Farmers’ Union Activities

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 145, 22 June 1939, Page 3

Farmers’ Union Activities

WELLINGTON CENTRAL EXECUTIVE The Wellington Central provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union met at Marton on Tuesday, Mr. D. G. Gordon (president) presiding. There were also present Messrs G. R. Lovelock, H. G. Stewart, J. A. Harris, A. Campbell, D. L. Younger, A. Mickleson, H. A. Stewart, F. V. Toulmin, A. Butement, R. C. R. Hamilton, D. Cameron, J. Kilgour, A. C. Birch, J. R. L. Hammond, E. B. Gordon, M.P., A. Fannin, M. Anderson.

Before the ordinary business was taken the president referred to the passing of Mr. James Watson, provincial secretary of the Wairarapa executive, recalling that he died a few days after the annual inter-provincial conference. Members stood in silence in recording their sympathy.

It was announced that a new sharemilking agreement had been arrived at between the Farmers’ Union and the New Zealand Workers’ Union. It was agreed to obtain copies of the agreement for the use of branches.

A letter was received from headquarters of the union advising the itinerary of the Lime Commission which was investigating the lime industry. The union was represented on the commission and it was desirable to secure all the information possible for presentation to the commission, which would be visiting Palmerston North on July 17 and 18.

Details of the Government’s subsidised labour scheme for farm improvement were made available in a letter from the Minister in charge. The subsidy was payable on a contract basis and farmers taking advantage of the scheme were required to lodge applications with the Labour Department. Headquarters submitted further information respecting the idea of establishing commodity councils to deal with the marketing of primary produce. These councils would, it was intended, co-operate with other members of the Empire with the object of regulating supplies to the British market. It was stated that it was a matter for producers themselves to take up and particularly so by reason of the threat of more quotas. Mr. Hammond reported briefly on the matter of the disposal of the surplus mutton and said that discussions had taken place last week with the Meat Board, which was fully alive to the present situation. Although no information was available as to what measures would be taken, it was likely that an announcement would be forthcoming in the near future. Mr. A. C. Birch was elected to represent the executive on the Wanganui District Young Farmers’ Club movement.