SHEEPOWNERS’ AND FARMERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8191, 5 August 1912, Page 8

SHEEPOWNERS’ AND FARMERS

THE NEW ZEALAND FEDERATION. Mr H. D. Vavasour (Marlborough) presided at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Shoepownors and Farmers Federation, held, in tho Farmers Union rooms. , Tho following delegates were Present; Messrs It. McKenzie, J. Begg, and Colonel J. C. Nicholls (Otago); D. D. Mactarlane and John Deans (Canterbury), H. A. Novins and W. J. Birch (Wellington), H. Overton, J. Macfarlane, and &. E. IVright (Hawke's Bay), and H. V. Delabour (Poverty Bay). . An apology for absence was received from Mr J. G. Wilson (vice-president).

ANNUAL REPORT. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, drew attention to the fact that the fcderation, which was formed in 1910, was now composed of six sheepowners associations. viz., Otago and Southland. Canterbury, Marlborough, Wellington defence committee of the Farmers' Union, Hawke's Bay, and Poverty Bay and East Coast. Tlio objects of the federation included the establishment of a Dominion organisation, composed of sheepowners and farmers, to promulgate a general policy; to unite for settlement of labor disputes; and to take joint action in respect of legislation affecting members. It would be seen from the report that during the year three awards affecting sheepowners were made by the Arbitration Court, viz., Canterbury shed hands’ award, Canterbury musterers and packers' award, and the Otago and Southland shed hands’ award. Two other important disputes, viz., the farm laborer6 < and th© woolclass©rs , » hoth affect- , ing Canterbury, had been brought before the council, but no finality nad been reached in either case. DOCK ACCOMMODATION. Mr Vavasour referred to the effective work done by the New Zealand Producers’ Association, which was formed for the purpose of obtaining better dock accommodation in London, and providing for supervision in the landing and handling ot New Zealand produce. The association hoped that the Port of London Authority would adopt a comprehensive scheme at the South West India Docks for New Zealand produce. In the meantime shippers would have to be content with the inconveniences inseparable from unloading at the Victoria Docks. ' Ms Vavasour said that if the question of dock accommodation was not energetically dealt with, the Argentine shippers would step in and block New Zealand from securing the South West India Decks. He would like producers to realise tho economic side of the question and pointed out that tho important work already done was through the efforts and at the expense of a comparatively few individuals. The association had gone to considerable expense in sending Home a representative to further the objects of that body, and as the work now being carried out was as much in the interests of agriculturale and dairy farmers as it was tor sheepfarmers, he hoped that producers generally would accord their financial support to the Producers’ Association. He was of opinion that it would bo necessary to have a permanent representative in London, and advisory boards here and in England who would take concerted action in protecting tho interests of exporters !amd in euucfeadourinp ito secure fresh markets on the Continent or elsewhere for Now Zealand produce. Mr J. Macfarlane seconded tho motion for tho adoption of th© report and bal-ance-sheet. The resolution was carried. GENERAL.

Officers were elected as under:—President, Mr H. D. Acland; vice-president, Mr _J. G. Wilson; hon. treasurer, Mr D. V. Macfarlane. The council consists of eighteen members appointed by the ntffiiliated associations.

The reports submitted in reference to the farm laborers’ and woolclassers' disputes were considered. It was reported that the Marlborough Sheepowners Union had agreed to enter into an industrial agreement with the Shearers’ Union. The following resolutions were adopted : "That it be a recommendation from the Sheepowners’ Federation that the attention of the Hon. Minister for Lands be directed to the unsatisfactory position of improvements effected on pastoral runs, and that he be respectfully requested to enact legislation to provide for such improvements being valued by arbitration and paid for whether the run again be let for pastoral lease or on other tenure.” Also, "That where a pastoral mu is subdivided, the outgoing lessee have the option of selecting one portion at a rental established bv the Land Board.”

A resolution was adopted to the effect that the attention of the Minister for Justice bo called to the fact that the fines imposed on shearers for breaches of award have in many instances not been collected. On the motion of Mr. E. McKenzie a resolution was passed approving of the action of the Farmers’ Union in urging the Government to formulate a scheme for the immigration of farm laborers and domestic helps. It was decided that the resolution be conveyed to the Minister for Immigration. A resolution was adopted approving of the New Zealand Farmers’ Labor Exchange being patronised by members of the federation.