FARMERS' UNION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 90, 15 March 1941, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

SOUTHERN HAWKE'S DAY. A meeting of the dairy committee of the Southern Hawkc's Bay' Farmers' Union was held in Dannevirke, this week, Mr G. A. Cammock presiding. A letter was received from tho secretary of the Matamau Dairy Co., pointing out the serious depletion of skilled dairy factory staffs caused through the ballots and asking that the union take tho matter up. Mr E. Harding moved, and Mr C. R. RedwaTd seconded a resolution that the attention of the proper authorities bo drawn to the urgency of retaining essential men in the cheese and butter industries. The resolution was carried.

The secretary reported that the committee's previous suggestion that dairy farmers bo permitted to use May and Juno petrol coupons during either of these months and similarly during July and August had been passed on by the Dominion secretary to the Oil Fuel "Controller, and the Controller had replied that it was impossible to decide the matter at present on account of the position as to supplies, but that the claims of dairy farmers would receive consideration when the matter was being dealt

with. Mr K. Harding reported at length on the proceedings at the Dominion Dairy Conference, the reports of which were published at the time. It was, ho conoludod, going to be a difficult year for farmers. From sonic lines, such as bobby calve* and boner cattle, they might lose all their revenue and yet they must preserve the calve* owing to their relation to the cheese industry. In spite of the difficulties, the

farmers must endeavour to produce more and to milk more cows wherever possible. The chairman, in thanking Mr Harding for his rcnort on behalf of the committee, said that the loss due to the non-export of some classes of meat should be spread over the whole community. Mr - G. Edwards asked for information as to whether the guaranteed price equal-

led London parity. Members were of opinion that the price paid out for cheese was eight shillings a hundredweight below London parity. The secretary reported that the only reply received so far from the Government had been that all that was received was being paid out. In view of the suggestion that there was to be a further change-over to cheese, in order to avoid last-minute changes in plans of factories and farmers Mr H. A. Olsen moved and Mr Leach seconded a resolution that the Dairy Division be written to requesting that, in the event of further butter suppliers being required to change ovor to cheese production, the necessary arrangements be made by the end of May. The resolution was carried. Mr Olsen moved that the authorities be requested to ensure that those farmers producing dairy produce of a satisfactory quality should not bo compelled to build new sheds during the war and that those farmers who had been, or will in the future be, required to build sheds, should be supplied with roofing iron. Mr Leach seconded the motion, and, referring to recent prosecutions, reminded those present of a previous official promise that farmers would not be Tequired to rebuild during the war. The resolution was carried.