FARMERS' UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22205, 7 March 1934, Page 11

FARMERS' UNION

OTAGO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL A meeting of the Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers Union was held yesterday, the president (Mr M. A. Kinney) in the chair. Others present were Messrs R. A. Michelle and C. K. Sheat (Milton), F. Waite (Clutha), W. J. M'Kenzie (Waikoikoi), James Begg, John Clarke (Dunedin), R. J. E. Smith (Maniototo), E. H. Murney (Tapanui), A. C Leary (Evan's Flat), J. D. Revie (Crookston), J. Christie (Warepa), D. H. Cockburn (Wakatipu), W. Bradfield (Owaka), A. Craig (Greenfield), J. :S. . Elliott (Middlemarch), . A. Grant I (Wylie's Crossing), C. W. Hallum (Waikouaiti), J. Henry (Taieri Beach), T. Stockdill (Miller's Flat), A. Spoor (Pine I Hill), and W. Lee (Waikouaiti). | PERSONAL. I Following on the death of Mr W. J. Cockburn, Messrs J. Ritchie and D. H. Cockburn were appointed representatives of the" Upper Clutha branch on the council. BROADCASTING WOOL SALES. With respect to complaints concerning the broadcasting of wool sale reports, ' arising out of a cessation of broadcasting after one catalogue had been disposed of, Mr A. Jones (legal adviser to the Farm Accounting Association) said the matter had been taken up with the authorities, and it had been found that they were up against broadcasting regulations, which did not allow of the broadcasting of detailed lots. It was intimated that the only manner, in which the question could be taken up with any hope of success was by making it a national matter. Mr Jones said that if they took it up as a provincial council they would probably lay themselv«« open to a gentle- snub from the Broadcasting Board. Mr Begg said he thought the boards attitude to the broadcasting of detailed lots was a very proper one. After all, it interested only growers to know what each lot brought. . . . , , It was decided that nothing further could be done in the matter. UPPER CLUTHA TRANSPORT. With fespect to complaints from the Upper Clutha branch concerning transport matters, it waa stated that there was a possibility of the grievances being ventilated before the local transport licensing authority. In any case if 25 settlers of any district banded themselves together and petitioned for an investigation the licensing authority would hold a special sittinc in the district to coneider complaints. • The secretary was empowered to write to the branch on the subject. ' There was-general complaint > against \ what was described as the ..creation of a goodwill for a few services at the expense of others, and also at the expense of the users of the services. .... After some discussion it ..wan decided that the subject was too complicated for general discussion, and that the onus ot preparing a case for consideration bv the licensing authority should be placed, on the local branch.. , . . Similar complaints from the Clutna branch were dealt with in the same wav. EXPORT LAMB COMPETITION. Mr Murney reported having discussed the Meat Board's export lamb competition with Mr A. F. Duthie, secretary of the Otago A. and P. Society. It was ton late at that time for anything to be done with regard to this seasons competition. It was agreed that an earlier start should be made next year, and that an effort should be made to secure the; co-operation of freezing buyers and county agricultural and pastoral associations. Mr Murney said he had assured Mr Duthie of th* support of the 1 Farmers' Union, and sua gested the launching of a campaign .m the spring. Nothing could be. done in tbt meantime. ", ,"■ ~ Mr Begg said he was glad this matter was being taken up by the Farmers Union, particularly as Otago was lagging behind other provinces in this respect thereby losing a valuable means of ad-vertising'-the province". The competition was an excellent thing, and should be of threat value to graziers. The following remit from the Lawrence branch was adopted:—"That, whil* recognising that it is desirable that farmers in the South Otago district should send entries for: the fat lamb competi- - by; the Meat Export Board, this meeting is of opinion that it is too late to secure entries in this district this season. That every effort be made to encourage farmers to support the competition next season." PRICE, OF WOOLLEN GOODS.

Mr Revie referred to the consideration by the Dominion Executive of the following Milton -remit:--" That, seeing that, the price of woollen goods been increased immediately after the rise in the price, of wool, and considering that it was over-12. months'.."'after, wool dropped in price before reduction was made m woollen goods, the Government be requested to take drastic action in this matter." The speaker said the Dominion Executive had unanimously approved of the remit and was taking the matter up with the Government. Personally, he could not see what the Government could do in the matter, but there must be some direction in which control could be exerted. Since returning to Dunedin he had received letters from local mills asking him to meet their representatives, and, discuss the question in Dunedin. Mr Begg said they should at the outset get quite clear in their minds what thev wanted the Government to do. What ->ould the Government do? • Mr Michelle: Get at them through tariffs.

Mr Waite: Who is going to say what : s a fair price for woollen goods? Mr Begg said it was difficult to know »-hat to do. but he thought that if they pressed for a reduction in tariffs, as thev had already, they were doing as much as lay in their power. After all, because a man was making a handsome profit, he was not necessarily a rogue. Still, he thought that they should hammer awav •it the tariff question with a view to having tariff rates reduced.

Mr Leary suggested that consideration of the matter be deferred until next meeting. Everyone seemed so very much in the dark about it, and he thought it would be wise to make an endeavour to Ascertain the other fellow's ppint o.f view. He would, therefore, move that Air Sheat should join Mr Revie in his discussions with the representatives of woollen companies. . The motion was adopted. \ INTEREST RATES

The Tahatika branch sent the following remit: —''That this branch strongly sunport the Dominion Executive in any pressure it can bring on the Government at the forthcoming dairy conference for a reduction in interest rates." j The remit wag adopted.

FOREIGN SHIPPING COMPETITION. The Waikouaiti branch forwarded the following resolution:—"That the Government bo urged to take every possible step to debar ships of a foreign country trom carrying passengers or goods between British ports so long as British ships are debarred from trading between the ports of such foreign country." Mr Lee, in moving the remit, said the facts with regard to the unfairness of the existing position were too obvious to require elaboration.

Mr Leary said it was a vital matter to British shipping and one which farmers throughout the whole country should take

The remit was adopted. CATALOGUING OF WOOL,

The Lawrence branch urged the executive to make an endeavour to have new wool given preference over old in cataloguing for sales. Mr Leary said there had been numerous examples of wool being shut out of a sale as a result of the inclusion of old wool It might be that there were good reasons for the methods adopted, and he would like to eee the question investigated. Mr Craig said the whole question of the cataloguing of wool should be thoroughly gone into, especially with regard to the inclusion of old wool and speculators' wool to the exclusion of the clips of vendors who had sold their wool consistently ! throughout the slump period. It was time something was done to have these iniqui- ' ties removed; He would suggest the appointment of a sub-committee to deal with the matter. Mr Cockburn urged that the committee I be empowered to investigate also the question of wool weights in respect of which discrepancies were always cropping up. Mr Revie said that no doubt old wool was being given preference over new wool, but if wool values had continued to rise on early rates or if December and January rates had been maintained, it would have been a case of "good luck to the old

wool." Nevertheless, be thought small farmers should be given some consideration instead of being made to suffer on account of carry-overs by large vendors. He knew of a case in which a man who had held his wool for some years threw it into a certain sale and shut out a large number of small growers. , , Mr Leary asked that local inquiries be made before the matter was made a Dominion one. , , Mr Craig: I can tell you now what they will say. They will tell you that they take all wool in the order that it comes along. , Mr Clarke: Yes. But they don t do The remit was adopted, and the secretary was instructed to make the necessary iuquiries. The question of wool weights was similarly dealt with, but it was emphasised that there could be a variety of explanations for variations in weights. POLLUTION OF STREAMS.

The West Taieri branch urged that in the case of existing dairy factories where the onlv reasonable method of disposing of waste is into running streams this branch is of opinion that such factories should have that right of discharge provided such discharge is not a menace to public health. The branch further urged that the existing regulations be amended to enable the foregoing provisions to apply. , ... After a lengthy discussion in committee, which included a statement by Mr A. &. Ansell, M.P. for Chalmers, the remit was unanimously adopted, and it was decided to forward the remit to the Minister of Agriculture with a view to having immediate action taken to prevent the further sacrifice of necessary industry to either the sport of fishing or the breeding of fish for sporting purposes. It was generally agreed that the powers enjoyed by acclimatisation societies, were too drastic, and should be curtailed in this respect at least. TARIFF MATTERS. The Milton branch submitted the following remit:—"That the executive favourably consider a request that a petition be prepared for presentation to the New Government from the fanning and pastoral community of Otago asking for a drastic revision and reduction with a view to eventual abolition of protective tariffs; that, to give effect to this resolution, the executive be asked to do all that is necessary to place copies of petitions in charge of trustworthy and responsible members of the union in the various brunches of the union throughout Otago, with instructions to secure, it possible, the' signatures of every voter m the respective districts, thus placing before Parliament a concrete and reliable expression of the opinion of the country people on the iniquitous tariff system. Mr Elliott said the object of the rerait was to assure the Government that the movement for reduced tariffs had the backing of a large section # of the community which was not prominently represented in the press or on the public platform. The speaker referred to misleading leaflets that were being distributed through the post, and said that as the other side had become so active on their own behalf farmers should also unite in their own interests. , Mr Begg seconded the motion, and stressed the absolute necessity for New Zealand to treat British trade more liberally than had been the case ro the past. Mr Murney said no. farmer would question the importance of the remit, lhe only question was how a reduction ot tariffs could be brought about. Such effort as the remit proposed was very necessary and had his hearty approval. Mr Waite said the remit. should .go through the Dominion Executive for that body to marshal favourable opinion all over New Zealand. Not only farmers but a large percentage of city people would support lower tariffs, and every effort should be made to unite that opinion. The community -itself could do a great deal to improve the Dominion's trade position with Britain by buying only British goods. They could thus anticipate the effects of lower tariffs. . - , The remit was carried unanimously. With respect to the question of giving effect to the proposals in the remit, Mr Revie moved that efforts be made at once to get the Dominion Executive to circulate petitions in all country districts as well as in the cities. Such a course of action could not fail ■to have satisfactory results. The scope of the effort could be made too wide, and it would at least furnish convincing evidence to the Government of the tremendous volume of opinion in favour of a reduction bf existing tariff barriers. TAX ON TRACTORS.

The Middlemarcb branch urged—" That heavy duty tax be taken off tractors. That provided the driving wheels of the tractor are without gnppers, or that grippera are prevented from doing damage to the surface of the road by being shod with rubber or solid iron ring, the farmer should have the right to cart with his tractor on the road everything or anything necessary for his farm; or goods and produce off the farm to the nearest railway station, with the same' freedom as his neighbour would do with his team of The farmer, being "a, ratepayer, has the right to use the road either with horses or tractor, whatever his mode of travel may be."" Mr Elliott said that in respect of this aspect of tractor farming many users of power-driven implements on small farms were suffering grave injustice. A tractor suitably shod would not do as much damage as a team of horses nor yet as a motor lorry. In being debarred from using such a tractor a farmer wag being deprived of a fair return for the heavy contribution, he made to the upkeep'of roads. The tax was an imposition and they should press for its removal. At present there could be practically no revenue from the tax, as farmers could not afford to use tractors when the tax was payable. Mr Sheat said the matter had been taken to Wellington and bad been turned down on the ground that it would be impossible to classify the vehicles properly. He very much doubted whether the present remit would meet with any better fate than the last one.

Mr M'Kenzie said a remit submitted to the Counties Conference had been emphatically rejected. The remit was adopted. PETROL PRICES.

The Clutha branch urged that the Government be asked to keep a strict control of the price of petrol, and if any fixation of prices occurs a maximum as well as a minimum should be fixed.

Mr Waite moved the remit pro forma on behalf of the Clutha branch, but said he did not agree with the idea, as it opened up a long lane of price fixation which would have no end.

Mr J. Christie seconded the remit with equal lack of enthusiasm, and it was rejected, only one member voting for it. OATMEAL PRICES.

The Milton branch wrote urging the executive to look into the matter of an increase of £3 per ton in the priece of oatmeal, a rise which was considered unwarranted.

Mr Michelle said there was very little that could be done about the matter, but it simply showed what power the milling interests had. It was explained that the millers had said that the increase was explained by the increased price to them of the raw material. They had been considerably surprised that the question should be asked. Mr Sheat said that was absurd, as they were not milling Is lOd oats yet. Mr Begi?. Take the duty off oatmeal. The remit was adopted. EXAMINATION OF STALLIONS. The Clutha branch urged that Clyder dale stallions travelling or standing for service be examined by an independent veterinary surgeon as to health and fitness. Mr Christie moved the remit ana said it should have the unanimous approval of all farmers. The remit was adopted. OTAGO HARBOUR BOARD. The Milton branch urged that the executive take up the matter of increased representation of country members on the Otago Harbour Board, if need be to give evidence before the proposed royal commission investigating local bodies' amalgamation, or take any other action considered advisable. Mr Sheat, moving the remit, said the nature of the representation of the board was unsatisfactory. City interests predominated, and he thought that a fairer division should be made. The speaker said that one result of the poor rural representation had been the development of the Upper Harbour at great cost when the Lower Harbour would have sufficed. Mr Michelle said that, in view of the possibility of a rate being struck, farmers should have a better representation. Mr Christie said if the Otago Harbour

Board did not make some drastic changes they would very quickly lose the business, Its terminal charges were atrocious, and because of them the board was losing business steadily. Mr Begg said they would be wise not to carry the remit. There had never been a rate struck yet, but if further representation were secured the prospect of a harbour rate would loom much nearer on the horizon. If charges are too high, then they could shin through the Bluff. Mr Michelle said if they began, shipping through the Bluff a harbour rate would soon be levied. Mr Cameron emphasised the fact that the Harbour Board did not have a country rating area yet, and could not get one without special legislation. The board could seek that legislation, but interested parties would get due notification and could contest it. Mr Begg said country members, because of the difficulty of attending meetings, were generally long-lived, as there was comparatively little competition. If they had four members they would prob* ably find that they would become so attached to the Harbour Board that they would put the interests of the harbour before the welfare of the country districts, and support a rate. Mr Christie: If you would let Mr R. S. Thompson put a few facts about the Harbour Board you would wish to goodness you had never heard of the Otago Harbour Board.

The remit was rejected. OTAGO LAND BOARD.

The Roxburgh-Miller's Flat branch sent the following remit:—"That the Otago Land Board be requested to give more publicity to its meetings, as at present practically no information is given to the press." v ' ■ Mr Stockdill said the Land Board affairs were apparently getting into rather a muddle, and as a result of insufficient publicity in the press city peoDle were getting an altogether wrong impression concerning concessions and remissions enjoyed by farmers, Soldier settlers in his district wished to be placed on the same footing as other Crown settlers, but all their efforts had been in vain, and he was convinced that in some measure that was due to the lack of publicity given to their representations. These settlers wanted the same concessions and the same valuations as ruled with respect to other Crown settlers, but they found they could not get relief because they had not the necessary ready cash to make a bargain with the Land Board in Dunedin. In their struggle for more equal conditions they felt that they could not carry on indefinitely unless greater publicity were given to the efforts they were making. He had had a good deal of trouble personally in the matter, as it was said that the Farmers' Union was not doing enough for them, and it was alleged that the union was too much for the freehold land. He had tried to persuade them otherwise, and would like the council to do something now to back him up. The Minister had eaid that one of the reasons for existing conditions in soldier settlements was the high price paid for the land. Personally he thought that if the community, through its Government, made a (blunder in paying such high prices, these men should not be penalised indefinitely. They should be brought in line with other Crown settlements. He had been told that soldier settlers had had a.great time m the past, but he could assure them that the Teviot Settlement had had no remissions. Concessions had been offered, but all were conditional on prompt settlement of the balance. That in most cases was impossible. Things would have been different had more publicity been given to the proceedings of the Land Board. Mr Sheat seconded the motion.

Mr Craicf said he would like to know if all those who wanted revaluations were original holders. He had an idea that many of them were men who paid fancy goodwill prices. Mr Sheat wanted to know what was the nature of the Land Board. proceedings which Mr Stockdill wanted made public. Mr Cockburn said the complaint was a very general one, and he thought the remit was worthy of support. Mr Stockdill, in reply, said the people he represented were the original holders. Regarding the nature of the publicity required, he waf not suggesting the disclosure of confidental matter. His complaint was that much that used to be published no longer appeared in the press.

After a lengthy discussion in committee, Mr Stockdill offered to withdraw the remit, to be brought up again at the next meeting,'when he would present a more elaborate statement of the position. This was agreed to. • THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

The meeting considered in committee' the report of a special sub-committee convened by the president to discuss ways and means of giving immediate relief to the dairy industry and methods of reorganising the industry generally. The report contained various proposals of a farreaching and confidential character Which will be forwarded to the Dominion Executive. The president explained that in E lacing the proposals before the meeting e was not affording members an opportunity of altering or revising them. He merely wished thein to know what recdntmendations the committee had made.

It was decided that the report should go forward to Wellington without any comment from the council*