N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19249, 13 August 1924, Page 2

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

OTAGO PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE, A meeting of the Otago Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held in (he union’s offices yesterday; present—Messrs A. C. Leary (president), F. Waite, John Olarke, J. Christie, J. Preston, A. 11, Tamblyn, J. D. Edgar, J. D. Revie, C. F. Overton, E. H. Mtirnoy, K. M’Gregor _ Reid, T. Barr, A. Craig, and J. M’Kenzie. PROSPECTIVE NEW BRANCHES. It was decided that the president, secretary, and Mr Murney should visit the Galloway district in connection with the formation of a branch of the union there, a communication having been received to the effect that (he settlers in the district desired to form a branch. IRRIGATION.'

The President said that members of the executive had probably seen a reference to a proposal to send experts to America to study irrigation there. He thought it was very desirable that they should urge this matter on the Government. Mr James Bogg, who had seen the methods in operation in California, thought it was absolutely essential, if irrigation was to bo a success in Central Otago, that they should have the advice of a practical and up-toidato man in dealing with the matter. He would move—“ That the Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union urges (he Government to consider the necessity for sending officials to America to study advanced irrigation conditions and methods.”

The motion was seconded by Mr Craig. Mr Christie said that while he agreed with the motion to some extent he thought it was time a halt was called with regard to schemes by parties for their own benefit. Until the irrigation areas already provided for were exploited he would support no new schemes. The country seemed to be running into a jamboree of borrowing and spending money. They did not want to encourage any wild-cat schemes for borrowing money until they had tried out the schemes they had already. Tile President said ho understood that unless they adopted up-to-date methods in Central Otago they might ruin the land. Mr Christie said that if that was the position he would heartily support the motion.

Mr Waite said that after many years’ experience the people in America had discovered the best ways of utilising the wafer. Apparently the methods adopted in Central Otago to-day were open to some doubt. It seemed that a lot of money was being lost, and it they could save money surely it was a good thing to get what information was available. That information did not appear to be available in this country. Mr Revie said that great mistakes had been made in-America in respect to irrigation. He thought the object of the motion was to see that we did not perpetrate the same mistakes in this country. If any knowledge could be brought into the country to save us money he thought it would be a good thing. The motion was carried. SKILLED WORKERS.

Writing on the subject of the immigration of skilled workers, the Dominion Secretary staled that no further skilled labourers •were’ available. They were quickly absorbed, and the Otago province was too slow. It was useless for farmers to expect a boy this year, as they were coming out far too slowly. More than three months ago ho had asked the Immigration Department to expedite their despatch, but so far nothing beneficial had been done. The department did not know when the next shipment would arrive. Mr Christie asked if any effort had been made to get boys from this country. He had made an application, and had been smothered with replies. On the motion of Mr Waite, seconded by Mr Clarke, it was decided that the secretary should write to the dominion secretary stating that the reference to this province being too slow was not understood and asking for an explanation. It was also decided to point out that after making arrangements to supply workers the executive was very disappointed with the response from the Dominion Executive. EXPORT OF PIGS. The National Mortgage and Agency Company wrote stating that it had received she following letter from its London princioals, dated May 27, with reference to the export of” pigs : —“The improved trade vhich we reported has not, wo regret to say, been maintained owing to the conin ued heavy supplies from Holland and jther Continental sources. Prices on the vhole show a still further falling off.” fho letter went on to state that the cost :o kill, freeze, and ship pigs to I-ondon .vas approximately 2jd per lb. including selling commission and exchange. It cost i further id to land and put through tore, London. On the prices ruling, this vould leave 4d per lb nett on books here. Vs the export examination was very stiff ind experience showed that 40 per cent. >f the pigs examined were rejected for ixport, it would bo realised that until the London and Glasgow markets improved here was little chance of profitable extort to Great Britain. The letter was received. ANTIDOTE FOR STRYCHNINE POISONING.

The Secretary of the Roxburgh-Millcr’s Flat branch wrote asking that the provincial secretary be requested to obtain information regarding an antidote for strychnine poisoning from the Stock Department or other reliable source. The secretary was instructed to procure the desired information and to forward it to the branches. THE TYRE TAX. The following resolution was forwarded by the Waikouaiti branch:—“That the Government be urged to' effect an increase in the tyre tax, such extra revenue obtained to be apportioned for the upkeep of the main, highway.” On the motion of Mr Preston consideration was deferred, till next meeting. CROWN SUITS ACT. Mr Christie referred to the unfortunate position in which people were placed when they sought to recover from the Crown in cases where they had suffered loss from fires, etc., for which the State should be liable. He moved that (he attention of the authorities bo drawn to the intricacies of the Crown Suits Act and that they bo asked to amend it so as to make it comprehensible to a reasonable man. The motion, which was seconded by Mr Revic, was carried. NOXIOUS WEEDS. The Secretary of the North Otago executive wrote stating that the question of bringing gorse universally under the Noxious Weeds Act had been discussed, and a resolution favouring the idea hail been passed. The writer stated that in some counties gorse was included in the schedule of noxious weeds, and in others it was excluded, the result being that in some districts it was kept in check, while in others it was allowed to spread unchecked. Gorse was recognised as the most suitable of all live fences for shelter for stock, but if allowed to grow unchecked on certain lands it became a nuisance and very difficult to eradicate, in addition to providing a breeding round for rabbits. On the motion of Mr Christie it was decided to reply, staling that the matter was being attended to m this district, and that no alteration was necessary. GENERAL. Accounts amounting to £2B 5s were passed for payment. , , ~, . A request from the Young Men s Christian Association for a donation to its funds was considered, and it was decided that the union had no funds available for donations to outside organisations.