FARMERS’ UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 238, 5 September 1940, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION

MANAWATU EXECUTIVE

REMITS FROM BRANCHES.

Various matters affecting farming interests were discussed at a meeting of the Manawatu provincial executive of the Farmers’ Un.on yesterday. The president (Mr H. J. McLeavey) was in. the chair. A motion of sympathy with the president in the death of his mother at Levin was carried in silence. The meeting also stood in silence as a mark of respect to the late Mr W. R. Kelly, of Tokomaru. It was stated that Mr Kelly was a returned soldier, the holder of the Military Medal, and was very keen to see the Farmers’ Union movement progress. He had undertaken a large programme for increased production and while he was engaged on this he tragically met his death last Wednesday. Mr A. G. Dear was appointed tho representative of the executive on the

Manawatu district young farmers’ executive. Mr R. 0. Gloyn was welcomed as a representative of the young farmers’ executive on the provincial executive.

The Rongotea branch forwarded a

remit: “That the Department of AgrL culture should see that seed sold is true |to label.” Swedes, it was stated, had i been planted in that district, 1 but about Half had been found to be a type of thousand-headed kale. Mr A. G. Dear said he had had this expeiienee j and another settJer had planted seed j tor chon moeliior and this had come up as kale. The meeting decided to advise the Department of Agriculture of the occurrences. I The Linton branch forwarded a remit: —“That the Government be asked to suspend the provisions of the shearers’ award relating to the employment of non-union labour for the duration of the war and twelve months thereafter.” Mr L. F. Ballinger said it was obvious that some action on these lines would be necessary. The remit, moved by Mr Ballinger and seconded by Mr I). A. Scott, was carried and is to go to the Primary Production Council and the Dominion executive.

' The following remit was forwarded by the Ohau branrh: —“That the Labour Department (employment division) be urged to amend the terms and conditions in respect of employment | under Scheme No. 4B so that f armers • with only a limited amount of capital may be pLaced in the position to take [ advantage of its benefits.” Mr S. C. Saint said the scheme was quite unsound in that it aided the man of means and bore hard on the man of limited means. To-day there were three departments mixed up in the operation of the scheme. The latter should provide for quicker payments. The remit was carried and is to he forwarded to the Manawatu Primary Production Council and the Dominion executive.

Reports on the last Dominion conference were given by the president, Mr E. O. Bond, the latter paying a high tribute to the capabilities and sincerity of the Dominion president (Mr W. W, Mulhollaml). The meeting decided to write to him, congratulating him on his election to the position for the fifth year in succession. It was reported that letters had been sent to the branches on the following subjects:—Auxiliary defence proposals, control of organisers, nails for primary industries, the law of trespass, what the union has done, farm, employers’ liability for sick pay, lime and fertilisers, ancl Ministerial replies to remits.

The various branches are to be asked to forward the names cf members who have gone on active service so that a roll may be romp led

The sum of £2 2s was donated to the Manawatu-Oroua branch of the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs.