FARMING INTERESTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8189, 2 August 1912, Page 4

FARMING INTERESTS.

UNION CONFERENCE. SECOND DAY'S BUSINESS. The Dominion Conference of the Now Zealand Earmers' Uuioii w<is continued yesterday, Mr G. W. Eeadloy (vice-pre-sident) presiding, GUBTOMB ANH RAILWAY TARIFFS. Mr E. Maxwell (Taranaki) moved—- “ That the Dominion executive bo asked to carefully watch any movement in tne direction of obtaining an increase of Customs duties on articles required by the farming community, and to protest against any such increase.” Air Thomas Moss (WeUington) moved to amend the motion by striking out all Die words after increase, and substituting

‘‘of protective duties, and to protest against any such increase should it be urged by interested parties.” This was carried, and Mr H. D. Vavasour (Marlborough) moved to further amend the remit by including in it a specific reference to farming implements. This was ruled out of order, and the remit was carried. Five remits on tho subject of preferential rates on the railways in respect to timber were put forward, Air T. W. Foster (Southland) moved—- “ That the attention of the Ministers of Customs and Railways bo directed to tho heavy imposition on farmers, caused by duty and extra railage charged on foreign timber, and that these matters bo given consideration with a view to their removal.”

Mr H. A. Nevins (Wellington) moved to include cement, the railage on which to M as ter ton was, he said, 6a per ton. On 112,342 feet of hardwood timber used in Masterton the freight was £195 16s, the excess freight being £65 6s 4d. If that timber had been used in Wellington the cost would hare been £l3O 10s Sd, or £65 5s 4d less than they had to pay in Masterton. Major Lusk (Auckland) said the man who bought his timber at tho port of entry had already paid tho Customs duty, but because he happened to live in the country ho was penalised by the imposition of a preferential tariff. Air E. Alaxwell (Taranaki) moved as an amendment —“That tho attention of the Minister of Railways be directed to the heavy imposition on farmers caused by the extra railage charged on Australian hardwoods, and that be be requestoil to, have the extra railage removed.” The amendment was carried.

Air G. ■ivleat (North Canterbury) moved that the attention of the Alinister of Railways be directed to tho preferential rate on imported coal.

This was carried. Captain Colbcck (Auckland) moved — "That steps should be taken to end preferential freights on railways and all protection should be through the Customs, if protection is necessary.’’ Major Lusk, in seconding the motion, said the preferential rating was about the mo=t iniquitous thing that -could ba proposed. The motion was carried. ■/ BOLLING STOCK. Mr W. Till (North Canterbury) moved —"That this conference protests against the continued shortage of railway trucks and covers, especially the latter, as large quantities had to be sent away this year uncovered, and that the attention :'f .the Minister of Railways be drawn to the inconvenience and loss which is being sustained by grain growers through the difficulty of obtaining sufficient railway trucks to convey their grain to ports of shipment.” This was carried. Mr H. D. Vavasour moved that at stations where there was no goods shelter, the settlers should ba allowed to erect shelter at their own cost. This was withdrawn. Mr. H. J.: Richards moved, on behalf of Wellington—“ That the attention of the department be called to the great loss sustained by the farmers through the shortage of trucks for conveyance of stock on the railways.” This was amended by substituting “rolling stock” for "trucks,” and by adding the motion previously withdrawn by Mr Vavasour. In this form it was carried.

It was decided: "That this conference urge upon the Government the necessity of providing more rolling stock on the railways so as to better < provide for the requirements of tho farmers and public generally, more especially as regards the delivery of metal for roads, which is at present almost impossible to obtain.” Mr Richards moved: "That the Railway Department be requested to provide speedier transit for trains carrying live stock.”

This was amended to omit the words "trains carrying,” and in this form was carried. EXCURSION PARES. Major Lusk moved: “That as the great majority of farmers are unable to avail themselves of tho cheap excursion rates during the Christmas and Easter holidays (their busiest time) the railway authoriteis be asked to issue tickets at excursion rates from country stations for a period, during the winter months.” This was lost, many members holding that they should not overload their programme. Captain Colbeck moved, on behalf of Auckland: “That at all flag stations where there is a tablet porter a receipt be given and taken for all goods received and delivered, and that the railway be responsible for such goods.” The motion, which aimed at the suppression of pilfering, was carried. The following Auckland remit was lost: “That all travellers on the New Zealand railways should have the benefit of the suburban fares." CO-OPERATIVE LABOR.

Mr H. D. Vavasour (Marlborough) moved: "That this conference strongly protests against public works being constructed under the co-operative labor system, and recommends the adoption of a modified ‘small contracts' system where possible.” The co-operative system was, he declared, the curse of New Zealand. It was depreciating the laboring man and civing him an incentive to t» a loafer. The waste of money that had been taking place during tbe past twenty years had been enormous. It was most shameful. It affected the fanner, who had to pay a greater price for farm labor, and farm laborers had become exceedingly scarce. Mr A. Mackay (Marlborough) said the method of constructing public works under the co-operative system, for waste and corruption, was so bad that it would take the brain of a Bismarck to devise anything worse. The motion was amended to read: That this conference strongly protests against public works being constructed under the co-operative labor system or day labor. Mr Thomas Moss said their pol-ticians appeared to put the truth on one side in considering how they could retain their position in the House. He was almost afraid now they had their men : n the House they , would not have the grit to do what was desired, unless the 'a'-mers backed them up. The amendment was, carried. ARTERIAL ROADS. Mr Geo. Dodson (Marlborough) moved:

‘•That the Government should give a special subsiuy for Hie upkeep of all main roans, and bridges oi over twenty ieet span.” After some discussion the remit was withdrawn. MILITARY TRAINING.

Mr S. GhaJmers (Hawke’s Bay) moved: “Tnat this comeience recognises the ueeeosity lor compulsory iniuuuy training, and suggests that the training of young men employed in agricultural, pasioral and dairying xiursuus suquld bo so arranged us to i educe tne serious inconvenience and expense to employers and employees by tueir frequent attendance required, at parades, and suggests that tho annual period of continuous training in camp during tho slack season be increased, wniist the parades during the remainder of tho year bo reduced correspondingly.” Tne motion was carried.

Mr A. Mackay (Marlborough) moved: “That the Deieuoe Act be so amended as to abolish imprisonment under the compulsory clauses of tho Act, and substitute therefore service on a training ship.” TUe mover did not think a boy should be sent to prison for non-oompliance with tho Act. If they were sent to a training ship they would get such a cruel deal from the other members ot the orew that they would faU into line within forty-eight hours. Sir Matheson moved to add to tho motion “conscientious objectors to be given the alternative of service under civil control.” Ho' did not think they should dictate to any person’s conscience. The words wore added and in this form the remit was carried.

The following remit was carried on the motion of Taranaki:—“That the union support the Territorial system, as, in its opinion, the best way to secure peace is to be prepared to defend the Empire.” IMMIGRATION.

It was decided on tho motion of Mr Richards (Wellington), “That tho Government be asked to give its support to the Sedgwick immigration scheme and also to institute a vigorous policy of assisted immigration for agricultural and domestic labor, as the shortage of this class of labor is seriously handicapping the progress of the Dominion." THE LABOR QUESTION. •

Captain Colbeck (Auckland) moved—'That we, as. primary producers, view with alarm tho tendency of tho present artificially high wages in the cities to withdraw labor from agricultural pursuits, and also recognise that the farming industry cannot pay the necessary high wage to compete with other industries, and wo fear so long as this state of things exists the rural population cannot materially increase." Major Lusk, in seconding the motion, said the price of labor, being so high in the towns, the primary producers were compelled to pay higher wages than they reuld afford m order to get assistance. The artificially high wages were caused by excessive protection, without doing any good to the workers. Hr J. McQueen (Southland) thought the remit should be withdrawn. It would do no good and would give a grievance to the Labor Party. Messrs W. J. Birch (Afarton) and H. D. Vavasour (Marlborough) also urged the withdrawal of the remit. The remit was withdrawn.

Major Lust moved—" That this conference expresses its desire to bring the Farmers’ Union into closer touch with the labor unions of the Dominion, with the object of bringing about a better understanding between the various sections of the community by an interchange of views on, and mutual consideration of, the needs and aims of each section, believing that in this way the cause of much of the unrest prevailing in the community may bo removed." Mr G. Sheat (North Canterbury! thought the mover should withdraw the motion and "let sleeping dogs lie." The motion was carried by 12 votes to 7. NOXIOUS WEEDS. Mr G. Sbeat (North Canterbury) moved that in the case of unleased Ciown lands in comparatively clean districts the lands board of the district be responsible for reporting the existence of Californian thistle and other noxious weeds, and for the cost of their eradication. Mr Bruce, of the Agricultural Department, said he did not know what could be done to get rid of the weeds. To carry out the law would spell ruin to the whole country. In Southland he could point to 100,000 acres of land infested with noxious weeds. It was a question of facing the thing boldly and deciding what areas could be dealt with and what areas could not be dealt with.

Mr F. S. Pope, secretary of the department, said the department was fully seized witli the importance of ■ this question, but the work should not be left entirely to them. There were local inspectors all over the Dominion whose

duty it was to report the presence of noxious weeds. Committees might be set up who could divide the area under their control into three districts. In the first district, comprising first-class land, the flowering of weeds could be absolutely prohibited; in the second the provisions might be loss stringent; while in the third the Act might bo held in abeyance. The Agricultural Department had really nothing to do with the clearing of weeds from waste or Crown lands. They went into the matter only for the benefit of the farmers. It was really the duty of the Lands Department. As a result of the explanation given by the departmental officers, the remit was withdrawn. Air A. H. Cockayne, Government Biologist, addressed the conference in regard to a remit for the advocacy of a Pure Seeds Bill. He dealt with the effects of noxious weeds and the eradication of weed seed from that of good grasses. It was decided that the conference advocate and support a Pure Seeds BillTHE STALLION BILL. Mr W. J. Birch moved, on behalf of Wellington: “That as the Stallion Bill agreed to by both the provincial and Dominion confernces, also by the A., and P. Societies' Conference, and which was strongly recommended by the Veterinary Department, has not yet been brought beiore Parliament, the conference expresses its intense disappointment that a matter of so groat importance to the country should have been absolutely neglected by the Government through two sessions of Parliament." This was carried. INSURANCE BUSINESS. Mr H. A. Kevins moved for Wcllipff ton — That the conference approves of -th* Farmers' Mutual Insurance Association undertaking accident business. Ho said that the time was ripe for the farmers to undertake their own accident risks. Mr E. Maxwell (Taranaki) seconded the motion, and said that a Bill had been drafted sometime before by the Taranaki executive, but some defects had boon disclosed. What was desired, that a clause in the Bill should make it optional for the mutual fire associations to take up accident work. The motion was adopted. THROUGH BOOKING.

Mr T. Tunnicliife (Nelson) moved—Thai the Dominion conference be again asked to urge the Government to adopt a scheme of through-booking of produce by rail and sea.

He stated, that this matter had been urged by the advisory committee, and no less than twenty-two chambers of com merce had approved the proposal. Mr Richards seconded the motion, which was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election of officers resulted as fob lows; —Dominion president, Mr J. E. Wilson (reelected)j Dominion vice-presi-dent, Mr G. W. Leadley (re-elected); advisory committee, Messrs F. F. Hockley, B. Campbell, H. J. Richards, and H. A. Novi ns. Mr W. J. Birch was re-elect-ed treasurer, and Mr W. Ruthorfurd auditor. A vote of thanks was accorded to th« re tiling officers. PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIAL STRIFES,. A general discussion took place on the subject of the prevention' of industrial strife. Several speakers referred to tha fear on the’ part of the worker of the term “scab" when taking the places of strikers, or refusing to strike. Mr Anderson (Pelorus) thought there was more strife since the establishment of the Arbitration Act. He thought the Act was in direct. conflict with freedom of contract.

Captain Colbeck thought it should be made a misdoamour to use the; term “scab," and he hoped the Government would legislate in that direction. Mr Beg a (Otago) said the hues under the Act could uot be carried out; and disfranchisement would be a more effeo tive deterrent to strikers. • The conference agreed that there ooulg be no finality to the discussion, and the / matter was dropped^