Conference of Federated Farmers

Northland Age, Volume XVI, Issue 36, 7 February 1947, Page 1

Conference of Federated Farmers

At a meeting of the Bay of Islands Sub Provincial Executive of Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Auckland Province) held in the Kaitaia Library on Tuesday. Mr. E. R. Bird presided, while Mr. D. Bell acted rs secretary in the absence of Mr. G. M. Rodger. Representatives were present from branches throughout the sub-prov-ince. Preservation of Waipoua Forest After the last executive meeting a letter had been sent to the Clerk of the Hobson County stating that the sub-province was in favour of the preservation of Waipoua Forest. Noted for its natural beauty, its destruction was a desecration. A reply stated that at present even the experts held different points of view. A letter had also been written to the Town Clerk of the Dargaville Borough Council on the same lines. In his reply the Clerk stated that no view would be expressed until the official inspection had been made on Thursday, February 13th. “Too much of the kauri of New Zealand has already been destroyed,” said Mr. D. Lewis, Kaitaia. It was an absurdity when Mr. Skinner, Commissioner for State Forests, said “let the sunshine into the forest floor.” “Mr. Skinner knows nothing about forest timber,” added Mr. Lewis, who expressed a desire to participate in the inspection on the 13th. “The view that the Government has taken with regard to the forest is deplorable,” stated Mr. R. H. Michie. While the experts were disagreeing, Waipoua was being desecrated was the opinion of Mr. C. B. Michie. He spoke in favour of Mr. Lewis making the trip. A charge that Mr. Lewis would have his mind made up before he even entered the forest was not denied by Mr. Michie, who stated that everybody with an interest in posterity should have their mind made up. Mr. T. S. Houston then put forward the other side of the question. Why should one part of New Zealand be set aside as a scenic reserve when there was an urgent need for building materials, particularly for exservicemen, he said. It was estimated that there were ninety million feet of timber in the forest. A certain amount of this should be made available for domestic use. It was economic position to set aside the lot as a reserve, added Mr. Houston. This prolonged discussion prompted the meeting to appoint representatives to act in association with the official party from Dargaville in the Waipoua Forest inspection on the 13th. The Executive representatives will be Messrs D. Lewis, A. W. Masters, G. Killen, R. Michie, W. Rose and T. S. Houston. Wire—‘A Barbed Question’ A letter finally received from the Minister of Industries and Commerce assured the Secretary that the needs of the farming community woafl have priority on any wire kept during the emergency period. The wire question was very ‘barbed’ added Mr. Bird. A remit that Federated Farmers be asked to write to ‘Wire Distributors’, requiring an inventory of all unsold wire in New Zealand to be taken and distribution reviewed, was carried. Advertisements appearing daily in newspapers requested the farmer to save as much hay and ensilage as possible. This was impossible with the shortage of wire, stated Mr. J. Morrison. “Why is it that the Maoris appear to get as much wire as they require?” asked Mr. Masters. Another remit from the Okaihau branch that Federated Farmers notify the United Kingdom that unless wire is made available, the production of foodstuffs in New Zealand must fall, was also carried. Lake Omapere Development The development of Lake Omapere would be carried out in a period of low capital costs, stated the Minister of Works in a letter to Mr. W. S. Thorpe, Secretary of the Bay of Islands Electric Power Board. Pig Marketing The division at present existing between the Pig Producers’ Co-opera-tive Society and the Pig Marketing Association was outlined by Mr. R. Robson of Kaikohe. While the meeting appeared alarmed at the lack of harmony between the two organisations, an amendment was carried and the question left over. Mr. C. B. Michie urged that farmers observe the status quo between the two co-operatives. “Let us get above this petty difference at present existing”—Hear! Hear! Other Remits A remit from Kaitaia to go for-

ward to the Provincial Conference, that Federated Farmers get an assurance that rural areas would get an adequate share of telephone extensions when available, was carried. An Ohaeawai remit urging Mr. S. W. Smith M.P. to bring before the authorities the necessity of having the outlets of Lake Omapere returned to their usual levels and width was carried.Hospital Rate Collection A remit recommending Federated Farmers to pay the 10 per cent penalty in connection with the non payment of hospital rates gave occasion for a long discussion. Speaking to the remit, Mr. I. J. Berghan assured the meeting that he had no personal gain. After deducting the amounts paid Li full by farmers not loyal to the Union, the nett amount of the penalty would approximate £SOO he said. Spread over all the Federated Farmers in Auckland the charge would be about 1/- per head. As the result of the efforts of our old Farmers’ Union, the Commission was set up and some measure of relief obtained. We are justifed in crediting the farmers of this county and those who resisted payment for the result, said Mr. Berghan. “Should the farmer be placed in a worse position because he remained loyal to his Union,” was the question that arose. Mr. Berghan was seconded by Mr. Houston and supported by Mr. Maxwell. Speaking against the remit, Mr. Bird stated that he did not want anyone to pay his 10 per cent penalty. All farmers would now gain, as the* result of the fight. If the Union paid the 10 per cent penalty would the farmers pay the Union their savings over the period? The Union helped the farmer to get that saving. It would prove very difficult to administer the 10 per cent. People who had let the Union down in every fight would benefit. “The Union fostered the agitation however,” said Mr. C. B. Michie, “and therefore has a certain moral responsibility.” It would be a wonderful fillip to Federated Farmers if the remit was carried, he added. “No one should be worse off for following the policy set by the Union,” said Mr. Berghan. When put to the meeting the remit was carried. A remit that the question of the 10 per cent penalty charged by the Valuer General for- non-payment of the Mangonui County Hospital rate be inquried into by the Union solicitor was also carried.