FARMERS’ UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23829, 8 June 1939, Page 7

FARMERS’ UNION

PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE PRIMARY PRODUCERS’ PROBLEMS WIDE VARIETY OF DISCUSSIONS The annual provincial conference of the Farmers Union in Otago was concluded yesterday under the chairmanship of the retiring president (Mr R. H. Michelle). The business of the day was the discussion of a wide variety of problems facing the primary industries at the present time. One of the most important resolutions passed was that calling upon every section of the farming industries to unite in a single organisation which could represent every, branch of production and present a strong front to the Government.

GUARANTEED PRICE REJECTION OF PRINCIPLE CRITICISM OF TAXATION FREE EXCHANGE. DEMANDED The Lawrence branch presented the following remit: —“That the Government be urged to tree the exchange in order to provide primary producers some relief from the steadily increas-, ing costs.” , , The remit was formally moved by Mr R. C. Hall, of Tuapeka West. The only.’way to relieve primary producers of the.,burden of rising costs was. he said, to, free the exchange It was suggested by Mr McK. Marshall (Kuri Bush) that if the exchange were freed, it would come back to the same old circle. It seemed that the Government would not free the exchange. and a remit such as this was merely “butting our head against a brick wall”

If the exchange were freed, there woujd be no need for the import strictions. it was said. It would level things up and it would not be the, case, as';‘it was' at present, of the farmers having to carry the heavy burden. The Only Alternative The. most suitable way cf assisting the fanners was to reduce costs, said Mr A. C. Cameron. The Government would not face up to that method so that other mearts had to be studied. It could he done by a direct subsidy; but where would that subsidy come from? The effect of freeing the exchange would be an immediate benefit to the farmer, and this was the only way in which the farmer could get immediate rssistancd. At the same time, this could be justified only .as a palliative until costs, could be lowered The raising of the rate of the exchange might have its reactions, said Mr G. P. Hall (Middleman*); but it would be reflected in immediate relief. There was no point in agitating to havg the exchange swung free until the import restrictions were lifted, another speaker emphasised. Evils of Depreciation Mr James Begg said that the exchange in London was being handed back at the New Zealand price, It was wortlrmore, and the farmer could get more for it if he were allowed to sell it as other people were allowed to. The depreciation of money was no cure for anything and brought evils in. its train. . The fact was that New Zealand currency bad been depreciating for three years and was now heavily depreciated. A method that should have been adopted long ago was the proportionate reduction of protective tariffs as the ixchange rose. That would have had the effect of checking the spiral of rising costs.— (Applause.) Farmers, as exporters, . were free tra'ders on the world markets, and it was only fair that they should receive the corresponding reward, s£*id Mr D. H. Cockburn (Arrowtown). In the present circumstances they were being indirectly robbed by the fixation of the exchange at a rate to suit the rest of the community. The remit was carried. . IMPORT RESTRICTIONS Mr James Begg moved the following remit from the Lawrence branch: "That the import restrictions on goods from Great Britain be relaxed with a view to removing unnecessary causes for friction between our best customer and ourselves.” Mr Begg said the abolition of import control was necessary if there were to be a free exchange. The remit was bound up with the demand for a free exchange. As long as New Zealand was a large exporter, import control had its danger in that the Dominion’s customer countries might possibly retaliate. He did not think that Britain would do anything very seriously like that. Britain had treated New Zealand with extreme generosity in ail their trade arrangements, but import restrictions must be irritating to the Dominion’s best customers, and to continue with the policy was very unwise. Mr R. C. Hall (Lawrence) seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, GUARANTEED PRICE The executive sponsored the following remit:—‘‘That this conference is strongly opposed to the introduction of guaranteed' prices for wool and frozen meat.” The remit was moved by Mr W. Scaife (Pembroke), who discussed the Ministerial attitude towards the farmers’ opposition to the proposal of s guaranteed price for meat and wool That attitude, he said, was quite unreasonable. It was the strong desire of the farmers to* dissociate their attitude from party politics, but he thought an effective viewpoint could not be put forward other than politically It was necessary to review again the reason for the seeking of relief by farmers. The problem was to find a relief that would bridge the world price and New Zealand produc*'nn costs Speaking of the offer to the farmers that they should accept an unstated guarantee Mr Scaife said that no trade union would ever be expected to accept such an indefinite proposal. “ Impracticable and Hopeless ” The seconder, Mr D. H. Cockburn, said that the objection was not for the reason that objection was being made to anything that was offered. It was on the score that the proposal was quite impracticable. ‘‘The thing is hopeless.” he said. “ What is the use of a guarantee that would involve the finding of several millions of pounds? That would wreck any scheme.”

Meat Board Active

It was suggested by Mr J. S, Dickie (Waipahi) that this remit was rather hasty in view of the appointment of a Royal Commission. He moved an amendment that the remit be held over until after the finding of the com“ifewas supported by Mr McK Marshall (Kuri BushD, but when the chairman said that the Minister of Finance wished an immediate expression of opinion the amendment was withdrawn and the remit adopted.

TARPAULINS AND TRUCKS The following remit was moved on behalf of the executive by Mr A. C. Cameron:—(a) “That in view of the unsatisfactory state of many of the tarpaulins now supplied, the Government be asked to instruct the Railways Department to revert to its former practice of supplying two tarpaulins for each truck of fertiliser sent out by the works, (b) That in view of the occasional serious shortage of trucks ana the delay occasioned thereby, the Government be asked to increase the quantity of rolling stock available to fertiliser companies in Otago." The position, said the mover, was that the Railways Department would now supply only one tarpaulin. Many of the tarpaulins were in an unsatisfactory state and were responsible for a great deal of difficulty and inconvenience and wet manure. The second half oX the remit spoke for itself. Farmers were well acquainted with the delay often suffered 'through a shortage of trucks. . i The remit was carried after a brief discussion, in which it was Suggested that the supply of a waterproof covering would dispose of the present difficulty. The movers of the remit would not agree to an amendment to that effect, stating that there were different interpretations of “waterproof.” ;

Mr W. G. Thompson (Middlemarch) accordingly moved an amendment tha; the Railways Department be asked “to provide ’waterproof tarpaulins.” This, was defeated in favour of the •'emit. MARKETING OF MEAT The Middlemarch branch 'submitted the following remit: —“That in view of the British Government’s restriction on meat imports, and the difficulties which will probably arise next season in marketing our. ewe mutton, this conference request the Dominion Executive to make' representations to the Meat Board and the Government'with a view to finding further markets, particularly in those European countries which are in need of our primary produce. and are anxious to extend their trade.”

Mr W. G. Thompson (Middlemarch), the mover of the remit, said that ’the activity of the Meat Board and the Government was appreciated The finding of new markets was an important need and it could not be overemphasised. 1 ,, .;*L . ■ ’

The hampering of the Meat Boara by the import restrictions was mentioned by another speaker. He thought, however, that the Government would be only too eager to find an avenue of relief, and it should not be impossible to negotiate in this connection with countries such as Germany and Italy, both of which were badly in need of meat supplies. ,

There had been restrictions ever since the Ottawa Agreement, but there had not been any serious inconvenience, said the Dominion president (Mr W. W. Mulholland). ' Now the restrictions were serious. The Dominion Executive was in touch with the Meat Board, and, he said, the board fully appreciated the gravity of the situation and realised that determined action might be necessary. The fact that the country might be left with meat next year should prpvide an opportunity for thorough exploration of new markets. He assured the conference that, the Meat Board was very active, and he thought that in the long run the imposition of the import restrictions might not prove harmful to the farmers in this respect. Low-price Competition The Meat Board’s appreciation of the position was explained further by Mr James Begg a member of the board. He discussed what had been done to explore new markets. One difficulty was that Argentina, which had a limited market in Great Britain, was disposing of its surplus at greatly reduced prices on the Continent. Prices in these countries were too low to make New Zealand competition possible, It might be possible to extend the canning of mutton, but here too. the price was too low at present. The Meat Board was considering a subsidy to this industry as a temporary measure. The position should not be regarded too desperately. There had been a flood of meat this year that had not been expected. It did not follow that there would be such enormous quantities again next year, and in succeeding years. The remit was adopted. WOOL SALE OFFERINGS Limitations in respect of wool sales were urged by the executive in the following remit:—" That the Dominion Executive be instructed to confer with the Sheepowners’ Federation with a view to: (a) Ensuring that the maximum quantities of wool fixed for the various wool sales be not exceeded; (b) that a limitation be placed upon the number of lots sold oer hour.” Mr T. Stockdill (Miller’s Flat) moved the remit, which, he said, recommended a necessary procedure. It was agreed in the discussion that the fact that New Zealand led the world in the number of bales sold in a day was not in the best interests of the growers. The remit was adopted. LOCAL BODY EXPENDITURE The Milton branch moved: “ That this conference strenuously objects to the practice of local bodies granting money for objects other than those for which rates are levied.” Local bodies were often asked to contribute to very worthy causes, Mr C. R. Sheat, of Milton, said in moving the remit, but there was no justification for the expenditure of money by a local body for purposes other than those for which it was collected. The remit was carried.

THE LAND TAX The executive forwarded the following remit;—(a) “That the Government again be urged to abolish land tax; (b) that as long as land tax is payable, that it be allowed as a deduction from the amount upon which income tax is assessed.” Land tax was a tax on capital, not on income, said the mover of the remit, Mr S, Sim (Heriot), and the farmer had to pay both ways. It was not so bad when farmers had to pay land tax only, but now they had to meet land tax and income tax. It was a very serious hardship indeed and in many cases the tax had to be met oht of capital. The incidence of Taxation on the farmer is one of the reasons for his position to-day,” he said. “ and ‘any relief would naturally be of great assistance.” The remit was a reaffirmation of expressions of previous conferences, and it was carried without discussion. EXPORT OF POTATOES The Middlemarch branch advocated; “That this conference urge the Government to persist in its endeavour to secure the entrance of New Zealand potatoes to Australia.” Already there had been a certain number of shipments of potatoes to Australia, said the mover of the remit. Mr W. G. Thompson, of Middlemarch: But there was, much yet to be done. There .was not the understanding between the two countries that there should be. “If our legislators want do it, it is time the people had something to say about it,” he said. “If our producers and the producers could get together, there would be a great improvement in our trading understanding. The remit was carried without discussion. , HOSPITAL RATING ' The executive forwarded the following remit: “That the Dominion Conference be urged to appoint a special committee to wait upon the Government as a deputation with a view to placing before the resppnsible Minister Its views regarding the inequity of the present system of collecting hospital rates and the increasing burden which ratepayers are carrying in this connection. , Mr R. S, Thompson moved the remit and reviewed the increase in the hospital levy in recent years. “The fairest method of providing all hospital finances,” he said. “ is a tax on wages, salaries and incomes. Failing this, a maximum should be fixed as to the extent, to which farm lands should be rated for hospital purposes. The total hospital levy paid by New Zealand County Councils in 1931-32 was £274,900, and for 1936-37 £349,000, an increase of 27 per cent. The Tuapeka County paid in 1931-32 a hospital levy of £3260 and in 1938-39 £SIOO, an increase of 57 per cent. As the Otago Hospital Board has in view a large capital expenditure in connection with its proposal to increase the size of its hospital in Dunedin from 300 beds to 500 beds, a further substantial increase in the hospital rate can be-ex-pected to meet interest and sinking fund charges and increased administration costs. Ratepayers should object to that loan.” Opressive On Farmers “ Within the Tuapeka County and the boroughs of Lawrence, Roxburgh and Tapanui, the average paid in 1938-39 for hospital rate per head of population was: Lawrence 3s Bd, Tapanui 5s 4d, Roxburgh 6s sd, and Tuapeka County £1 0s lOd. The figure for Dunedin city is 11s lOd per head, while Waihemo County actually contributes £1 6s lOd per head. These figures surely indicate how oppressive the hospitai rate is on the farming populaIt was also interesting to note that for the year 1934-35 the total hospital levy on the Tuapeka County (£3700), Lawrence Borough (£B6), Roxburgh Borough (£11) and Tapanui Borough (£SB) was £3954. on which a Government subsidy of £3954 was received. To these amounts had to*be added fees received at the Lawrence Hospital (£246), Roxburgh Hospital (£251), and Tapanui Hospital (£395), a total of £892, making a grand total of receipts of £BBOO while the total hospital expenditure (including charitable aid) in this district was only £3360, leaving a credit balance or an excess payment, of, £5440. In addition, according to the Otago Hospital Board’s latest balance sheet, county patients at the Lawrence, Roxburgh and Tapanui hosoitals paid 75 per cent, of their hospital fees, ' while Dunedin patients paid only 37 per cent of their fees. This clearly showed that The ‘ Farmers Union was absolutely justified in its endeavour to have hospital rating put oh a more equitable basis.” Mr Thompson advocated derating farm lands of the hospital rate in preference to derating for road expenditure. A good road was an asset to any property, and this expenditure was controlled by ratepayers’ The seconder, Mt* F. Waite, said that city ratepayers were also protesting against the incidence of hospital taxation. The Municipal Association was interested in the question along with the Counties’ Association. The remit was carried. COMPULSORY TRAINING The following remit was presented by the executive: “That in view of the critical situation in Europe, the Government be urged to institute a system df compulsory miliary, and/or. physical training.” . , There was no desire to embarrass the Government in this matter, said Mr R. McCaw (Waitahuna), who moved the remit: but his branch was convinced that compulsory training was necessary. It was not the slightest use spending a great deal of money on arm- if there were not trained men to operate them. ... There was compulsory unionism in New Zealand already said Mr W. G. Thompson, and surely the defence of the country was the biggest- union in and Dominion or in any country. The principle of training men in public works camps under union officers was opposed by Mr T. Stockdill. He was not envisaging any internal trouble in New Zealand, but .if ever that position should arise, this principle would place a great power in the hands of the unions., Mr J. S. Dickie remarked that the union was against compulsion in any form. He moved an amendment—- “ That the conference endorses the Government’s present policy in defence matters and offers its hearty co-opera-tirn; r but that if the oresent system should prove inadequate, a compulsory system should be introduced.” Mr A. C. Cameron and Mr R. H. Cockburn strongly supported the remit. The amendment had only four votes in favour of it. and the remit was carried. FATE ‘ »F RESOLUTIONS A remit from the executive read as follows: “That the Dominion Conference be urged to instruct the executive to set up from its number a sub-committee of three, such sub-com-mittee to meet the day before each Dominion executive meeting tor the primary purpose of going through Dominion Conference or Dominion executive remits presented to the Government during the two previous years, and which had not been given effect to, with a view to deciding: Whether in the light of the Governmental reply the matter be dropped, the district fathering the ••emit tc be advised to this effect: whether further representations be made to the Government; whether a deputation wait upon the Government; the possibility ot cooperation with other rural or business bodies with a view to increasing the pressure; that in the event of such sub-committee functioning, that it be given power to carry into effect its recommendations for furthering decisions already approved of by Dominion conference or executive. The remit was carried after Mr A. C Cameron had explained its aim and Mr Mulholland had spoken of the responsibility of the branches to follow up their remits FERTILISER CHARGES The Lawrence branch was responsible for the following remit:—(ai “That in view of the low prices of nrimary products, the Government be asked to reduce the price of superphosphate. (b) That the Government be urged to abolish the charge of 5s per ton made in the price of superphosphate to provide free railage points.”

There was a cry nowadays for Increased production, said the mover, Mr R. C. Hall. Mr D. G. Sullivan had been boasting of the good year experienced by the railways, and a reduction in the railage costs was an obvious means of giving the farmers relief and so encouraging greater production.

The concessions that were being given to some farmers in the South Island were given directly at the expense of the other farmers, said Mr R. S. Thompson. The remit aimed at a reduction to £3 16s a ton for superphosphate. which was the North Island rate. A comparison with the position of Victorian farmers, who paid £2 15s a ton for a better article against the South Island price of £4 2s, showed clearly how South Island farmers were handicapped. The only way in which farmers could receive proper treatment was to band together and manufacture their own superphosphate. They could not expect , any great improvement while proprietary companies were supplying them. * Mr Cockburn said he was in full agreement with the first, clause of the •remit. He did not think it was wise, however, to press for the abolition of the 5s per ton to provide free railage points. Farmers beyond a certain radius of the works would find that they had to carry *a sharp increase in the cost of superphospate. He urged the conference to deal with the two clauses separately. Let them support the first clause by all means, but they should not take any action about the second. Mr A. Grant said that farmers wer*> hardly being consistent in voting against a guaranteed price for their own produce one minute and then asking the Government to fix the price of someone else’s product. The remit was unfortunately worded with its reference to a request to the Government to reduce the price. Mr J. George (Roxburgh) said that Mr Thompson v/as inconsistent in now asking the Government to reduce the price when a short time ago he said the only possible solution of the fertiliser problem was farmers’ cooperative fertiliser works. Mr Thompson said the remit was not designed to interfere wtih the manufacturers’ price. It asked for a reduction in the selling price to the farmer. Mr S. P. Cameron said the Department of Industries and Commerce was carrying out investigations with respect 'to the relation of the 5s per ton charge to the demand for superphosphate. It was possible that the position had changed since the charge was put on, and he suggested that that question should be left over in the meantime to see what the Department of Industries and Commerce did. Mr T. Stockdill said that the Farmers’ Union should be represented in such investigations, seeing that what was done with free railage points would have a considerable effect on many farmers. Mr S'. P. Cameron said that Mr Thompson was wrong when he said the New Zealand grade of super was inferior to that in Australia. Actually, the two grades were the same. Also, when Mr Thompson said superphosphate was £2 15s a ton in Victoria he did not explain that at that price farmers had to provide their own bags, and bags at the present time were 7s 6d a ton of superphosphate, v . Mr G. M. Love (Moa Flat) moved that the remit should be referred to the executive for consideration. Mr T. E. Whiteside (Waipahi) said with respect to Mr Cameron's ■ statement about bags costing 7s-6d a ton, that he was in the habit of sending his sacks into the works for refilling,and was allowed only 4s -a ton. Why was that? He thought they should ask the companies to rectify that. The remit was referred to the executive. HYDATIDS CONTROL The Maniototo branch sponsored the following remit:—“That some form of compulsion is necessary to ensure that all dogs are treated for the hydatid tape worm, and that the Stock Department of the Department of Agriculture should take control of the treatment.”

Mr C. J. Inder (Maniototo) said there was a certain amount of. negligence on the part of farmers who have failed to use every precaution and remedy available. It seemed to him that compulsion was the best means of dealing with the matter. Dr Bennett* director of hydatid research at the Otago Medical School, said that prevention of hydatids was a very' necessary work. The sole source of the disease was the dog, so that there was a ■ chance of .controlling the trouble and sweeping the country clear of it. That was why preventive measures with dogs should be enforced. There were 3500 hospital cases of hydatids in the Dominion, and with 20,000,000 infected animals on the farms of the country the possibility of increase was great. It was a terrible thing to think that every second cow or sheep on the land was affected, but the source of all infection was the dog. and by attacking the disease through the dog the problem could be removed forever. To achieve that result it was necessary to keep dogs clear of hydatids. That could be done by preventing dogs from eating livers and lungs, and also of dosing the dogs with arecolin. Many of them would know of the beneficial effect of the arecolin treatment. It not only eradicated the hydatid worm and prevented the spread of hydatid disease, but it checked the spread of no fewer than four stock diseases. Speaking of the remit, Dr Bennett said it was in accord with the hydatid control programme and he hoped that it would be. carried unanimously. The assistance provided in the remit should, contribute largely to the eradication of the disease. . . The motion was earned unanimously. SOCIAL SECURITY TAX The executive moved: “ That the amount paid on Social Security tax be allowed as a deduction from, the amount on which income tax is assessed.” The remit was carried. NOXIOUS WEEDS The executive forwarded the following remit:—“ (a) That the Government be urged to pursue a more vigorous policy in regard to the eradication of noxious weeds, (b) That the Noxious Weeds Act be amended in the direction of making local bodies responsible for keeping road lines clear of noxious W M? S T Stockdill (Miller’s Flat), moving the remit, said , it was not a case of asking the Government for something when it was hard up. The Government was merely being asked to accelerate things to enable some impression to be made on a very serious nuisance. Farmers to-day could not get money to save the land from ruin, but at the same lime three golf courses had been made in Dunedin, one of them at a cost of £I3OO from the No. 13 Scheme free money, Some of that money at least could have been used for the checking of the spread of noxious weeds. Thus the work could be done and farmers could be asked to pay a proportion of the wages of the No. 13 Scheme. Mr W. R. Wedge (Palmerston) said there was a scheme for a 75 per cent, subsidy on contract labour already in existence. Moving the second clause, Mr Stockdill said that farmers should not be held responsible for noxious weeds on the roads, but it was not proposed that the clearing of roadlines by local bodies should cause any further taxation of farmers. The speaker suggested that a delegation be sent from the Dominion Executive to meet the Government during the Dominion conference. and ascertain whether No. 13 men could be made available for the clearing ot noxious weeds. The first clause was adopted and the second was rejected. Mr Stockdill’s suggestion of a delegation to the Government from the Dominion conference was also carried

CONTROL OF SHEEI -STEALING The Palmerston branch moved the following remit: " (a) That in view of the prevalence of sheep stealing throughout New Zealand, the Dominion Executive be instructed to prepare definite suggestions for the tightening up of the law, particularly in respect to prohibiting the droving of stock after sun-down, and the carriage of sheep or lambs by lorry after sundown without a permit, (b) That it

be a suggestion to the Dominion Executive that a system of stopping lorries after sun-down, and inspecting the contents of lorries suspected of holding sheep be introduced.” Mr W. R. Wedge said that many farmers did not realise how much sheep stealing was going on. He could assure them that it was a very real menace. He quoted the instance of a farmer in the Palmerston district who lost 200 two-tooth ewes last year, and who was visited every three years. His neighbours were not treated in the same way because the thieves knew that.if they made a general haul a common cause would be created. As it was, this particular victim had to suffer in silence. Mr A. C. Cameron said there was no, doubt about the. prevalence of .this' class of theft. . The position was very serious on runs which had entrances' by back roads. He was satisfied that farmers would have to get the Police. Department to take the matter up more, seriously. At the present time no inspector or policeman had any right to inspect the contents of a covered lorry, night or day, and he thought that such powers should be fdven. Mr W. Sutherland (Clinton), .said every pen of sheep offered in a sale yard should have to carry a certificate showing the name and address of the owner and the selling agent , The remit was adopted. LOCAL BODY FRANCHISE

The conference reaffirmed the following remit dealing with a suggested revision of local body franchise;— “That this conference urges that the franchise for power board, hospital board, and harbour board elections be altered so that only ratepayers in the boroughs be eligible to vote.- This conference is emphatically, of opinion that where the result of any poll taken in a borough will have the effect of imposing a tax in the country districts that voting should be restricted to ratepayers only.” Mr G. M. Love (Moa Flat) said that in respect of harbour board and power board elections, borough populations could often outvote country electors by two to one. The motion was carried. ’k : LAND BOARD POLICY At the instance of the executive, the following remit was reaffirmed:—(a) “That the Government be again approached and urged to reconsider its attitude in- regard to the question of goodwill on Crown lease. (b) That the union pursue a more vigorous policy to secure the immediate derating of farm lands.” Mr W. Scaife (Pembroke), who moved the remit, said that the elimination of goodwill was operating unfairly because the system of valuation was unfair and inequitable. If the valuation system were less unfair there could be very little objection to the abolition of goodwill. The whole matter had been threshed out before, and all that was asked now was that the conference should reaffirm its previous decision. Mr T. Stockdill (Miller’s Flat) mpved the adoption of the second clause, and said that although the immediate debating of farm lands was not possible, that was the farmer’s goal, and he thought that the union should lose no opportunity of pursuing the matter. The remit as a whole was carried. SALES TAX The "Maniototo branch moved as follows:—“ That the Government be asked to revise the list of farm implements and tools exempted from sales tax, and to include a number of essential tools, such as wire strainers, gates and gate hinges and fasteners, etc., which arc at present taxed.”’ The -remit was adopted. AMALGAMATION OF FARMERS’ BODIES The Roxburgh-Miller’s Flat branch moved: “That in view of the serious position of the farming industry today, the Farmers’ Union be urged to bring about amalgmation between the various primary producing organisations throughout' the Dominion.” Mr T. Stockdill moved the remit and stressed the urgent need for complete co-operation among all sections of the farming community. The main issue was between the Sheepowners’ Federation and the Farmers’ Union,. ..which he considered should be amalgamated. Mr D. H. Cockburn said the remit was not definite enough in its terms and did not stress the need strongly enough. The Primary Producers and Auxiliary Industries Council was a body which represented most farming organisations, but it had not been functioning as efpciently as it might. Such a council, however, should be the solution of their present difficulty and he would like to move as an. amendment -“ That in view of the serious position of the farming industry to-day the New Zealand Farmers’ Union endeavour to arrange in Wellington at the time of the Dominion conference a conference of delegates fully representative of all primary producing and auxiliary industries with a view to discussing amalgamation or at least the thorough reorganisation of the existing Primary Producers and Auxiliary Industries Council.” Mr W. Scaife seconded the amendment. and said the question was one of the most vita! that had come before them at the conference, and was worthy of more serious consideration than there was time for at that stage. The remit was withdrawn in favour of the amendment, which was carried unanimously. CALL TO ACTION

Mr K„ J. E. Smith (Wedderburn) moved—“lf the Government refuses to free the exchange or to effect a substantial reduction in farmers’ costs, the Dominion Executive be instructed to form a committee representative of all primary producers for the purpose of handling the situation itself. ’ . The mover said the position was so serious that he did not think that either the remit or the amendment went far enough. He had little faith in the commission that had been promised, and thought that it was time for every fanner in the country to get together. The farmer had been down once; he was going down a second time, and the only thing to do before it was too late was to act, and act quickly. ■He hoped that they would pass the resolution and show the Government and the country that they meant if necessary to act for themselves. The motion was carried. TRANSFER OF MR J. M. SMITH Reference to the transfer of Mr J. M. Smith to Auckland was contained in the following remit: “That while congratulating Mr J. M. Smith upon his nromotion, this conference sincerely regrets the loss of the ,services of one who has carried out his duties as superintendent of the Fields Division in Otago and Southland with conspicuous ability, and who has at all times shown a sincere sympathy with and knowledge of the various .Problems facing the farming community. The chairman expressed the disappointment of the executive that Mr Smith was leaving Otago, although it was pleased that he was being given well-earned promotion. Mr Smith was undoubtedly a most efficient and popular officer and Hamilton was fortunate in securing his services. Thanks and good wishes to Mr Smith were expressed by other executive members and by representatives of branches and Young Farmers’ Clubs in North Otago and all parts of Otago. He was generally congratulated on his new appointment, which was to a highly coveted position, and the opinion was expressed that he would not be long in “ reaching the very top of the tree." The remit was carried to the accompaniment of musical honours, and was acknowledged by Mr Smith. VOTES OF APPRECIATION

The following resolutions of thanks and appreciation were carried by acclamation:—

“ That this conference sends its greetings to the members of the Women’s Division in conference; congratulates it upon the fine work it is doing; thanks it for its friendly cooperation during the past year; and wishes it every success for the future.” “ That this conference expresses its warm appreciation of the work carried out during the year by the Dominion president, Mr W. W. Mulholland.” “That this conference places on record its appreciation of the services rendered to the union by the retiring members of executive—Messrs R. J. E. Smith, T. Gordon, C, W. Hallum and A. Renton.”

SOCIAL GATHERING 1 DELEGATES FOREQAinfe ' INFORMAL FUNCTION IN CONCERT CHAMBER f 'J The combined social gathering ?, of delegates to the Farmers' Uniofi and Women’s Division, . Farmers’ Union, conferences was held in-the Town Hall Concert Chamber' last" night, a very large gathering participating in an enjoyable evening of-music and social converse. In addition to the delegates present, many ,of the public and other bodies in the city were represented, and as m.previous evenings of the same type;J complete informality was the keynote of the function. At the commencement of the evening the new- president of the W.D.F.U., Mrs Annan, of Clyde, who was introduced to the gathering ;by Mr A. C. jCameron, welcomed the delegates and guests, who included the ; Minister of Agriculture (Mr Lee. Martin) and the Dominion president of the Farmers Union 'Mr W.-'W. Mulholland). . • Later in the'function the provincial president of the Farmers’ Union (Mr R. S. Thompson) expressed pleasure at being able to join with the president of the W.D.F.U. in extending a welcome to the delegates, and expressed thanks to Mr A. C. Cameron, who had been responsible for the organisation of the function that night. -Mr Lee “Martin expressed thanks for ,the welcome extended to him, and assured his hearers that he was very happy to be present at the function, as he had pleasant recollections .pf an evening spent in the same way.m Dun,edin two years ago. He offered his congratulations to the new presidents and executives of the Farmers,-Union organisations in the province, and said that he knew something - of- farmers troubles, but was inclined to the belief that they made too much of-them. He pointed out that similar troubles had been overcome in the . past; andalthough, farming- was .perhaps the “ Cinderella ” of the , industries, he was , certain that if the farmers their difficulties they would find that they could be overcome. Mr Lee Martin concluded by assuring his hearers that he would always do everything in his power to assist the • farming community as a whole. Mr Mulholland also spoke briefly and said that in Mr .Lee Martin they had a Minister of Agriculture who had the interests of the farmers very sincerely at heart. As proof of that it might be stated that he was a past-president of a large provincial union in the north, and was also a past member .of the Auckland provincial executive. During the evening enjoyable .selections were provided by Begg’s Orchestra, conducted by Mr F. Himburg. and songs were sung by Mrs Bruce Smellie (Miller’s Flat), Mrs E. J. Iversen (Alexandra), Mr A. Jones, and.- Mr Lex Macdonald. A particularly enjpyable. interlude was the ; appearance pf Miss Rowena Japkson. the talented f-ypung Invercargill - dancer, Who gayejtwo dances,, which were warmly -appro-, .dated. Miss Muriel Caddie played the r pianoforte, accompaniments,