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FARMERS’ UNION

The most satisfactory and highly encouraging conlerence of the Farmers' Union held in the North fur a long lime was that of il legates from the sub-provincial district of the Bay of is'auds, held in Kritaiu on Thursday last.

The delegates to the conference arrived for the most part on Wednesday atternoon, so as to bo present ai the mass meeting of farmers held in the evening, in the A & P Hall.

Shortly after 9 a.m on Thursday the conference opened and the president, Mr H Roberts briefly extended a welcome to the delegates and to,a targe number of farmers wno attended to listen to the deliberations of the ir reptesentatives on the various remiis comprising the aggenda paper. "I am plea'‘ , 'l to see Colonel Be ll with u.s to- ay,” ol).-> r- I ved Mr Roberts, "an 1 ;Vlr L lerl y, ma iagcr of the Moerewa Freeing Work:, and I extend a hearty welcome to these gentlemen and to any other visitors present. THE ROLL CALL. The roll call showed that in addition to the members of the executive of the Sub-proyincia! Union, the following delegates were present: Kaitaia —Messrs A W Masters and G Hodgson Peria—Mr Green Fairburn—Mr T J Coulter Kohumaru—Mr R T Wrathall Waipapa—Messrs A E Robinson and H Bates Wuimate North—Messrs T L Ferguson and H H Hatrick Pakaraka—-Messrs E L Walker and C Jones Kawakawa—Mr C J Cookson Opua—Messrs Shortridge and Lane. Takahue—Mr A, McL. Wright. Kaeo, Kaikohe and Broadwood were not represented. Mr. J Garton proposed: That the members ot the Executive have full rights with respect to all matters before the conference. Mr. Wrathall seconded.

Mr. Cookson moved as an amendment: That the resolution reads that whereas there is no delegate or representative appointed that an Executive member net for his branch. Mr. E L Walker seconded. The amendment was carried on the voices. TIME-KEEPER

Mr. E L Walker was appointed time-keeper, and it was decided that movers of remits be limited to live minutes and all other • peakers to three minutes. WELCOME TO KAITAIA

Coionel Allen Bell M Pin the absence of the County Chairman Mr A H Long and the Chairman of the Town Board Mr. J T B Taaffe. alter the minutes had been read and confirmed, welcomed members of the conference to Kaitaia and wished them all tally good luck m their deliberations. Referring 10 the Aggenda Paper, Colonel Bell said lie wanted to speak to members of the conference on the subject of the Arbitration Court. This was one of the most important questions tail could come before the cotf ,-rencr. He had brought up this matter in the House pointing out the disabilities the farmers were under in connection with it. He was disappoint* il to find there was no support for the farming Community. "Going on as we arc” said Colonel Bel! "there is no possible hope for the farming

•community where wages are pushed up year after year in all other lines ot industry. The only Pone is not the abolition of the Court, but what we want to see is taat the Court is worked on such tines that payment is made on

SUB-PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE BAY OF ISLANDS ORGANISATION HELD IN KAITAIA MOST SATISFACTORY GATHERING

production. That is what they are doing in America and what they arc trying to do in Italy. As far as I can gather the American manufacturer does not care a twopenny dump how much a man earns. He is paid bv results The President of the Court takes nothing into consideration but the cost of living. I strongly urge your conference to discuss this question and see if you can’t back up this claim for an alteration in the Court and see that the farmers are represented on it. Unquestionably the Dairy Control Board that thing which is causing so much trouble, and in connection with which we have arrived at a dead end it will all depend upon what the farming community does when the new Board is elected, and unless the farmers stand fast, then I am attain we have turned back the nands of the clock. I urge the farmers to stick by the Board even if it means losing the whole output for a year. Unless that Board is supported on full control and price naming then the Board will most likely go out of existence altogether. Mark you this. When that election takes place thousands of pounds will be spent and nothing will be left undone to see that the man returned to the Board is opposed to control and if the farmers do not stand together then the hands of the clock will be turned back many years. Once having gone into the fight the thing was to stick right to the last until we were defeated, instead of throwing in the towel at the first stop. As far as control boards are concerned, whether they are meat boards, kauri gum control boards or whatever they are. I am strongly of the opinion that the men who compose these boards should be men connected with these industries, and as far as Government representatives are concerned, the sooner we get them thrown 'overboard the better.” (Hear! 1 Hear!) Mr. Laertv manager of Moerewa Freezing Works, briefly addressed the conference. He said : You : all know the farmers’ freezing 1 works are owned by farmers and j run by farmers There are lots ! of things the farmers do not know I about their works, and if anyone ! has any questions to ask, 1 will ! be only too pleased to give them I the information they desire. The Chairman moved: That • hearty votes of thanks be acI corded Colonel Bell and Mr. Lacrty fur attending the conferj euce. | Mr. J. Garton seconded. I Carried by acclamation. | PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 1 The retiring President, Mr. H. Roberts, delivered his annual addrese which was as follows : J Gentlemen. The year that has : ended with this conference, has been a particularly strenuous one for the Union and the several matters that have received most attention, are of considerable importance. Before touching on | these matters I wish to refer to an 1 important development of the j Union’s activities, which may i have far reaching effects, I refer ! to the formation of the Womens division, this division, ranks, at present, as a separate province for organisation purposes, and is represented, as such in the deliberations of the Dominion Conference and Executive. It is said that the ladies, and particularly farmers’ wives, are not so susceptible to the blandishments of halftruths of interested newspaper propaganda, as are those who : hold the courtesy title of head of ■ the family. If this turns out to be 1 to e, we eagerly welcome this j adoition to the Union and we I trust that tljey will speak with no

uncertain voice in adding their protests to ouis against the explanation of the farming community by the money lending and wage earning classes in the Dominion.

The season just closing has been a phenominal one as regards productivity and the prices which our produce have realised in European currency have been quite good but one is compelled to admit that the farmers of the Dominion are having a severe struggle to make ends meet, than they have had for many years. It has become such a commonplace remark as to excite no particular comment, when one hears that so and so has walked off his farm, and we have it on the authority of the Government Statistician that, despite the immigration of some 10,000 persons per annum, most of whom, the immigration officer states, ninety t* work on the land. There are over 9,000 less persons engaged in farming pursuits than there were three years ago. The cause of ail this is of course the ever increasing costs of production, and the marketing of our produce.

The Union in season and out of season has been proclaiming the truth from the house-tops prescribing the remedy and directing the attention of Ministers to the problems before the country. The unjustifiable dearness of money is one of the contributing causes to the excessive cost ot production, the Union has been agitating for years for the setting up of an agricultural bank such as has been established in more progressive countries, and a commission was sent abroad to study the workings of these banks. The scheme was bitterly opposed by the associated banks in New Zealand on the grounds that it was ‘‘contrary to all the sound principles of banking,” but when the Commission was nearing the coast of New Zealand on its home ward journey the Bank of New Zealand announced that it proposed to come to the rescue of farmers and to devote some of its profits in the philanthropic action of lending money to farmers and at so low a rate of interest as to be uneconomic. A paean of praise was sung the next morning simultaneously by all the big city press of New Zealand. The heroic self-sacrifice of the bank was loudly applauded. Sir Joseph Ward asked in the House that the other banks in the Dominion should be accorded similar priveleges of self-sacrifice, and today the shares which the Bank of New Zealand were authorised to issue for this particular' purpose, and of which 5/- per share is paid up are quoted on the market at 12/2, an increase in value of over 140%.

it is a matter of history how Parliament played ducks and drakes with the report of the Agricultural Banking Commission, and this episode with other actions of the Government have, I think, clearly demonstrated that the farmers have little to hope for from any of the existing political parties unless they unite and make their influence felt at the poll. The protective tariff question has been very much to the fore, and as the import duties on the necessities of life, add so materially to the cost of production, by the depreciation of the purchasing power of the European curerncy which the farmer is compelled to accept in exchange for his produce. The Union has embodied in its platform, “That taxation through the Customs shall be for the purpose of raising revenue and not for protective purposes.” Practically every section of the community in New Zealand rather than the farmers is sheltering under a high protective tariff, and it is an axiom of economics that sections of a community can only be sheltered at the expense of the remainder. An insistent demand has been made recently by the industries thus sheltered in New Zealand, for still higher protective tariffs, and the Government have set up a commission, which is now sitting to take evidence in camera in support of these demands, and this will result in the farmers shilling having an even smaller purchasing power than it has to-day.

There are many other matters of national importance such as the Dairy Control Board which was dealt with at the special mass meeting last Wednesday evening which I should bring before your notice, but if I allude to them even briefly this address would be to lengthy for the limited time at our disposal. In closing this address I feel that it it my boundeh duty to emphasise as strongly as it is possible for a being to do so. the absolute necessity for unity amongst the farmers of the Dominion. Every other section of the community is organised and many of them powerfully organised, it is interest in human nature that the strong shall exploit the weak, and the unorganised farmers are the natural prey, of the other sections, who as a result of their organisation are able to take a hand in the making of the rules under which the game of life is played. There is no reason why history should not repeat itself, so that the conditions in New Zealand become similar to those in the | older settled countries, where farmers thought luck of organisation, have been driven down into a mere peasantry, the lowest social arid political stratum. The New Zealand Farmers Union is not all is should be by a long way, but it is the only influence, as I view the situation, winch stands between the farmers and a condition of semi-serf-dom. There are many black clouds in our sky, but I detect a silver lining. Farmers throughout the Dominion are giving more and better economic situation, they are realising that is is no time to be worrying over the united bootlace, while the house is on fire, matters of local and even parochial consideration which, in the past loomed most largely on the mental horizon are now being relegated to their true position of secondary importance to the great National and Imperial questions which so immediately affect the prosperity of the Dominion and each individual member of it. The Union is well in the van. There is still room for improvement but it is as though the Union had been put through the seperator during the period of shall I say —unpopularity through which it has passed, during the last few years, and it is emerging freed from the froth and skim and in some senses stronger than it has ever been before.

At this stage it was agreed to take the election of officers after the luncheon adjournment and a start was then' made with the remits.

The first remit on the order paper was one from the Executive “That this Conference has implicit faith in Mr Grounds, the Chairman of the Dairy Control Board, and the fair marketing policy advocated by him. Mr Hatrick (Waimate North) was the mover. He said the remit was simplicity itself. “I heard him last night, and the first time I heard him was twelve months ago. Up till last night I may have had secret doubts about the position, but in view of the manner he dealt with the question of control I don’t think there is anything further to be said. He completely confounded all his critics. I formally move the remit.

Mr G Hodgson (Kaitaia): I dont think the remit requires any explanation after the meeting last night. I think we are all of one mind and that is that the Dairy Control Board cannot function successfully unless the compulsory clauses are maintained. I second the motion. Captain Rushworth: This morning I handled a manuscript in pencil in a few lines written by a local resident Qn the subject of Mr Grounds, and it is entitled “Ode to Mr Grounds.” This is published elsewhere at the commencement of the report of Mr Grounds’ address. Captain Rushworth after having read the “Ode” said: Last night I had the plsasure of a chat with Mr Grounds, and I asked him if he could explain how? it was that two wholesalers, in as much i

as they have been reported to have telegraphed their objection to the agitation against the Control Board, which purported to come from the Tooley Street merchants. He gave me a fairly good explanation, but still I am a little puzzled. These two firms are among the largest handling our produce, and they have refused to be associated with what they consider dishonourable proceedings. I did not know there were two large firms in existence who would have any scruples at all. An American business man once said: ’'There is honour among thieves, and it is that which distinguishes thieves from American businessmen,” (Laughter). These two firms should decide this definition. (Laughter). There is another point, and this relates to Mr Grounds personally. I pointed out to him that if he had been a good boy and had played the game as he was required to play it, his future would have been rosy. He looked at me, and said “1 have been approached from every direction.” I replied to him, "Your luck was out, and the only thing you will get out of it is a grave among the rocks.” I asked him if he had ever seen Punch, and he said “Zes.” 1 reminded him of that famous cartoon published early in the Great War. It was a picture of the German Kaiser and King Alfred of Belgium. The Kaiser said to King Alfred : “You see you fool you have lost everything,” and the King of the Belgians replied: “Yes I have lost everything, b ujt no t myself.” (Applause). The remit was carried amid applause.

PROTECTIVE TARIFFS

"This Conference protests against the continuance of the policy whereby certain industries in New Zealand are heavily subsidised by Protective Tarriffs at the expense of the exporting primary producers and calls for the gradual reduction of the unfair and excessive load ot taxation which farmers are called upon to bear.”

Captain Rushworth moved the adoption of the remit. He said the Govern, ment has set up a Commission and that Commission is taking evidence from the various industries who are askiig for higher protection. It is a truism that the Government would not have set up this Commission and the trouble it involved unless it proposed to do something. Protective tariffs is the starting point upon which all the high cost of production commences. You have had this thrown at you until you are sick of it. Captain Colbeck has given it to you from the very commencement of protection. As soon as a protective duty was imposed then the workers went to the Arbitration Court for an increase in wages on account of the increased cost of living. Then the manufacturers themselves find that they cannot carry on and they ask for more protection. W hen these protective tariffs were introduced more than fifty years ago, it was laid down quite definitely that they were only required for a year or two. But they had been getting higher and higher, and have been raising wages and salaries as fast as may be. The retired Civil servant is trying to live on a fixed income and they are as a class very much alive to the situation. The Farmers’ Union has had letters from all parts of the Dominion from all classes «f society wish - ing the Union the best of luck. The fact is that we must make a start in getting the cost of production down. It is no use trying to cut down wages until we cut down the cost of living. I was told by a man that in the old days he received 8s a day and did well on it, aud one day’s labour was paid as his rent. Now be gets 15s a day and has to pay two and a half days’ wages as rent. If we try to cut down wages before we cut down the cost of living, there will be starvation and possibly revolution. (Applause).

Mr J. M. Dawson seconded the motion He said: Books have been written on this subject, newspapers have been full of it, and conference has thrashed it out. Protective tariffs are keeping the farmers and the people of New Zealand as a whole poor to-day. I could give you instances of the effect of protection on the boot trade. Until such time as we can have this unfair taxation wiped out altogether and payment of wages made on production, the farmers will have to struggle harder and harder still.

Mr. Hatrick: Both the previous speakers have mentioned boots, aud we have had the boot put in for a number of years.” Mr. Hatrick quoted a case of Can Washing Machine Manufacturing Companv who wanted a protective duty imposed on similar machines to enable it to build up a business, quoting extracts from a

published newspaper report to give emphasis to his point, Mr.Shortridge (Opua): rhe tariff question to mind tnyis theonly question that is of any importance whatever. We can keep all our costs and everything if the tariff question is never settled satisfactorarily. The policy of the Government is piling up protection in an endeavour to establish secondary industries behind a tariff wall. Every import duty of 25% means that a farmer with a thousand pounds has the purchasing power reduced by 4:250, and protective tariffs are reducing primary production to a condition of stagnation. More than that farmer- are leaving the land. The unemployed question can be directly traced to this policy of trying to bolster up secondary industries behind a tariff barrier.

Mr A E Robinson: Only propaganda can do ail this remit aims ar. The other people are very busy. You will never get far ahead unless you can make this a main plank in your platform you wont get very far. It.' as Mr Miortri ige lias Slid, th e key to the whole position. It had be. n said that the tariffs were merely for the purpose of revenue and that it was only 25%, but it had to be rememberer! that it was not'lie original tariff which hit the people. It was the increase ni3(ie poss. ible to the buyers of goods by ihe very

existence of a tariff. It was an easy way of getting revenue but it was the most cosily to the community. Although it was not recognised as a tax, it was the most dreadful tax that could be imposed upon the people.

Replying Captain Rushworth said It was perfectly true what protective tariffs were being used for. They were being used to bolster up home industries, ft is an anomaly to say that protective tariffs are used for the purpose of raising revenue. In point of fact these tariffs prevented goods from coming into the country and therefore no revenue was derived in such instances. The whole thing was a hoax and it had been juggled to enable the Government to raise money in cases where tiie tariff did not prevent goods from coming into the country altogether, in an expensive manner. Tiie whole argument in favour of the tariff was au endeavour to boost the secondary industries. It wasan uneconomic method and economic industries would progress better without the existence of a tariff than with it. If protective tariffs are to be used to encourage the creation of uneconomic industries the replv of the farmers should be, "we are too poor aud we can’l carry them on our backs." It had been computed that we could pension the whole of the operatives in the texile, boot, and other trades in this country on full pay and the saving gain to the country would be £335.000 per annum. These figures were compiled by the Government btatistioian. The remit was carried unanimously. MEAT PRODUCERS’ BOARD The Executive put forward the following remit:—That this conference considers that the time has come when members of the Meat Board should be elected direct by the sheep owners under thei ward system, and that the chairman of this Borxd be elected by the Board, and that three members representing the dairy industry be added to the Meat Producers’ Board, and that such additional members be elected—one annually at the Dairy Control election.

Mr. E. L. Walker moved the remit He said that the method of choosing the Board at present was far from satisfactory aud the individual producer had little power to make any inquiries or suggestions with a view to improving it. If the proposals in the remit were given effect to, it would bring the individual into closer touch with the election. “We artasking for a new system,” continued Mr. Walker, “and we are asking that the Chairman of th. Meat Producers’ Board shall be appointed by the members of that Board. In view of the importance of the pork and bacon industry, which is almost as important to dairy farmers as is the cheese and butter industry we have a right to some say in this matter. W e have been told times without number the extent of the pig and bacon industry in Denmark, and the trade in England tell us of the quantities that they could take and the stipulations made as to the breed and quality; and that if they could get the article they could take millions of pounds worth from us. Yet the one incentive to assist the farmers in organising the pork and ha:on industry in Ne w Zealand is lacking. We have no repre - sentation on the Meat Producers’ Board. Therefore the dairy farmers are asking that they shall have representation on this Board. The claim is that the Board shall be elected by the producers themselves. Mr. J. Garton (Oruru) seconded the adoption of the remit. He said that at present the system was somewhat unique.. “You vote for somebody in a certain district, and he goes and votes according; to his likes,” said Mr. Garten. “We want that altered, and the farmers gtven,

an opportunity of exercising a vote apart from a lot of sheepowners. We have never had an opportunity to do this up to the present." Referring to the growth of the pig industry in Denmark, Mr. Garton said that it was as great if not greater than the butter industry. There was no reason why it should not be greater than on the basis of one pig to ten cows. Therefore the remit asked that something be given the farmers which will entitle them to representation on tile Meat B oard.

Mr Shortridge (Opua): I suggest as a rider to the remit, “That all producers boards shall be the producers themselves.

The president: I cannot accept that

Mr A E Robinson: The reason why three dairy farmer representatives have been suggested is that one shall be elected annually. It is a much milder remit than has been put forward before. It is quite fair to ask for some voice in the selection of the members of the Meat Board. The remit asks for representation on the board and considering that the board consists of nine members, the request for a third of these to represent the dairy farmers is not considered excessive. Captain Rushworth: I support the remit, The dairy farmers are organised into nine wards, and three wards come up for election annually for the Dairy Control Board. In the present year you have an election in the Waikato, Taranaki and Canterbury districts. Supposing this scheme was operative now. In addition to three men for the Dairy Control Board we would be electing one of the Meat Producers Board. Mr Hatrick: The Sovernment representative must be wiped right off the slate. I support that point. With respect to the election of a representative on the Dairy Control Board it is going back to the old condition of affairs, whereby the North Island and the South Island will each constitute one ward. In such an event you will be asked to support a man whose qualifications you have no knowledge of. The idea lends itself to the old system which was simply deplor. able. I see no reason why the dairy farmers should not have representation on the Meat Producers’ Board, It would be tar better in many respects. I see also V the possibility of the Meat Board wanting ■ representation on the Dairy Control P Board. Mr R Walker: Does it mean that each member will serve a term of three years. Mr G JHodggon Kaitaia: The time has come when the Producers’ representatives must be elected by the producers themI selves. Mr. Cookson (Kawakawa]: It has been suggested that if the dairymen claim the right to elect a representative on the

Meat Board, that they will be opening the way to the Meat producers to ask to be represented on the Dairy Control Board. The meat producer has no commodity to sell through the Dairy Control J Board, whereas the dairyman sell his • meat through the Meat Board. Mr. E L Walker: If you are not going * to take a determined stand in favour of having a representative on the Meat Board, who is going to complete the work in connection with the huge bacon industry we hope to work up, in this country. So far as the producers of mutton are concerned, unless the individual produces both mutton and butter he does not want to be represented on the Dairy Producers Board. There are many in this room entitled to vote for a representative on both Boards. I don’t think that a man handling sheep only will want anything to do with a board entirely confined to dairy produce. The Dairy Control Board has sufficient to do to mind its own business' but I think the dairy farmers of New Zealand are entitled to be represented on the Meat Producers Board because I hope in the near future to see a large quantity of pork go abroad to be made into bacon. The remit was adopted, THE PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE. The question arose as to the number of delegates to be sent to the Provincial Conference to be held at Whangarei in May. The President said the Sub-Provincial District of the Bay of Islands was entitled i to eight or ten delegates. This did not but the Conference would defray the expenses of the number allowed. Mr, Garton moved that eight delegates . be sent. MEDICAL ATTENTION Captain Rushworth in the absence of a representative of the Taheke branch of the Union moved the following remit: That this Conference considers that the Government should subsidise one Wr medical man in each County so as to be L- within reach of backblock settlers at reasonable fees, i Mr- T. Wrathall tecondcd, siting

the case of the treatment of indigent natives .

Mr. Masters moved as an amendment : That the remit be referred back to the Teheke branch. Mr. Cookson seconded.

Captain Rushworth replying said there were frequently cases of distress in the backblock", on account of medical aid. There were places where doctors could qot be got for any amount of money. He quoted a case of a man who made desperate eff rrts to get assistance iti a case of confinement but could not get medical attention. The confinement took place :in his absence, and the only person ther e was a girl eight years old. Another instance of a min cutting his foot badly with an axe, and no doctor could be got to attend to this mtn under a fee of from anything from ten to fitly guineas. If theremitwas earned the bickb'.ockers would be able to demand attention as of right. The min would piy a certain amount and the Government the remainder. It would be a Dominion wide scheme. The amendment was carried, and the remit referred back to the branch. RURAL DELIVERY Captain Rushworth for Taheke moved: That the Government be urged to make rural mail deliveries free to settlers providing rural boxes. Mr. Masters seconded. Mr Hatrick moved an amendment Tnat the Government be urged to reduce the charges for rural deliveries and also to reduce the annual subscriptions for telephones and trunk calls in rural districts. He said that the people iu the large centres had miny advantages so far as the public utilities such as telephones were concerned, and it would only be a small matter to give this concession to the rural dwellers. There was no seconder for the amendment, and the remit was rejected on the voices. ORGANISING THE FARMERS Mr Shortridge (Opua) moved : That this conference considers that the Government's policy is unduly influenced by the commercial and wage-earning classes, and calls on farmers to organise in their own defence, and in defence of the Dominion whose prosperity is so gravely menaced by such undue influences. Mr Shortridge said: The farmers of New Zealand are being mortgaged by circumstance over which they have no control. Take customs revenue. This takes 25% Of the farmers’ income at one grasp. Then the second mortgage is the city of Auckland loans. The third mortgage is the Auckland Harbour Board’s loans, the payment for these being a levy on shipping. County rates are a fourth mortgage, and what we really call a first mortgage is actually a fifth or sixth mortgage. On a London parity of the exchange value of money, the purchasing power of the farmers’income is £360 in each thousand. The powers that be are really the subscribers to the Party funds. They are endeavouring to build up secondary industries behind a tariff wall. To-day we have a large wage-earning population which can only be kept employed by borrowed money. We get people clamouring tor public works and they are driving the country into a collosal debt. The National debt has increased since 1918 at the rate of six millions per annum, and the public debt tour millions per annum, making a gross indebtedness of ten millions a year. Indirectly and directly the whole load of taxation has gained in extent under the present system to an alarming point of view. The indebtedness of the country is increasing and primary industries are at a stand still. We cannot stop borrowing to-morrow without a crisis. A large population is drifting into the cities. I think we are quite entitled to speak with a firm voice on this question, because it is one that must affect the welfare of every man woman and child in New Zealand. The people who are dependent upon borrowed money to keep them going are really’ parasitical in an economic sense and sooner or later when our credit is exhausted the crash will come. Unless we bring down overhead costs and allow our primary industries to expand then personally I see nothing but disaster ahead of this Dominion. This is a subject which should take five hours to do it justice, and one can only touch the fringe of it in the time allowed.

Captain Rushworth seconded. He said' The position is undoubtedly of extreme gravity. The pities are awake to the fact. In Auckland city there have been two conferences called in consequenoe of the alarming conditions which are apparent on the surface. The first conference was held away back some months ago, and the second took place last week. The conference held in the Town Hall was composed of all kinds of people, and frankly I confess that they were mostly “barrow pushers” and were a clear indication of the way the wind is blowing. There were all sorts asking for some reclamation works, construction of a railway here, there and everywhere: the construction of roads to open up new districts. It was vary perti-

nently pointed out to them that if these works were such wonderfully good investments, how was it that financial institutions did not come along with the money and do the work. The only reason why the Government was asked to come along and do the works asked for was that they are not economic. Our produce is falling off in quantity as well as price. The Government Statistician points out that there are five thousand fewer people on llie land to-day, and there are over ten thousand immigrants coming into the country annually, and the Government Immigration Officer says most of these go on to the land. Therefore we have nine thousand fewer on the land, and they are an added cost or burden on those still remaining on the land. It is absolutely astonishing and it is necessary that someone should take a stand now and take cognisance of the way we are leading to. It is very important that this conference should direct attention to what is happening, pointing out that there is something wrong and that someone should look into it. Mr. Cookson: lam prepared to support the remit. If the people cannot assimilate the volume of information poured down upon them by the Union calling upon them to recognise their position then, then they want a bomb. Mr. Shortridge having replied the remit was endorsed on the voices. WESTFIELD KILLING SPACE Mr. J. W. Jones (Bay of Islands) moved the following remit brought forward by the Executive: That this conference pro. tests against the proposal to extend killing space and other facilities at Westfield Freezing Works. Mr. Jones said: This remit opens up an old question: the thing we have been fighting against for years, and struggling to keep outside capitalists from getting a monopoly over our essential and necessary industry. The Minister for Agriculture in practically all his addresses has stressed the point and has pointed out that the reason that many of the Proprietary Freezing Works are over built is that they have too much room. The effect of this might be expected, but in the -face o* this we have the representations from one of the greatest combines in killing, freezing, and exporting asking for permission to double their killing space in Auckland This application is made at a time when works owned by the Farmers are not working up to capacity. T his application was made some time ago but it was refused, but now there is a movement to bring it up again. Mr. L H Bell (Kaitaia) seconded. He said: The most alarming fact to my mind is that the Chairman of the Meat Producers Board has recommended the Government to grant increased killing space at Westfield when our own works all over the Province are not working full capacity. It seems to me that these trusts are aiming at getting a bigger hold on our produce and after a little time they will probably induce the larmers to send their stock to their works by the payment of 31 little more than the Co-operative work until they get a monopoly of the meat, and then prices will come down. I think this Conference of the Farmers Union should protest strongly against any increase in killing space being granted to Westfield, because we know what surely will happen in connection with our own works if it is granted. Mr. Green [Periaj supported the remit instancing the position of the tarmers works to-day.

Captain Rushworth: One of the speakers has referred to the Meat Producers Board, and it is very important that we should realise exactly what is happening. The Co-operative Freezing Works throughout the Dominion have been in difficulties for some little time. Their difficulties are perfectly plain: they are precisely the same in principle as those from which we are suffering the unconscionable increase in the cost of production. This is perfectly patent. Of course it jumps to the eyes at first that this is the one and only trouble from which they are suffering. It is not as a matter of fact, there is another reason in the insiduous working of the Meat Trusts. There are two meat trusts. There is the American Trust and the Trust in Britain, Vestys. Vestys are working in arrangement with the American Meat Trust. It is a case of David and Goliath and in this case Goliath has reversed the tables. Westfield belongs to Vestys and they have an arrangement with the American Meat Trust that they shall keep out of thier territory, The United States set up a Commission with the object of smashing the Trust, and one of the methods adopted by that Trust with the object of smashing a competitor as unearthed by one oi the cleverest detectives in the United States was that wherever they had a competitor they p(tid a little more than the competitor possibly could do so as to push him off the market, and they rigged things by putting up prices to the consumers on the one hand and squeezing the producers on the other. That has been operating here. Westfield has been paying more than could possibly be paid by Co-operative Works. The Co-operative

Concerns had a scheme for a merger of all the Works in the Dominion, and it was put before tne Government Wellington asked the Farmers Union to help to get it through. Unfortunately the Chairman of the Meat Producers Board got up and poured cold water on the whole thing. Mr. D Jones went round the country holding meetings and explaining that the scheme was not a good one, and that the only thing to do was to cut down costs. He is an extremely amiable and nimble gentleman but he had one or two questions put to him very one to the point. One was with regard to the American Meat Trust, and ha said that he had been to America and he came to the conclusion that the American Meat Trust was a bogey to frighten bad farmers. The whole of the resources of the United States had been placed behind a Commission for the purpose of unearthing the Meat Trust, and they had discovered a coilossas—an organisation that had already obtained a strangle hold of the meat producers and consumers of the world. The United States had made five attempts to smash it and failed, which is perfectly patent considering the International arrangements made by the Ttust. Yet Mr. David Jones who was in the United States five minutes knows more about it than the United States with all its means for securing information. He says it is a lot of nonsense. This position is a particularly serious one, and we have at the head of the Meat Producers’ Board a gentleman who is evidently convinced that the whole thing is a mare’s nest. There are other members of our Executive who do not think it is a myth or that it is a fallacy. The Meat Producers’ Board have asked the Government to give Westfield increased space, a thing they have been opposing for a good many years. THE ARBIT RATION COURT. Mr J C Marsh Kaitaia moved: That this Conference considers that the Arbitration Court should be abolished. Mr Marsh said that what was in the minds of the members of the branch was not the abolition of the Court entirely but that that portion dealing with awards to workmen should be altered in some way. Perhaps a resolution to the effe ct that the Arbitration Court should be reformed might serve the purpose. He said it must be obvious to all of them that the manner in which the Arbitration Court pursues its objects so far as wages were concerned that there was a palpable anomaly, in that no sooner were wages raised than the cost of Jiving commenced to creep up again. He quoted from an article on the subject concerning American production. This stated that since the war it had been possible to obtain greater production and higher wages with a reduced cost of the manutactured product. Mr Marsh said it seemed to him under the present system that the workmen rely more upon the reasoning of their advocates before the Judge of the Arbitration Court, than they do upon the ability of the industry to which they belong to pay higher wages. The manufacturer is forced by the rise in wages to his workmen to increase the cost of his goods, and that very often results in an increased demand from the workmen. It also resulted to some extent in unemployment. He thought that if the workmen couid be shown that by increasing their efficiency and working harder than the manufacturer would be able to pay higher wages without increasing the price of the goods he has to sell.

Captain Rushworth moved; That the Arbitration Court be remodelled for two purposes, including provision for representation on the Court by the primary producers; and that the basis of awards be as on the basis of the requirements of a single man, and that adjustments for wage earners with dependents be made by means of the Family Allowances Act. Mr R T Wrathall moved ; That this conference recommends that an endeavour be made to induce the Government to amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act whereby provision may be made for remodelling the Act and its provisions so as to bring it up-to-date. Colonel Bell M.P.: The Court is simply going on boosting up wages. It means that the Judge of the Arbitration Court takes no cognisance whatever of the question of production. It is simply going on the cost ot living all the time. It is the workingman every time and the workingman himself is boosting up prices on everything to-day; and workingmen will tell you that they were doing better years ago on the then prices of commodities than they are to-day. Y e should demand that the system in this country be altered so as to give an incentive to better men to do their best and that payment shall be on production; Captain Rushworth : That is ideal in theory. How are you going to pay the Public Service on production. There are many cases in which piece work can be carded out, but there are also a large number of people who are engaged on work that does not lend itself to piecework You could argue this point

for the next fifty years and then you would be no nearer a solution. Colodei Bell offered as a solution: That the Arbitration Court be reformed on the lines that where an award is asken for, the Court shall take into consideration the question of payment on production, and that the farming community shall be represented on the Court.

The President appointed Colonel Beil, Captain Rushworth and Mr Cookson to draw up a resolution for a remit. After a protracted sitting this sub-com-mittee returned with the following: “ That this conference considers that the Arbitration Court should be remodelled so that the primary producers shall bavtthe right of representation thereon: that ill dealing with any awards cognisance shall be taken of the economic position of all parties thereto no award being framed or amended unless justified by stub economic position. This was adopted. A S PATERSON & COY.

Two remits from the Waimate North branch: one urging the boycott of A S Paterson & Coy, until the resignation ot Mr Stronach Paterson from the London Office of the Dairy Control Board was effected, and the other calling upon the Prime Minister to relieve Mr Paterson from his position in London were withdrawn. A further remit from the same branch asking for the admission of the Press to all Produce board’s meetings also was withdrawn.

Mr. Garton moved; That where properties have been valued by the County Valuer such valuation be valid lor Advances to Settlers purposes without additional fee any time within three of such valuation.

Mr. R. T. Wrathall seconded pro forma Remit rejected.

Mr Wrathall moved: That this conference considers that the Government should establish manure depots at coastal ports at reduced rates where there were no rail, way lacilities. Mr. Masters seconded.—Rejected. RETALIATION. Mr Garton moved: That this conference takes s trong exception to the operations of the Proprietary Articles Association as set out in the Union’s circular letter dated March 3, 1927.

Mr. Garton said that there were hundreds of articles included in this list and it meant that if any price for one article was not adhered to the offender would not be supplied with any of the hundreds of articles. This was price fixing, and at the same time they were doing their utmost against farmers fixing the price of their butter.

Mr. Robinson seconded: The list contains some 600 articles, he said, and it is price fixing with a vengeance. Captain Rushworth: This forms a useful illustration of price fixing. On the other hand you have the fixing of the price of a commodity on perfectly legitimate lines, and here you have an illustration of price fixing for the purposes of squeezing the consumer. It is a deliberate attempt to control the market.

The remit was adopted. A PORT OF ENTRY

Mr.Cookson moved: That this conference deems it absolutely necessary that the Bay of islands be declared a port of entry. He said: The Minister has said that he could not agree to .it until such time as there was £I2OOO revenue in sight, if the Minister will only look upon the request with anything like a sympathetic eye he will see that there is ample accommodation at Opua and there is freezing accommodation, and there is no reason why he should not he more sympathetic. He is puituig hiinseil 111 the position ol saying that lie does not want any more development in the north.

Mr A McL Wright seconded, jje said that he had always held that the only way to assist the progress of the North was by having a port of entry at Opua, Colonel Bell had always declared that what would add further development of the North more than anything else was by having Opua declared a port of entry. The remit was carried without dissent POLITICAL ACTION. Mr Hodgson Kaitaia, moved in the absence of Mr Marsh: That in the opinion of this conference it is urgently necessary in order to secure recognition of farming interests by whatever Government is in power that the Union should be developed into an active political organisation; and the members should pledge themselves individually and severally to support the representations to and in Parliament. Mr Masters seconded.

Mr Wrathall: This might cause the Union to lose members, because it is well known that there is every shade of politics in the ranks of the Union.

Mr Cookson: I would remind Mr Wrathall or anyone else that the Union has battled so long outside of politics that it has been forced to recognise that without political action it is absolutely useless Colonel Bell: I took a remit to Wellington for political action very nearly twenty yeaas ago. Although I did not like

ome of the things the Farmers Union d in this electorate last election, (Laaghtet let me say this, that until the Union tak political action they are simply beatin the air. Y hen I was president of th Union in the Waikato it cost me £2OO year travelling round lecturing and came to the stage when I had to give up because it cost me too much. though I did not approve of all that th Uuion has done in this electorate 1 mus say that this or any other Uuion will h no good until it takes political action That was my opinion when I took the re mit to Wellington 17 or 18 years ago. The remit was carried. The supplementary remits an d othe minor matters have been held over til nexl week.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NORAG19270427.2.7

Bibliographic details

Northland Age, Volume 26, Issue 49, 27 April 1927, Page 4

Word Count
8,453

FARMERS’ UNION Northland Age, Volume 26, Issue 49, 27 April 1927, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION Northland Age, Volume 26, Issue 49, 27 April 1927, Page 4

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