Fanners in Conference

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 126, 31 May 1944, Page 7

Fanners in Conference

The inter-provincial conference of the Farmers’ Union was held in Palmerston North yesterday, delegates representing tho Wanganui, Wellington Central, Manawatu, Wairarapa and MakaraHutt areas. Mr. Hugh Morrison (Mastorton) presided and in his address stressed the need for increased production to meet the demands of Britain and the Allies. He also spoke of the need for an overhaul of the taxation fanners had to face. The farmer had to bear more than any other section of the community when rates and other charges were all added together. If; more production were necessary. If i farmer should have money to carry out the programme instead of it being taken away from him. Mr. Morrison also stressed the need for one big federation of primary interests as they had in England. “Get together and don’t split up,” he urged. Speaking of labour being made available for farms, Mr. Mulholland (Dominion President) urged that it be quickly absorbed. The farming community must get behind the appeal from Britain for more food. Remits carried were as follows: — “That this branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union press for the derating of farm lands so far as hospital and road rates are concerned.” “That in view of the ever-increasing hospital rate, this conference asks that the present Government subsidy be increased by a grant from the Social Security Fund.” “That provincial executives of the Farmers’ Union shall convene a meeting each year of employers of sharemilkers, who are members of the Farmers’ Union, and such meeting shall appoint a committee to deal with matters affecting sharemilking, each committee so appointed to send two delegates to an annual conference, convened by the executive of tho New Zealand Farmers’ Union and presided over by one appointed by the executive of tho New 1 Zealand Farmers’ Union; that confer ence to appoint two delegates who, to gether with one appointed by th executive to the N.Z.F.U. as cliairmar shall constitute the employers' commit tee for the year.” “That this conference strongly supports the proposal for the formation of a Wool Board for the purpose of handling this produce instead of the existing Wool Council, with its limited activi ties. ’ ’ “That the Department of Agriculture take necessary measures to introduce a system of age marking ewe Jambs that will be uniform throughout New Zealand, such system to be a live-year-cycle, and to be brought into effect after five years’ notice.” “That the Government be requested to supply farmers with their quota of fertiliser, cither straight super, or lime and super, or serpentine, as he, the farmer, desires.” ‘ ‘ That this conference urges, in the interests of increased production, the complete review of fertiliser allocations with a view to a more equitable distribution and the removal of existing anomalies.” “That this conference considers tha. the sale of electricity per bulk licenses to cities and large towns be discontinued, and that these areas be merged with rural areas with a flat rate for both town and country areas.” 11 That this conference approves of the appointment of a committee representative of the provincial executives for the purpose of providing for the costs and the payment of services in connection with the representation of primary producers’ interests at sittings of the Transport Tribunal and Licensing Authorities.” 1 ‘ That sufficient petrol bo made available to enable a farm worker to make at least one trip per fortnight to a town as a means of making farm life more attractive.” “That all stock mineral foods come under the Stock Remedies Act.” “That breed societies be asked to select a number of practical men to represent them on a mission to Britain at the expense of the State. The object of the mission is to let breeders see the conditions overseas so that they might be in a position to advise their own organisations on the availability, quality and purchase of stud stock.”

The unproductive lands of North Auckland, says Forest and Bird, only need the big minds with vision and enterprise to be converted into the wealthiest and most continually prosperous part of New Zealand. Tho climate is extremely favourable to the ro-establishment of native bush and the district will grow in great profusion most of the valuable native timberproducing trees.