FARMERS’ UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18872, 26 May 1923, Page 17

FARMERS’ UNION.

OTAGO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. The twenty-second annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (Otago Provincial Council) will be held on the opening day of the Otago AVinter Show. Following are the remits and thd names of the delegates introducing them; Labour (Mr C. F. Overton, Palmerston). — That all votes by workers on questions ol disputes affecting third parties bo taken by secret ballot under the supervision of a magistrate or two justices of the peace. Taxation. (Mr D. Duncan, Wedderburn). — That married farmers should bo allowed £IOO exemption on their incomes for their wives’ services on the farm.

Taxation (Mr John Clarke, Clinton). —It is imperative that the farmers’ load must be reduced at once, and that the conference suggest a fair method of taxation for farmers by removal of super land tax or company income tax. (b) The repeal of the Act, which limits the income tax on interest from money invested in loans to local bodies to 2s 6d in the £. (Income from money invested in land may be taxed up to 7s 4d in the £). Taxation (Mr A. Craig, Greenfield).—That the Government be shown the necessity of further economies in public expenditure and of giving effect to the recommendations of the recent Taxation Committee at the earliest possible moment. .Wool Charges (Mr W. J. M'Kcnzio, Waikoikoi).—That brokers’ charges # be reduced on wool, particularly on lower grades of wool, and that some allowance should be made for wool bales. Wool Sales (Mr Matthew Stark, Waikoikoi).—That the conference object. U» the practice that is reported to have been carried out at last wool sale —viz., that z'ni number of bales was limited, ,and that wool held by dealers from last year and uie previous year was included in the catalogue to the exclusion of wool, forwarded by bona fide growers. Wool Charges (Mr J. G. Glover, Middlemarch).—That the selling charge of wool be reduced from 2J per cent, to per cent., and the receiving and weighing charge be reduced to the old rate of Jd per lb instead of Jd per lb. Stock (Mr A. S. Herbert, Crookatqn).— That legislation be secured to prohibit the use of “scrub” bulls,' and the sale of ram lambs at saleyards. ■ Cattle (Mr .H. E, Steel, Clinton).—That penalties be raised and fines made more severe for allowing cattle to wander on roads. Cattle Diseases (Mr J. D. Edgar, Tapanui).—That all cases of cows affected with mammitis and udder trouble be reported to local stock inspector. Sub-committees (Mr G. M. Love, Moa Flat).—That Provincial Executive be asked to appoint sub-committees to consider matters pertaining to different ■ branches of farming. Execuive Elections (Mr E. H. Murney, Tapanui).—That the'method of electing Provincial Executives be altered, the subexecutives should have right to select their own representatives, and that one delegate be appointed to Provincial Conference for every two branches in sub-executive. Sale Notes (Mr H. Sheat, Palmerston).— That the union protests against the terms of the stock agents’ sale note. Buying Stock (Mr R. K. Edie, D unrobin).— That the conference protest against methods adopted at stock sales, which prevent competition. Eabbitskins (Mr Armour, Wedderburn).—That the Government be urged to pass an Act under which they will commandeer all rabbitskins at a uniform price, this Act to come into force in January, 1924. Soldier Settlors (Mar J. W. Hadiield, Roxburgh).—lt has recently. been brought under notice that soldier settlers are being gradually ousted from their farms after serious personal loss being experienced owing to their having acquired land, at .inflated values.. This conference therefore urges the Government to materially reduce the capital value to such a point that these men will be able to stay on the land and make a living. Agricultural Bank (Mr R. J. Stewart, Dunback).—That the union support the Banking Bill proposed by the dominion president, provided the provisions of such Bill are reasonable and practicable. ‘ Commission on Chaff (Mr Roy, Clinton).— This conference urges that the selling agents’ commission on chaff be reduced from 5 per cent, to 2J per; cent., as the cost of production being* high, the heavy freight and selling charges, frequently .result.' in chaff : bemg sold at a loss, ■_ . Stoats and Weasels (Mr H. King, Henot). —That the Department of Agriculture be commended for its ' endeavours to protect stoats and - weasels, - two -valuable natural enemies of the' rabbit ill: ,th ; o.; p,tk‘gof; PfoVl Dairy Producers’ Board' (Mr A. Qarruthera, Middlemarch).—ln the interests of the dairy farmers of the dominion, this conference heartily , supports the establishment of a Dairy Producers’, Board, Phosphates (Mr A. F-. Waite, Clinton).— This conference protests against the present high -price of Nauru phosphates, and calls on the Government to insist that all costs incidental to transport, preparation, and distribution be kept as low as possible. County Legislation (Mr A. C. Leary, Evans Flat).—That counties be granted same franchise as boroughs in election of members representing combined districts of boroughs and counties on hospital hoards. . Freight on Produce IMtr C. R. Sheat, Milton) —That the executive approach the Minister of Railways with a request that a general reduction in freight on all primary produce be granted. Central Trains (Mr A. B. Armour, Wedderburn).—That the Railway Department lie approached with a view to having a train to leave Ranfurly with passenger car attached at G a.m. to Dunedin every Wednesday and returning same day, leaving Dunedin at 4 p.ra. This would enable fanners to attend stock sales, btc., and return same day. Bank Charges (Mr Jasper Clarke, Milton). —That the exchange on large cheques be reduced to a nominal figure—say, 6d—and that the half-yearly charge of keeping customers’ accounts bo abolished. Shipping Service (Mr A. C. Evans Fiat).—That the union endeavour to secure better shipping service with Australia, especially with Melbourne, in the interest of Mails (Mr Chas. Dallas, Te Houka). That this meeting of delegates of Otago Farmers’ Union protests against the Government retaining the charges for delivery of rural mails, seeing that the charge was the last imposition made on the rural section of the population of New Zealand. It is only just that the charge should bo wiped off previous to the reduction of rates in postage and telegrams. . . , T Political (Mr John Christie, Waropa).—ln the opinion of this conference, it would be in the best interest of the dominion if the Reform and Liberal parties in Parliament would unite so as to be of the very beat use to the country.