PROBLEMS OF FARMERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20263, 24 May 1929, Page 14

PROBLEMS OF FARMERS.

'AUCKLAND CONFERENCE.

MR. ROSS AS PRESIDENT

OTHER OFFICERS APPOINTED

' MANY REMITS DISCUSSED. Mr. A. A. Ross was re-elected unopposed to tho presidency of the Auckland provincial branch of the Farmers' Union yesterday. Mr. H. M. Rushworth, M.P., and Mr. R. 11. Feisst were re-elected vicepresidents and Mr. C. C. Munro treasurer. When the announcement was jrtade at tho annual conference Mr. Ross Mas congratulated by several delegates on 3:is re-election and was thanked for the ceaseless attention he had ysaid to the affairs of the branch during tho past year. Tho executive committee was elected as follows:—Messrs. W. 11. Allen, H. E.

lAnnett, W. Boyd, 11. Barter, F. C. Elliott, C. E. S. Gane, C. I. Harkness, •7. B. Jordan, J. H. Jones, A. N. Macky, JL O. M'ellsop, 11. C. McCreadv and LA. McConaughy. Tho following delegates ;wero appointed to attend tho next Dominion conference:—Messrs. W. 11. Allen, Jl. E Arinett, AY. Boyd, It. H. Feisst, 'A. F. Giles, C. I. Harkness, J. W. Jones, A. N. Macky, H. 0. Mellsop, C. C. '.Munro, A. E. Robinson, E. L. AYalker jmd A. McL. Wright. Produce and marketing questions were discussed during the session. A remit objecting to any but producers' representatives on tho New Zealand Dairy Produce Board was approved. The Bay of Islands branch expressed the opinion that tho Government had no special interest 1o conserve, while the present method of flection more than safeguarded proprietary interests.

.Mr. G. Moody said the farmers were rjui to able to manage their own business. Mr. IT. C. McCready considered the board had been wrongly constructed in the first place and no interference was required. Testing and Grading. Divergent opinion was expressed regarding a remit that the testing and grading of milk and cream at dairy factories should be carried out by qualified Government officers. Several delegates wished to see a Government service established, but others objected on tho score of increased overhead charges. Mr. H. K. Hatrick said rivalry between co-operative and proprietary concerns had f.tjoked the remit. He thought a Government service should be established and the cost should be borne by the industry iis a whole, in which way small factoiies could not be penalised. ' Mr. G. S. Clark considered the scheme .would be impracticable. Mr. B. McCorquindale and Mr. C. J. 3iarkness objected to Government interference. Tho latter said he was afraid (overhead costs would become too great. That the co-operative concerns had no use for check-graders and testers was stated by Mr. P. Ilawke. Mr. H. 0. Mellsop instanced the different results achieved by testers and stated a uniform system would be most desirable. Importance of Quality. "The quality of produce is most important and we must take steps to keep lip the standard," said Mr. W. Boyd. "There must be no slipping back. Any reform which will help the industry must be carried out." It was decided to urge that Government graders be appointed, provided "a practicable and equitable basis of costs on a butter-fat basis over the whole industry can be devised, arid that such officers be moved at reasonable intervals." Hie remit is to bo forwarded to the National Dairy Conference as well as to the Dominion executive. A remit urging the necessity for the .closer co-ordination of co-operative dairy companies in marketing produce, was supported by Mr. R. H. Feisst, who said there were too many companies competing against each other. The remit was carlied. It was decided to request the National Dairy Association to convene an early Dominion conference. Auckland Wool Sales. Three remits suggesting alteration of the dates of the Auckland wool sales were considered. The following remit covering all proposals was carried : "That there should be three wool sales in Auckland an November, January and March." It was pointed out that at present only two sales were fixed and another was sometimes held later. . Tho advantage of Laving three fixed sales lay in the fact that farmers would experience no delay by holding wool in stock. " Restrictions placed upon farmers by the Arms and Explosives Act were criti cised during discussion on a remit that the Act bo amended to abolish the necessity for registration of firearms, and to allow the free purchase of explosives, The remit was approved. The following remits brought forward by the Omokoroa branch were passed ■without opposition: "That the Government be urged to remove nil direct aria indirect causes that are tending to impede land settlement and incidentally increasing unemployment": "(hat the attention of the Government be c'.rawn to tho urgent necessity for abolishing the protective duty and penal railway freights upon imported cement."