N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16709, 1 June 1916, Page 10

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES. Tho sixteenth annual conference of delegates to the Otago Provincial Council of tho New Zealand Fanners' Union was held yesterday afternoon, and w;w presided over by Mr James Begg. Delegates attended in largo numbers. ANNUAL ItKPOIIT. The Chairman formally moved the adoption of the report, and this was seconded by Mr A. Eraser, and carried without discussion. The Chairman gavo a retiring address, in tho course of which he covered a very wido field. OFFICE-BEAKERS. The following were elected office-bearers: President, Mr James Begg; vice-presidcnt, Mr A. Fraser; auditor, Mr Crosbic Morris; Executive Committee—Messrs Jasper Clark, J. D. Rodger, John ©lark, G. Aitcheson, R. Scott, M.P., H. E. Stool, VV. Gray, J. Christie, D. Sutherland, W. S. D. Trotter, A. Craig, D. J. Ross, A. S. Orbell, D. M Philip, A. B Armour, and (1. M. Love; delegates to tho Dominion Conference, the president, and vice-president. ItEHITS TO DOMINION CONFKnKNCE, ETC. Mr A. S. Orbell moved —" That wo are in favour of compulsory military service, and are prepared to support the Government in any measure necessary to carry out tho principle." Speaking to the motion, ho said farmers generally were in favour of conscription. No one liked the idea of compulsion, but drastic measures were sonictimes necessary.—The motion was seconded by Mr Roderick M'Kenzie, and, after somo discussion, all favourable to compulsory military service, waa carried without dissent. Mr J. Christie moved—"That the Government bo requested to strike Oalifomian thistles out of the Noxious Weeds' Act." Ho said_ that if tho Act. had been administered without, fear or favour it would have been wiped off the Statute Book long ago.— In tho course of tho discussion Mr Orbell said that he had been surprised to find that 80 local bodies 'were in favour of tho continuance of the Act and only 16 favoured its being abolished.—Tho motion was carried by one vote. * Mr Jasper Clarke moved—" That the conference protest against embargo on the export of produce, or imposition of export duties."—The remit was supported by several speakers, the Chairman remarking that they wanted neither preference nor protection for their industries. Give them open ■ markets, and they were prepared for competition with the whole world.—Tho motion was carried. Mr Gilbert Throp moved —" That the conference protest against an award for farm labourers, as it would be unworkable owing to peculiar conditions which apply to rural work." —Mr A. Fraser moved as an amendment—" That the conference desired that rural industries bo excluded from the jurisdiction of the Arbitration Court." —The motion was withdrawn, and the amendment carried without dissent. Mr A. B. Armour moved—"That'members bo urged to practise the s'everest economy in purchasing goods manufactured outside the Empire."—Carried. The Chairman moved —"That the Government shall assume ownership of all meat immediately it, is put into the freezer to obviate the chance of meat being thrown back on farmers' hands when the present arrangement terminates."—lt was pointed ! out that though the meat was commandeered by the Government it might, at the expiration of six months, bo "thrown back on tho owners' hands.—Mr R. M'Kenzie seconded the motion, which was carried: ! It was resolved on the motion of Mr W. S. D. Trotter, acting for Mr D. J. Ross— " That _ the conference protest against the protection of hides." Mr Arthur Craig moved, and it was unanimously resolved—" That the Government bo approached with a view to putchasing suitable lands for returned soldiers®' It was decided, on the motion of Mr H. Snushall—" That the Executive Council endeavour to arrange with grain merchants and flourmillcrs that farmers lose only Id on grain sacks."

Mr D. M. Piiilip, in moving—"lllat a fax on wealth, called 'The Property Tax,' lio imposed 111 lieu of the income and land tax," SiJd that, the system of income ta-x wa.s open to bo abused. The whole thing should bo Jumped in a property tax.—The Chairman said his objection to a property l.ax was tliii! it taxed the farmer who hia! lirou.ght, and made 110 profit, the same as the man who hud a gotxl season and made lots of profit.—The motion was lost by 10 votes to 6.

Mr J. Christie moved—"That the Government take into consideration the desir-

ableness of establishing a training farm where returned soldier ecu be taught the rudiments of farming before being placed on Government section," and—"That tho Government bo urged to establish experimental farms."—These two motions were taken together, and carried.

Mr Roderick M'Kenzie moved—"That tho Government be asked to make investigations into the possibilities of utilising waste timber in the manufacture of paper." Slpeaking the motion he said if effect was given to it we would be utilising our waste timi>er and (starting an industry which would bo a good thing.—Tho motion was carried. In moving that the recommendation of the Forestry Commission, 1913, regarding the necessity of conserving our forests, and planting large areas, be considered by Parliament with a view to an extension of the work of afforestation, Mr R. M'Kenzie said forests had been so depleted that very little_ hard wood was left, and such as remained was in inaccessible places.—Tho Chairman pointed out that farmers could plant trees cheaper and better than the Government, and he urged farmers to go in for planting.—The motion was agreed to.

On the motion of Mr A. B. Armour, it was resolved—"That the Government instruct the Board of Trade to propound a scliemc of through-bookino- for perishable produce by rail and sea.' r

On the motion of Mr Yardley it was resolved —'"That the union draw the attention of the Railway Department to tho shortage of'sheep trucks 011 the southern section of railways.''

Mr R. M'Kenzie moved, and it waa carried by a majority of one —"That full commission shall not be charged on mortgaged properties, but enly on owners' interests." It was resolved on the motion of Mr A. Craig—"Thai luxuries, such as horse racing and picture shows shall be specially taxed during the continuance of the war." Mr A. Fraser moved—"That the Government bo asked to appoint Mr G. M. Thomson to make inquiries as to the feasibility of manufacturing fertilisers from fish and other sea products, and if the report is favourable that the Government should offer a bonus to any company or private individual who establishes the industry."— The motion was earned.

The following motion was also agreed to:—"That this conference request the executive to induce stock agents who are not manufacturers of fertilisers to import superphosphates from Japan for the use of tanners it, Otago." On the motion of Mr W. S. D. Trotter, it was agreed—"That the Government be urged to get control of guano islands, owing to the high price of fertilisers." The Chairman moved—''That funds to pay for Xciv Zealand's war expenses should bo raised locally by loan and taxation." — Thq motion was cordially received and carried without dissent.

The iinal remit was moved by Mr A. M'Kinnon, and was as follows"That preferential trade within the Empire should be attained by progressive reduction of duties on goods produced within the Empire."—Carried.

A letter from the Railway Department was read to putting up partitions in T cattle trucks. Consideration was held over. The Ulydevalc branch wrote urging that farmers should receive some reasonable remuneration for wool packs.—Referred to the Provincial Executive.

The Clinton branch wrote urging that all toll gates on main roads bo abolished, and that the Government assume responsibility for tho upkeep of main roads from north to south of the dominion.—Referred to the Dominion Conference.

The Lauder branch wrote urging that the Government be approached with a view to an experimental farm being established in Central Otago —Tho Chairman remarked

that they had affirmed the principle of the establishment of experimental farms already, and that was as far as they could very well go, and the matter was left at that.