SHEEPOWNERS’ UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23830, 9 June 1939, Page 7

SHEEPOWNERS’ UNION

PROBLEMS DISCUSSED ANNUAL MEETING HELD The annual meeting of the Otago and Southland Sheep Owners’ Industrial Union of Employers was held yesterday. The president (Mr James Begg) was in the chair, and there was a representative attendance of members. ~ , , The annual report, which dealt fully with the activities of the union during the year, and the balance sheet were adopted. Office-bearers The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: President, Mr James Begg; vicepresident, Mr W. O. McKellar; committee—Messrs J. Andrew, J. C. Begg, F. D. Bell, D. H. Cockburn, D. Finlayson, J. S. Hazlett, Alex. S. Holms, Dickson Jardine, G. M, Love, W J. A. McGregor, John MacKenzie, J. McK. Morgan, D. Marshall, A. McKinnon. A. C. Nichols, W. J. Reid, James A. Roberts, John M. Rose, W. A. Scaife, W. S. Thomson, Allan Speight. Sterling Funds The meeting discussed various problems which confronted the industry at the present time, and lengthy consideration was given to its economic position. In this connection resolutions were passed protesting against the burden of the replenishment of the sterling funds being placed upon the exporters by the commandeer of the sterling proceeds of produce. A second resolution was passed to the effect that if the Government found the commandeer of sterling funds to be necessary a full market equivalent in New Zealand currency should be returned to the exporter. Such equivalent could only be ascertained by the bank fixing the exchange rate at a point where supply and demand balanced. Guaranteed Prices The question of guaranteed prices for wool and meat was also discussed, and the meeting was unanimous irt opposition to the institution of any form of control by the Government of these commodities. Various other subjects were also discussed and at the conclusion of the meeting in a vote of thanks to the chairman, appreciative reference was made of the valuable information on matters of vital interest which Mr Begg had been able to give io the meeting.