a lengthy statement of suggestions made by him in reference to the Government policy for conserving petrol. He pointed out that some branches had been active in arranging for cars to pick up farmers going to meetings, which would become very necessary as farmers would doubtless have to combine more and more on problems of production, both in regard to the best possible utilisation of plant and of labour. The secretary said this was already being done by farmers in this district. The Dominion secretary also advised that enquiries made had established the fact that the increases in award rates made by (he Arbitration Court for cost of living would not apply to the shearers’ award. A public announcement to this effect would bo made shortly. The chairman and members considered this very satisfactory. : After the secretary had distributed bulletins from the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, dealing with “Poultry on Farms,” Mr A. McLeod said tho position so far as the production of eggs was concerned was really most confusing. The secretary stated that the poultry instructor who visited Dannevirke recently was unable to state the Government’s policy so far as marketing was concerned. The chairman said the question was one which vitally concerned the wives of farmers, who were anxious to assist in the production of eggs, but the position apparently required clarifying. Mr Gray moved that the matter be taken up with the Dominion executive with the view to having the position clarified by the Government. Mr L. Fcierabend seconded the motion, which was carried.