N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19528, 10 July 1925, Page 2

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

OTAGO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. A meeting of the Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held yesterday, and was attended by Messrs F. Waite (president), E. H. Murney. I. D. Revie, J. Preston, C. F. Overton, J. Ritchie, J. Christie, H. F. Sheat, R. S. Steel, A. Kinney, D. M‘G. Reid, and W. J. M’Kenzie. NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED. The President extended a hearty welcome to the new members of the executive (Messrs Sheat, Steel, Ritchie, and Kinney). Though they were sorry to lose old members, they were pleased to welcome now ones. Ho thought the present executive was quite equal to any they bad had in the past. Mr Waite also extended a welcome to Mr Wardrop, a delegate from Galloway, and Mr John Clarke, who was a member of the executive for many years. The welcome was briefly acknowledged by Messrs Sheat, Steel, Ritchie, Kinney, and Clarke. Mr R. B. Meek, of the North Otago Union, was present at the afternoon sitting, and was also welcomed by the chairixi an, ORGANISATION. The question of appointing an organiser for Otago was held over until after the Dominion Conference. DELEGATES TO DOMINION CONFERENCE. The following delegates were appointed to represent Otago at the Dominion Conferonce:—Messrs Waite, Leary, Overton, Preston, and Cameron. . Mr Murney, who is one of the vicepresidents of the New Zealand body, a\ill also attend the conference. In addition to acting as a delegate at the conference, Mr Cameron will attend a conference of the secretaries of provincial unions. GOVERNMENT SUPERANNUATION. With reference to the question of Government superannuation payments. Mr Hercus (secretary of the Chamber of Commerce) wrote stating that while pensions were now being paid equal to one-sixtieth of the average annual salary for the three years of service, with a maximum of two-thirds ol the salary, provision had been made by legislation that in the case of those entering the service after December 24, 1909, the maximum would be £3OO per annum. If the executive of the Farmers Union would like to go into the matter more fully the council of the Chamber of Commerce would to glad to confer with its representatives. It' was decided to take no further action in the meantime. WEIGH-BRIDGB FOR LIVE STOCK. Mr A. Moodie (secretary of the Dunedin Saloyards Company) wrote stating that 24b circulars had been sent out to vendors of fnt cattle with reference to the question of installing a weigh-bndge for live stock at the Burnside yards. So far o 7 vendors had expressed approval of the proposal, two were against it, one had asked what the increase in yard dues would ■ and 208 had failed to reply, Tl.e master butchery had written stating that they ' n f favour of the proposal. Tim, d £ ec i°“ ° f the company wore not inclined to do anything further in the matter, but thev would to willing to grant the necessary land a a peppercorn rental if the 1' armors decided to erect a wcigh-bridge. IE the union wished to discuss the position fiirt-lier the directors of the company would bo pleased to moot its de ogatcs. Messrs Murney, Clarke Steel, and Ja*. Bogg were appointed to discuss the matter with the directors of the Saleyards LomRIALS OF GALLOWAY SETTLERS. Mr Pullman (secretary of .the Galloway branch) wrote asking for assistance in 1 1 direction of getting a reduction on the See of water use! for irrigation on the Calloway Settlement. Ho enclosed a copy of ono of the agreements. He stated that the agreements wore drawn up by the i udlic Works Department, and the settlers wore told that if they refused to sign the water would bo cut off. This would mean rum to tlie settlers, who were, therefore, to sign. The land at Galloway was of a very light, gravelly nature, and most of the sections had no supply of than that supplied by the Public Deportment. The average rainfall was only • about lOin. The climate was severe in winter, and stock bad to bo hand-fed for at least five months. l ie settlers could not grow turnips and as the land was too light for mangolds they had no alternative but to grow hay for winter food which required more water than would bo required by roor, crops. All the settlors had fields of lucerne, but to grow this crop in sufficient quantities to toed stock for five months a groat deal of water was necessary, and tho cost of this, together with tho expense of living and labour for harvesting, made the land much too dear. The holdings, which ranged from 50 to 60 acres, wore all too small. the water required for irrigation to grow iced for stock cost over £3 10s per milking cow, and as each settlor could run only about 20 cows, the outlook was far from promising, particularly when one took into consideration tho fact that it cost at least £5 per acre to build water races, and level tho land for irrigation purposes. In addition, the cost of fencing and seed had to bo faced. If they look up fruit-growing they would have, to wait for 12 years before reaping any profit. Tho agreement enclosed by the writer showed that the charges per acre over tho whole of each irrigator’s irrigable land were as follows:—First, season, Is; second season, 2s; third season, 4s; fourth season, ss; fifth season and thereafter, 15s. Mr Wardrop said tho settlors at Galloway bad a hard row to hoe, and they had decided to approach the Farmers’ Union on tho matter in tho hope that something would lie done. Two settlors had their water cut olf in tho middle nf the season last year because they could not nay their water rates. Ho. thought, tho original holdings were too small. The Government, was now allowing settlers to bnv two holdings. The original proposed provided for n charge of 10s per acre for water, but it had never been signed. Mr Ritchie expressed the opinion that the maximum rate, should not become operative for at least 10 years. The sections were too small, and until aggregation took place he did not, think tho settlers would do any good. The rents charged for the land were verv low, and ho did not ■ik any relief could be given in that direction. After considerable discussion. Messrs Ritchie and Kinnev wore appointed to meet the Galloway settlers and to report, to the next meeting of tho executive. TOLL COMMUNICATIONS. Tho Tapanui Sub-provincial Executive wrote forwarding tho following remit: —■ “That this meeting asks for a 20-milo radius for free of toll communications or a reversion to the old system of half rates up to 25 miles for subscribers to country exchanges. It was decided to bring the matter before the Telegraph Department. FEES ON POSTAL NOTES. The Milton branch wrote urging that, in view of the fact that, small country post offices had an insufficient supply of postal notes, poundage be levied on the amount: and not on the number of notes supplied. It. was decided to make representations to the chief postmaster on tho subject. CLEAN TRUCKS. The Milton branch wrote asking the executive to approach the Railway Department with a view to having stock trucks supplied in a clean condition. Mr Reid stated that cases of dirty trucks being supplied had occurred in the district, with the result that consignors had to clean the trucks before they were used. It was decided to obtain further particulars, so that representations could bo made to tho Railway Department. PEDIGREE STOCK. The following resolution passed by tho Milton branch was considered:—“That in the interest of purchasers tho executive approach the stock agents requesting them to verify the correctness of all advertised entries of pedigree animals for sale, and also of animals advertised as being eligible for entry in stud books.’’ The secretary was instructed to write to the Stock Agents’ Association with reference to tho matter. NEW RAILWAY TARIFF. The Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce wrote stating that a copy of tho now railway tariff had been received. It was proposed to hold a meeting of tho executive of the Chamber of Commerce next week, with a view to considering complaints or suggestion, which would bo sent forward to the Associated Chambers in Wellington so that they might bo brought before the department. Mr Christie said it soemod to him that tho Minister thought ho would make tho railways pay by increasing the rates. n the rates were increased the motors would come into their own again. After some discussion the president and secretary were appointed to confer with tho Chamber of Commerce. PURCHASE OF FREEZING WORKS. The Secretary of tho Milton branch wrote forwarding a resolution expressing regret that a remit asking that legislation bo pro-

vided to enable the Meat Control Board to use its accumulated funds to purchase any freezing 1 works that are forced to go into liquidation was passed and protesting against the principle of the board’s funds being used for such a purpose. Mr Reed said the Milton branch desired information aa to the objects in purchasing such works.

Mr Murney said the idea behind the remit was that a good many freezing works were pretty tottery. The only concern outside the Meat Board that had the money to buy them were the foreign meat trusts, which were not wanted in Novv Zealand. It was decided that as the provincial conference had passed the -remit the executive was unable to take any action. RABBIT PROSECUTIONS.

Mr W. D. Snowball (district superintendent of the Department of Agriculture; wrote with reference to the complaint made by Mr E. E. Nicolson in March last in regard to the manner in which fines were imposed by magistrates for alleged broaches of tho Rabbit Nuisance Act, apparently on the opinon of the inspectors with practically no consideration for the evidence which might bo brought forward in defence. Mr Snowball stated that Mr Nioolson was quite wrong in his statement that if a penalty was asked for by an inspector m must be inflicted by a magistrate and that there was practically no consideration for evidence which mignt be brought forward in defence. A defendant always had tho right to bring evidence to show the work done, tho state of tho land, etc. Tho inspector’s report showed that ■ the place occupied by Mr Nicolson's sons was overrun with rabbits, and that no reasonable steps wore taken to destroy them. Poisoned pollard was purchased, but was not laid, and ono or two trappers in a 10,000 acre block were of little use. In tho course of another letter Mr E. E. Nicolson wrote; “The problem is a bigger one than can bo-tackled even by the Government rabbit inspectors, to whom wo are subject. We are doing just as much work as any other owner in this or the other districts, but unfortunately we are new owners. One can only say it is a pity that the department putq into tho hands of such young and inexperienced men such powers as rabbit inspectors are invested with.” In a letter dated June 1 Mr Snowball stated that he had learned that, the run had been divided into four rabbiting blocks—one man on each—but owing to some personal trouble one man had been absent from his block for some weeks. Nevertheless 14,000 rabbits had been taken oil since the prosecution, and tho local inspector informed him that the work was not half finisheu. Tliis would serve to convoy some idea of the state of the rabbits on the, property before the prosecution. Tho letters were received.