FARMERS’ UNION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 22 May 1936, Page 7

FARMERS’ UNION

NELSON PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE THE MONTHLY MEETING CONSIDERATION OF REMITS TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE At the monthly meeting of the Nelson Provincial Executive of the New Zealand banners’ Union, the consideration of remits to tlie thirty-fifth annual conference of the Now Zealand Farmers’ Union was continued. Mr K. J. Iloiyoake, M.P., was in the chair. A remit was forwarded by the Riwaka Branch “That this Conference urge the Government to make a boarding or travelling allowance available for children attending secondary schools in districts where free railway conveyance does notapply.” Mr D. I. Llewelliu, speaking to the remit said that he hoped members realised tlie position of children in the back country, away from the railway line, for whom no concessions were made at all. The Union should impress on the Government the disabilities under which the back country children suffer. He instanced the case of the Ngatimoti children who wished to attend the Motueka High School. They were forced to use bicycles to go to and fro, or as an alternative pay a boarding fee!

Mr R. YV. Benseman supported Mr Llewelliu. He said that tlie local railway which transported children to school in the city free, was running at a loss. He saw no reason why children living away from the railway should not be provided for. After further discussion that remit was carried.

A remit by the Tadmor-Matariki Branch “That ill the opinion of this Executive the time has arrived when County Councils should undertake the responsibility of keeping road frontages free from noxious weeds,” was moved by Mr D. I. Llewelliu He said that the time had come when County Councils should keep road frontages free of noxious weeds. The method of keeping one’s own frontage clean was obsolete, as the conscientious mart who did the work paid for the man who did not. Mr Patterson said that the County Councils would have to pay men up to 16s per day to do the work, and this money would have to come from the farmers.

Mr Newport stated that where the Council workmen did the work there was a little unfairness displayed, and certain localities were favoured. The remit was carried. “That each Branch be supplied with a copy of Dominion Headquarters balance sheet.” (YVaimea Branch). Mr Johnston moved an amendment to this remit favouring having the balance sheet printed in “Point Blank.” Mr L. B. Robinson thought that “Point Blank” was hardly the place to put a copy of the balance sheet, as it was a public magazine. The amendment was lost. Mr R. C. T. Rains said that not all the branches would require a copy of Lhe balance sheet. He moved a further amendment that copies of the balance sheet be prepared at the provincial office and forwarded to members as required. On the amendment being lost, the original remit was carried. “That this Branch of the Farmers’ Union is of the opinion that the subscription to the Fanners’ Union should be reduced.” (YVaimea Branch)^ The chairman stated that the Union’s reserve fund some time ago was in the vicinity of £BOOO whereas now it was more like £4OOO. Even with the present subscription of 6s per member, tile Union would probably still be drawing on its reserves. The remit was lost. 1

Further remits were as follows: “That this Branch of the Farmers’ Union considers that a printed receipt showing the period of membership should he forwarded to the Branch Secretary immediately after a member’s order has been presented.” (Dovedale Branch). The remit was lost “That this Branch protests against fanning partners coming into the Union Branch). under one subscription.” (Dovedale The remit was withdrawn. '.''That consideration be given to having a fixed date for the Nelson Provincial Executive meetings.” (Moutere Branch). The remit was withdrawn. “That the Executive be asked to give consideration to more interest in branches.” (Wakefield Branch). It was suggested that the branches should take advantage of the knowledge acquired by well-travelled members of the Union," and that there should he an inter-change of visitors. The chairman thought the idea a very good one, and the remit was carried. ° A remit front the YVaimea Branch “That owing to serious less of lambs

from lung worm throughout New Zealand, we would urge upon the Government the necessity of impressing upon farmers the need for using effective remedial measures” was withdrawn. “That the earmark in cattle be legalised as in sheep.” (Wakapuaka Branch). —Carried. “That as New Zealand is a primary producing country requiring overseas markets for the sale of her surplus products. the said markets requiring that we take manufactured goods in return, we would urge upon the Government the necessity of (1) the lowering of farm costs; (2) the directing and assisting of more of our farm population in employment on land in preference to fostering protecting uneconomical industries; (3) the keeping of farm values at a level that, while giving to the seller a fair return for improvements, will also give to the purchaser a reasonable chance to make a living.” (Waimea. Branch). Mr S. E. O’Hara in moving the remit’on behalf of the Waimea branch considered that New Zealand would'be for the next 500 years a primary-pro-ducing country. The first two sections of the remit were carried. Mr E. S. Wratt opposed the third portion of the remit which he considered interfered with the rights of private ownership. Mr L. B. Robinson spoke of the necessity of protecting the farmer against his own rashness. A large proportion of his troubles had been that the farmers had in many cases given up farming the land and started out to farm the land markets. The president (Mr K. J. Holyoake) saw no reason why a farmer should not squander what he wanted to if he wanted to, but land should never be loaded with farm mortgages. He moved an amendment: “The keeping of farm mortgages at a level that will ensure to the purchaser a reasonable chance to make a living.” Messrs J. Dicker, R. C. T. lvaine, and 0. C. Wilkinson, supported the amendment, which was carried.