SOUTH OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23955, 2 November 1939, Page 9

SOUTH OTAGO

MILTON Farmers’ Union Meeting There was an attendance of about 50 district farmers at the mass meeting under the auspices of Milton branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union held in St. John s Hall, Milton, on Tuesday night The president of the branch, Mr A. Tweed, was in the chair, and there were also present Messrs R. S. Thompson (Lawrence president of the Otago Provincial Executive). R. McCaw (Waitahuna), R. H. Michelle and D. Grant (Milton), members of the executive. The meeting was called to endorse resolutions carried at a mass meeting held in Dunedin recently dealing with regulation of prices at Burnside stock sales, the lifting of the marketing restrictions at the end of the war. and asking for direct representation on tlie central executive so as to allow farmers to have a say in the fixation of prices. Mr Thompson said that Milton had always been a stronghold of the union, and in dealing witli the position leading up to the passing of recent legislation by the Government the Farmers’ Union had been the farmers’ watchdog, and had been instrumental in preventing legislation detrimental to the farmers’ interests being placed on the Statute Book, but unfortunately some of this legislation had reached there and it would be necessary to take very definite action. During election year the Government had spent £7,800,000 from the Employment Promotion Account, representing 73d per lb over the whole of a year's wool clip. Taxation in New Zealand was the highest in the British Empire. Other Hems which received the attention of the speaker were import restrictions. exchange rate, and public works. Speaking about the fixation of prices at Burnside sales Mr Thompson said that no allowance had been made by tbe Government for farmers’ increased costs for manure, fencing, etc. If the present trend of legislation were allowed to go on unchecked the Government would soon be telling the farmer what to do. He considered that the co-operative movement was the only way out of the farmers' difficulties. Mr R. McCaw said he thought the Government’s interference in the auction sales of stock had roused the farmers and created greater interest in the union. The great benefits people were' at present enjoying were, unfortunately, at the expense of tlie farming community which would have to do something to safeguard itself. The Government was unsystematic towards the farmers. Other speakers were Messrs Michelle and Grant. The endorsing of three resolutions was carried unanimously. Cartage of Stock The action of the president and secretary in forwarding letters to the Transport Licensing Authority in connection with the cartage of stock by lorry to Burnside and also advocating retention of route licences was approved, and it was decided that Messrs A. Tweed and W. J. Sheat officially represent the fat lamb and store sheep growers at the adjourned sitting of the Transport Authority at Balclutha to assist the local lorry-owners to retain their licences.

To Combat Legislation The meeting went into committee to discuss certain proposals of the principal speaker .to combat Government legislation and it was decided: "That this meeting of Milton district farmers support the central committee in any reasonable action it may decide to take.”