FARMERS' UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24733, 9 October 1941, Page 9

FARMERS' UNION

MEETING OF PROVINCIAL COUNCIL COPING WITH RABBIT PEST A smaller and less contentious agenda paper than usual was before the Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers' Union at its meeting yesterday. Those present were Messrs W. Lee (in the chair), G. Crawford, J. S. Elliot, D. Finlayson, J. A. Johnston, A. Orbell, W. Sutherland, James Begg, A. C. Cameron, A. C. Leary, C. V. Dayus, and J. W. Wilson. Rabbit Control Scheme A brief outline of the rabbit control subsidy scheme was given by Mr C. V. Dayus, district superintendent of the Livestock Division of the Department of Agriculture. -The scheme, he said, was similar to that introduced last year and was for the purpose of carrying out an intensive campaign against the rabbit pest in the spring and summer when most of the breeding took place. It was different from last year's scheme, he added, in that the subsidy would be £3 10s for registered unemployed and £3 for men registered only for the scheme. There would be increased supervision this summer, and encouragement would be given to the formation of committees. Seasonal workers employed under the scheme would have to be released for such operations as shearing and harvesting. The greatest difficulty would be in getting the necessary labour, Mr Dayus said, but already 10 men were working under the scheme. Mr Leary said that it was obvious that the department had made a definite attempt to assist the farmer in coping with the rabbit pest, and on his motion, a resolution was carried commending the work of the officers of the department, and pledging support for the scheme. Shearing Classes

Mr A. Cameron reported that everything pointed to the proposed shearing classes,-to be held at Roxburgh from October '27 to November 7, being an outstanding success. Although enrolments did not close until October 20, 15 learners had already enrolled, the majority of these men having had a little previous experience of crutching etc., on farms. Ages ranged from 17 to 29, and the men concerned came from various parts of Otago and Southland, North and Central Otago being well represented. Mr Cameron anticipated that there would be at least 25 enrolments by the closing date of enrolments.

Work of Organiser

On behalf of the Organising Committee, Mr A. C. Leary reported that the organiser (Mr R. G. Findlay) had completed a canvass of the Wakatipu, Upper Clutha, Cromwell, Maniototo. Lauder, Ida Valley, and West Taieri districts. Mr Findlay's results had been very gratifying, as in addition to renewing existing memberships, he had enrolled 51 new members. Mr Findlay had reported that generally speaking the prestige of the union stood very high in the various districts visited. He had attended several branch meetings and the attendances and standard of discussion had been good. During the next few weeks, Mr Findlay would be working in the South Otago district prior to acting as chief instructor at the shearing classes at Roxburgh. General A remit from the Cromwell branch, stating that grants from public funds by Government or local bodies to members of their staffs entering the forces was wrong in principle as soldiers rendering equal service to their country would receive unequal reward for that service, was lost. The Waipahi branch forwarded a remit that Home Guard travelling expenses should be an allowable deduction for taxation purposes. It was stated that some members who were n.c.o.'s in the Waipahi platoon of the Home Guard attended two parades and an n.c.o.'s instruction class each week, and out-of-pocket expenses were considerable.—The remit was carried.