NOTES FROM EXECUTIVE MEETING.

Northland Age, Volume 19, Issue 32, 10 November 1921, Page 5

NOTES FROM EXECUTIVE MEETING.

■•The most notable feature of the meeting was the businesslike ceini y with which the proceedings were got through. The members had all come long distances, over rough roads, and recognising 1 ‘ neiessily of getting away beiore dark ail speech -. were commendably brief, and to the point. Another feature was the cordiality and unanimity of the meeting.

Every member was whole-heartedly in favour of breaking away from Auckland, and forming a separate Provincial District. In the discussion Mr. Harding said that forming a separate Provincial District seemed our only chance of getting a representative at the Dominion Conference, which, alter all, was what counted. Mr. Holder: “ Our wants are not identical with other parts of Auckland, and for that reason we are neglected.” Mr. L. H. Bell thought immediate preliminary steps should be taken to break away, and form an autonomous body of our own.

In introducing his motion asking the Government to invite tenders from shipping concerns for the conveyance of outprimary products, Mr. Garton said the matter was of vital importance. Nothing was being done by the Government, and a resolution from this body might help. An already bad position was made worse by the extortionate cost of shipping. Competition is wanted, but cannot be got unless invited. In supporting, Mr. Holder said the farmers were right up against it. The charges on wool, for instance, were scandalous. It was costing now 4d per pound for what was formerly carried for td. We should push this matter. “We must do something,” said Mr. Hayes. “It is no good rearing cattle at the present prices. If freights are not reduced we must go out of stock-raising.” Mr. Bell agreed with the motion, so far as it went, but believed the Government should start its own line of steamers; but other speakers pointed out that the present financial stringency would not permit of this. Mr. Holder pointed out that there is an enormous amount of idle shipping in the ports of the world to-day and there should be no difficulty in getting tenders. The President thought this one of the best moves the Executive had made, and congratulated Mr. Garton on his motion. The motion was carried.

A resolution was carried, on ‘the motion of Mr. Harding, seconded by Mr. Holder, “ That it be urged upon the Government that attempts be made for the better distribution of our products at Home, in order that the producer should reap a greater benefit from his labour than under the present system.” In moving the motion Mr. Harding' said that the difference between prices here and at Home was extraordinary. The trouble was mostly caused by the meat combines. Vestcy’s had done more harm than all the

American combines. Although classed as a loyal British firm they had, during the war, changed domicile to avoid taxation. Now they control 3,600 retail shops. Mr. Seddon’s suggestion to have their own shops at Home, though ridiculed, was a step in the right direction. It should be possible for the Government and the co-operative companies, in combination, to get control of-retail shops, and so avoid middlemen’s profits. Mr. Holder said we had not to go outside New Zealand to see the result of the workings of combines, as witness what happened in Nelson years ago in connection with the marketing of fruit. Continuing Mr. Harding said that the Queensland Government, although it would not do to follow it in many things, had grappled with this problem, gone in for the distribution of the country’s products, and obtained good results. There were two problems to be faced —transit, which Mr. Garton’s motion dealt with, and distribution, which his motion covered.