WELLINGTON FARMERS' CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17635, 27 May 1919, Page 5

WELLINGTON FARMERS' CONFERENCE.

—«s» PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. CHIEF POINTS IN A NUTSHELL. (Feoji Ode Own Cobbespondekt.) "WELLINGTON, May 26. The chjef points extracted from the address of Mr G. L. Marshall, president of the Wellington Provincial Farmers' Conference, and placed in a nutshell, are as follows: — ■ • A note of satisfaction that farmers in both islands have now a central meeting , place at Wellington. A note of rejoicing at the successful ending of the war. Despite influenza and shortage of labour, shearing was completed without any serious loss. The dairymen were worse 'off than the sheep farmer, but deserve credit for the way they stuck to their work. The women were congratulated for keeping the dairy herds going when their men folk were down with influenza. The dry weather had shortened the dairyman's season of profit by, more than a month. The prospects for graziers were gloomy owing to want of winter feed. Exception was taken to the badly managed shipping arrangements, the American Trust and meat in Australia getting preference in shipments. New Zealand producers did not get a square deal. The American meat packers' last report disclosed a profit of over £12,000,000. Strong objection was taken to the Government's interference with and control of prices of primary produce. The embargo on the export of potatoes from New Zealand was condemned, and American methods in dealing with wheat production were compared to the detriment of the dominion. American growers received 9s per bushel, whilst exports of crop to Europe realised 11s. Interference in the prices of primary produce was declared to be a political move to catch votes, and farmers were urged to politically organise to protect the industry in their own interests. The value of labour was stressed, but the "go slow" policy was condemned. "A fair day's work in return for a fair day s pay" was. commgnded as an antidote for the prevailing unrest. The value of both agricultural and pastoral lands continued to advance, despite difficulties. The poorer farmer was selling out to his more progressive neighbour. Only good farmers were able to buy land at present prices and make it pay. A big export trade with other parts of the world in the matter ■of stud stock was forecasted. Mr Massey merited the gratitude of the farmers of New Zealand for securing one-third interest m the island of Nauru, which carries inexhaustible supplies of phosphates