N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19496, 3 June 1925, Page 4

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

OTAGO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The twenty-fifth annual conference of tho New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held in the board room of tho Express Company’s buildings yesterday, there being a large attendance of numbers, and Mr A. C. Leary occupying tho chair. “ ANNUAL REPORT. Tho annual report of tho executive .stated that a committee comprising Messrs E. . 11. Muniey, John Christie, and James Bogg was empowered to arrange preliminaries and meet the directors of the Sale Yards Company, with a view to the installation of a live stock weighbridge at Bunrside, It was decided that both the Sale Yards Company and the union should secure all the available information, plans, and specifications from the Horne country, and when they were received (o again meet tho sale yards people and arrange finally. The plans as arranged for by tho union came to hand some months back, hut the Sale Yards Company received their oidy recently, and the executive had boon unable to arrange another meeting before tho annual rneetin. The Sale Yards Company had circularised consignors of cattle to Burnside, asking their opinion in the matter, and tjiey were awaiting reply before meeting tho committee. The matter of workers’ union awards had given the executive very serious thought. Increases in wages and reductions in hours of work were being continually sought for. The threshing mill workers’ award was settled before the Conciliation Court., and did not got to arbitration. Tho suggested amendments to the Workers’ Compensation Act brought, before the House by the Labour Party received the union's most strenuous opposition. Had tho demands been granted, the cost of employers’ indemnity insurance would have increased probably ober ICO per cent. Tho executive, being fully aware of the tremendous future before Central Otago, and the need of experts in irrigation, approached the Department of Agriculture with the view of having Messrs Tcnnont and Marks sent to America for the purpose of becoming acquainted with the most advanced methods of irrigation there. It was pleased to report that tho recommendations were carried out by tho department. During the year . Messrs Leary, Murnoy, and the secretary visited Central Ota.go, with a view to establishing new branches and creating an interest in tho Farmers’ Union. Tho trip was a success, and new branches were established at Galloway and in Lake County, and a splendid meeting was hold at Tarras.. Tho executive was of opinion that it was necessary that, members of the executive should visit branches and speak on the work of the union if interest in tho union was to bo sustainedVery considerable attention had been given to tho workngs of tho Main Highways Bill in its relation to county ratepayers, to the question of the flat tax payable on farmers’ cars, to the method of the Agricultural Department in awarding compensation for stock condemned by the department, fo the matter of higher grading of our Now Zealand dairy produce, to cream grading, and to the testing of cows for tuberculosis. In respect to tho heavy mortality in lambs, Mr Snowball, of tho Veterinary Department, spoke at some length to the Provincial Executive. A separate report was issued in this connection. The executive dealt also with the questions of tho installation of telephones in tho homos of stock inspectors, tho matter of brands ami earmarks, anomalies under the Rabbit Act, and tho manner of assessing fines for alleged broaches of the Act; also writh tho serious question of the constantly-recurring fires on land adjoining tho railway. Agricultural education. Government servants’ superannuation, tho embargo on wheat, tho need of Government investigation in the interests of tho public before power board schemes are gono on with, agricultural banking, the development of the pork industry, and various other matters received the detailed attention of your executive. Early in the year tho executive was asked to consider] importing a trial shipment of wire netting. It was, of course, realised that tho executive should rot consider trading, hut sufficient promises were received warranting the order of quite a largo shipment. It wa-s regrettable that a few branches did not stand to their obligation in tho matter, but the success of tho shipment exceeded the sanguine hopes of tho executive, and a considerable reduction in the price of netting to farmers was effected. Strenuous opposition was brought by outside interests to prevent support being given to the union schemeTho executive was also successful in renewing tho contracts for tho manufacture of a particularly high-grade horse and cow cover at a moderate figure. Many branches wore availing themselves of the benefits under this contract. Schemes such as this, if properly supported, acted as a considerable check on exploitation. It was perhaps advisable to comment on the general position of the union in Otago, more especially in regard to finance and organisation. Of the 39 branches of thet union, 29 only had forwarded their levies for the current year, and tho interest of members had not been sustained in many of tho branches. Considering the aloofness of many of the farmers, it was a wonder that tho union had achieved so much. This was an ago when all sections of tho community were organising, and in many labour organisatons membership to their union was compulsory. With the Farmers’ Unon tho membership fee was small, indeed, and yet it appeared most difficult to collect, and in many instances farmers had stated that in the ordinary course of events they enjoyed the benefits that the union hod brought about, so why pay their £1? Tho executive did not need to comment further in this respect- Producers looked to tho union to protect their interests; the union looked to the producer to see that the finance was forthcoming. Tin's year there was but a balance of 12s 9d. if tho finances were hampered, how can the union carry out its programme? Union was strength. The future was not bright; they must organise, and, above all, bo loyal to the union themselves, and their constitution. The chairman extended a hearty welcome to delegates and visitors; especially to Mr J. D. Hall, president of the North Canterbury Farmers’ Union. He thought they should have visitors from neighbouring executives. On the whole, tho farmers of Otago had had a very satisfactory year. They had had, on the whole, good prices and good climatic conditions- The price of wool, lambs, and mutton had been higher .than ever in the history of Now Zealand, and it had come at a very welcome time to many farmers, because it had helped them to recover from the effects of war time. Ho desired to issue a note of warning to dairy farmers who were inclined to give up dairy farming and go In for sheep owing to the high prices for lamb and wool. It was a very foolish policy to always follow tho market. Dairymen had not been having as good a time as sheep tarmers, but. they would have it in the future. Tho wool slump in the latter part of the season was regrettable, but it was all in tho game. He thought they should take that slump as a warning that they could not expect very high prices to bo maintained. He thought it desirable that they should set their house in order iu view of the. possibility ot u considerable reduction. The question arose wtiat they were to do to moat a possible slump. Ho had noticed in the Daily Tunes a few days ago that wool buyers at Homo wore desirous of stabilising the price of wool, and fanners were with them in any such scheme if it could be evolved, but it was a big thing. One way was by the regulation ot supplies to the markets. They had seen that, through the Meat Control Board. They could not but bo impressed by tho very stable condition of the market. Prices had scarcely varied a penny, '.(he speculators wore tho people they wanted to eliminate if they possibly could. That brought them to the question of control. They had heard a good do::I and Had had sonic expression of opinion concerning it. Some of those who had been in opposition to control were, he thought, becoming alarmed at the prospect of control going out of their hands into the hands of others. It. was not. control, but the possible 10.-s of it that troubled them. They (farmers) had a right to do what, they thought lit with their produce which belonged to them; they had a right to fix prices, ft seemed to him that it v.as absolutely essential to have some control of the marketing of their produce if they were to compete with the huge trusts that were springing up amongst, them. R was one of the things they bad to fight in the future. They had tm-ts all over the world and in their own country, and one of the strongest, was the associated banks. They were undoubtedly control! ng the business of this country. They knew tho Luge profits they were mak- i

ing, and (hey had no control over them. The charges in ninny cases ■were, exorbitant, and these wore passed on to the farmers. They had amongst the banks the Bank of New Zealand, and the State had a big holding in that bald;, and it, was a question whether lho State should have that. It would be in the interests of the country if the State had no interest. They would then have a reasonable charge made for the services rendered to the country. They would have to consider a matter that affected very much the farmers as ratepayers, and that was the Main Highways Act. Tins, members of local bodies would realise, was shaping in the direction■ that the main highways would have to be kept up by many of the by-roads being .neglected. They saw on the roads every day the huge service cars which were, no doubt, doing good work, but bo did not think they should bo called upon to pay for the damage (hey were doing on the roads. The lorries were the things that were doing the damage. The farmers had to pay their share of taxation for the roads, and two-thirds for maintenance of the roads on the top of that. He thought the ratepayers wore being asked to do a little too much. If the main highway was coming out of the finances of local bodies, then side roads must be neglected, or the ratepayers would bo called upon to pay bigger rates. As far as the balance sheet was concerned, he would like to say, as stated in the report, that they expected farmers as a whole to provide the finances to do the work expected of the executive. It could not do the work without finances. He impressed upon members tho desirability of keeping up their membership and paying their subscriptions. Ho concluded by" expressing appreciation of the hearty support he had received from tho executive during his term of office, and said that if the farmer was not satisfied as to what the organisation was doing, ho snould got into it and give constructive criticism, lie also referred to tho great value of tho services rendered by, the secretary, Mr Cameron. The motion was soconoed by Mr John Christie, who congratulated the president on his speech. The speaker said it had been in his mind for some time that tho associated banks wore getting a bigger rako-off than they wore entitled to. The amount paid in exchange at present seemed to bo quite over tho odds. Ho thought that tho Maniototo branch pretty well headed tho list as far as membership was concerned, and ho hoped it would bo paid the compliment of having one of its members elected to tho executive. Mr Christie congratulated tho chaiiman on his work during his term of office, and expressed tho hope that tho union would go on to prosper. Tho union had a small credit balance, but that bad been attained only by cutting down expenses. The union must have a reasonable margin in the matter of finance. He thought the farmers could toko it. for granted that their affairs would bo well looked after by the union. Mr I. D. Revie endorsed the remarks of tho previous speaker, and wont on to say that ho did not think the farmers realised the amount of work that Mr Leary had put into union business. He thought that branches in South Otago had benefited very much dumg tho time Mr Leary had been in tho chair. He had taken a very keen and active interest in his work In rcnlv to a question, the Secretary stated that tho total membership of the union was 1679, as compared with 1300 odd last year. Tho motion was carried. OFFICE-BEARERS. The following officer-bearers were elected for the ensuing year: —-President, Mr F. Waito (Mr .Leary declining re-election); vicepresident, Mr C- F. Overton; auditors, Messrs George Blyth and Co.; provincial executive —Messrs J. Christie, M. A. Kinney, R. J. E. jSmith, D. M‘G, Reid, I- i). Hovic, W. J. APKenzie, E. H. Murnoy, .las. Ritchie, A. Craig, J. Preston, T. Barr, R. S. Steel, and H- F. Sheat. DOMINION CO NFE RENC E. It was decided (fiat the union bo represented by six delegates at the. Dominion Conference. Messrs Waite, Leary, and Murney will represent, the union ex-officio, and the appointment of the remaining three delegates' was left in the hands of tho executive. ORGANISER FOR OTAGO. On behalf of tho Greenfield brunch, Mr Craig moved—“ That this conference recommends for the favourable opinion of the incoming executive tho advisability of appointing an organiser for Otago. ' Mr Craig said he had no hesitation in stating that if they had an organiser branches that wore now practically defunct would bo live institutions. There was a good opportunity to gel an organiser for the insurance scheme am! the union. Mr J. Christie seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr Kinney and Mr J. D. Edgar. Tho motion was carried. SUBSCRIPTION. Mr Waite moved as follows on behalf of tho Clinton branch-“ That an adequate annual membership subscription bo decided upon by tho dominion conference, this subscription to be uniform throughout. tho whole dominion.” The mover pointed out that at present the subscription was not uniform throughout tho dominion. Tho headquarters office and the provincial office wanted more money, anil he wa.s not sure that the branches could get along on the present, subscription. It was a question whether (hoy wanted a union or not. He was saiisfiiKl a body waa urgently required. Every body was organising to-day, and was paying good money to have that organisation properly carried out. It was very necessary that harassing suggestions of changes should be done away with. Mr Christie seconder) the motion, anti said ho was satisfied (hat there were hundreds of farmers who would join the union if the subscriptions wore, made uniform. Mr Ixiary said it seemed to him that the first, question to consider was whether tho organisation was necessary. Ho thought there could bo only one answer to that. They had an organisation throughout New Zealand, and he thought tho farmers should support it wholeheartedly Tho motion was agreed to, WARD SYSTEM OF ELECTION. Mr J. D. Edgar moved as follows on behalf of the Tapanui branch : “That tho ward system of election bo instituted for the election of Provincial Executive,’.’ Mr Kinney seconded tho motion, which was carried. The following remit from tho Waikouaiti branch was moved by Mr Herd; “That, tho ward system of election be adopted for tho election of the Moat and Dairy Control Boards,” . The motion, which was seconder] by Mr 11. E. Steel, was agreed to without discussion. HOSPITAL DISTRICTS. Mr J. C. Christie moved as follows on behalf of the Baleful ha sub-province; “That all hospital districts within each province bo amalgamated and placed under the control of one executive board.” Tho speaker said that one of the first advantages of amalgamation would be. that it would do away’ with tho present practice of asking a patient about 150 questions before he was admitted to a hospital. Another advantage would be that all tho accommodation would be utilised, whereas at, present one hospital might bo overcrowded while there was spare room in another. Ho considered that hospitals should bo run on tho same lines as education and justice. Under a system of amalgamation changes of staff would bo facilitated. The motion was seconded by Mr Revue. Mr Kinney moved ns an amendment that the matter bo referred to a committee con suiting of the President, Messrs Christie, Leary. Mnrney, and (he secretary (Mr Cameron) to report to the executive. Tho amendment, which wa.s seconded by Mr John Clarke, was agreed to. MEAT BOARD. Mr Mnrney moved as follows on behalf ol tho Tapanui branch: “That legislation bo provided to enable, tho (Meat Control Board to use its accumulated funds to pur- i chase any freezing works which are forced to go into liquidation; and in order to have the funds available for such purpose, the board to collect tho maximum levy allowed bv the. Act.” The mover said there were 43 freezing works in New Zealand to deal with about. 24.000,00 b sheep, whereas in the Argentine there were 14 works to deal with something like 40,000,00X3 sheep, and the same number of cattle. Many cf the works in New Zealand were just hanging on. The Meat Board had a large accumulated fund, and it would bo the only body that, would bo in a position to purchase anv worlc-. He thought the board should have power to purchase works and close them down if necessary. The motion, which was seconded by Mr Loo. was carried after a brief discussion. F A TIMERS' INSURANCE. Tlie following remit from Crookton was adopted on the motion of Mr Revie: “That this conference, congratulates the directors on the sound financial position of the Fanners’ Union Mutual Insurance Association, and on the progressive policy which tit ov have adopted, and wholeheartedly supports the principles of coopwalion .as instanced by tin's association.” EXECUTIVE COMMITTE ES. Mr Overton moved m follows on behalf of the Palmer-ton branch: “That it is a recommendation to the incoming executive that Executive Committees bo set up representing tho various interests —viz., sheep-

farming dairying, fruit-farming, and general.” Air Leary seconded the motion, which was agreed to. AGR[CULTURAL BANK. Air Mnrney moved as follows on behalf of the Tapanui branch; —“That this conference support tho dominion president in h-s efforts to establish an agricultural bank.” 'the mover said that objections had been raised to tho proposal on tho ground that there were no farmers capable of undertaking the management. It was never intended that tho bank should bo farmermanaged. The manager would have to be a business man. Another objection had been made that it represented class legislation, but such 'an objection could bo made against practically all measures that were passed. The. motion, which was seconded by Mr .Steel, wa.s carried. VACANCIES DN HOSPITAL BOARDS. On behalf of the Greenfield branch. Air Craig moved—“ That when a vacancy occurs on a Hospital Board, such vacancy should be filled in the same manner as a County i Council vacancy.” The motion, which was seconded by Mr Alarshall, was lost. RABBITS. Air Edgar (Tapanui) moved —“Thar the attention of the Department of Agriculture be drawn to the fact, and that the department be asked to investigate the cause why badly infested rabbit areas have boon abandoned Im tho rabbits, there being no apparent motive.” 'lhe mover said that if tho cause of rabbits leaving certain areas could be discovered it might be of benefit to the whole dominion. The motion was seconded by Mr Greer, and was carried after a brief discussion. AFFORESTATION. Waikouaiti forwarded the following remit;—■'That in the interest of the dominion, tho State should acquire- control over all mountainous or third-class country suitable for tho purpose of re-afforestation or forest conservation.” Mr Preston moved tho adoption of the remit. In tho discussion that followed it was stated that wherever afforestation was set on foot the doer followed it and were detrimental to the general interests of tho place. Tho remit was lost. MANURE WORKS. A remit from Berwick —“That tho banners’ Union endeavour to have started a co-operative manure works —’’was refened to the incoming executive. SUPERPHOSPHATES. Wiakoikoi forwarded the following remit:— “That this conference considers tho price of superphosphates excessive, and asks that the Government investigate the cause, •with a view to a reduction in price.” Tho remit was approved without discussion. PARTY POLITICS. A remifc was received —“That in the opinion of this conference it is desirable that tho Farmers’ Union koop out of party politics and adhere strictly to tho policy in tho past.” The Chairman remarked, on the remit being moved for adoption, that since ho had had anything to do with tho union they had barred party politics. The remit was approved. DIPPING CATTLE. The last remit was as follows: —“That no stock leaving area- affected with cattle tick be allowed to leave without being dipped under strict Government supervision.’’ The remit was withdrawn, it being resolved that the Government, bo asked not to relax its vigilance in connection wtih such stock. MAIN HIGHWAYS BILL. Lawrence forwarded the following remit; “That tho luxation imposed undei the Alain Highways Act be allotted on a more equitable basis, it being considered that the taxation on county ratepayers is out of all proportion to the damage done by them to the roads.” Milton forwarded a remit, on the same matter, which was as follows; That this conference gb'e its unstinted support to the local bodies in (heir endeavour to secure a more equitable system _of rating, for the maintenance of main highways and the removal of some c£ tho present anomalies in the Act. The Chairman moved the adoption ol these two remits, and said that from tin economic point of view the main roads must bo kept in order. 'they could not afford to allow them to deteriorate as they were now doing. The question was. Who was going to pay? In many instances it would be a question of reconstruction. Road boards wore called upon to pay more than their share. The big service cars and motor lorries were, doing the most damage to tho roads, ami had their headquarters in the big centres.. . Mr Al‘Gregor said it was grossly nnlarr to expect, an already overweighted community to pay for extra traffic ’lhev' were anomalies and injustices in tho Highways Act, and it was a matter for surprise, that the Government had attempted to enforce it. Mr Preston pointed out that, the tax on motorists had been increased. Air Murney moved as an amendment that legislation be introduced to enable tho Government to take over the construction and maintenance of arterial roads. Tho remits were withdrawn, and tho amendment agreed to. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. Clinton forwarded the following remit;— That only one Agricultural College is necessary in New Zealand, but- that if two are decided upon, one should bo in tho South Island, preferably at Lincoln' College. Mr Waight, in moving the approval of the remit, said it was admitted that, there was a necessity for higher education on agricultural subjects. This country depended upon its exportable surplus of agricultural and pastoral products, and there was 95 per cent, of a surplus. America did not depend upon this surplus. To-day it exported all kinds of goods, but most of its agricultural and pastoral products wore consumed within itself. The proportion of students there attending an agricultural course was 1 to IS, and in New Zealand in 1923 it was 1 to 80. The question arose as to one or four colleges, and one, if efficient, would perhaps serve tho needs of this country for some time. Mr Steel seconded the motion. Air James Begg said the Board of Agriculture, of which he was a member, had been sitting with the. educational authorities to make recommendations concerning agricultural education. 'They had found matters to be in a very confused state in this country. A groat many of the witnesses who came before them were exceedingly confused too. America was probably the leading place in the world in agricultural colleges, and it was considered that one college to every State was sufficient. Most of ihe Stales had tho same population as the dominion, and faking that as an analogy one college would ho sufficient for New Zealand’s requirements. They had been asked how many graduates New Zca land could absorb every year. It was thought that they should become farmers, but there was an immense weight of cvh deuce that the holders of degrees in agricultural science would not farm the laud 'Fhc theorist and the man with little practical experience did not appeal to the practical man. Tho capital expenditure to accommodate 40 or 50 students was enormous, and probably tho best way would be to have one college in which young fellows could bo trained in agricultural science and turner) out on the farms for five or six' years. A young fellow had got to learn farming on the. farm. It was tho only place ho could get, it. The motion was agreed to. POULTRY. Alcssrs Harris and Love, as represonling those interested in poultry, waited upon tho conference seeking the co-operation of farmers in-connection with poullry matters. ■ If they had tho union’s co-operation it would be a. very groat assistance to the poultry organisation.