FARMERS' UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17327, 29 May 1918, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION

"WELLINGTON CONFERENCE.

(Peb United Peebs Association.) MASTERTON, May 23. J.ne Wellington Provincial Farmers' Union Conterenco was opened to-day, in the presence of a large number of delegates.

Mr Marshall (president) dealt with matters of importance to the farming community, the dominion's part in the war, the cost of living, the Second Division Leagues demands, and other topics of general interest. In connection with the war situation, ho expressed little sympathy with tne becond Division League's demands. He urged the farmers to do their utmost to make the land as productive as possible during the war period. He believed that, the go-slow policy of the trade unions was really the greatest cause of the increase in the cost of living, ii rK? e OW,n S motions were carried:— That a committee be set up to draw up a motion regarding the repurchase of land for returned soldiers, the committee to comprise Messrs Stuart, Moss, MathieBon, Douglas, and Vautier." "That the farmers Union assures the Prime Minister that the producers will support the Government m carrying into effect measures which the Government deems it necessary to take in sending additional reinforcements to help the Empire at this critical time." "That owing to the serious approaching shortage of white pine, the Government be urged to control the white pine forests, with a view to the protection of the butter and cheese industry." "That the Minister of Education be urged to carry through a 10 per , cent, increase in teachers' salaries, as a fpund step towards national efficiency. ' lhat any man unwilling to undertake military duties be disfranchised." "That the Government be asked to stop all horse ™ m P'\ ™ i y b the N ' Z - Co-operative Wholesale Federation be asked to formulate a plan for revising the methods of disposing of meat and dairy produce m Britain, keeping in mind the probable necessity of establishing cool stores in four British ports for the purpose of reasonable distribution, and that the federation bo asked to furnish a report to the dominion conference." "

, ADDRESS BY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE.

<P«b United Pskss Association) MASTERTON, May 28. ,/ no Minister of Agriculture (tho Hon. Air Mac Donald) attended tho Farmers' Union Conference to-day. In speaking to remits, tho Minister congratulated the conference upon passing a resolution of loyaltv to the Government. Ho said it was impossible to refer seriously to hydro-electrio power until tho termination of the In reference to stopping matters, 'the- Government intended to use its power to import wool and corn sacks at reasonable prices. The Government was doing everything possible to secure transport for produce. The whole matter of imports and exports was controlled by tho Imperial authorities, and owing to tho position that had arisen nothing but essential goods were likely to be imported. Fencing wire could only be procured from America, and 'there was not sufficient shippin.tr to carry it from that country. _ Every possible facility would be given for importing machinery for cleaning wool. Tho Agricultural Department would have places established in both islands for the treatment of seedy wool In regard to tho price of bread, the Board of Trade had power to revise as it thought fit when asked to do so. No retailer was allowed to sell second-grade wheat at a greater profit than 15 per cent. He denied that any wheat imported from Australia had been sold as fowl wheat. Dealing with teachers' salaries, he said the Cabinet had only recently agreed to an increase of £15,000. He claimed that in no country was more being done for education lhan in New Zealand. Ho agreed that any person who would not fight for his country should be disfranchised. The Government was doing everything possible to conserve white pine timber. The Government was careful not to put returned soldiers on land from which they could not make a decent living.

AUCKLAND CONFERENCE. (POI DNITItD PSERR ARSOCIATtOK.I AUCKLAND, May 28. The Farmers' Union Confererfce discussed what tho speakers termed meat and shipping trusts, and passed a series of resolutions advocating action by the Government. Tt is intended to send a deputation to wai"t on the Cabinet after the Dominion Conference, nnd another nt the opening , of Parliament. The conference rejected a proposal to form an independent farmers' party for political action.