CONFERENCE OPENS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26479, 5 June 1947, Page 4

CONFERENCE OPENS

FEDERATED FARMERS OF OTAGO

REPORTS OF SECTIONS Almost 100 delegates from the various branches in Otago attended the opening in Dunedin yesterday of the second annual provincial conference of Federated Farmers. The provincial president, Mr S- Sim of Heriot, was in the chair, and associated with him were the vicepresidents. Messrs J. S. Hunt, of Maungawera, and J. Andrew, of Hyde. Good progress was made in disposing of a large volume of business yesterday and the conference will conclude to-day. Considerable headway had been made during the year by the various sections of the federation, it was stated. The many benefits obtained, for members far exceeded the amount paid by them for membership. Farmers’ Lime Bags

“ That farmers retain the right to have their own bags filled when sent to lime works,” was a remit adopted by the Agricultural Section of Federated Farmers. it was reported to the conference. The section discussed past and future contracts for peas and also potatoes, barley, seed-cleaning, and brassica seeds Mr H. A. S. Orbell, of Waikouaiti, was re-elected chairman of the section with Messrs T. S. Sheat, of Shag Point, and R. R Thompson, vice-chairmen. So far none of the sites offered had been deemed suitable for the establishment of an experimental and research station for Otago and Southland, said Mr Orbell He appealed to farmers for offers or information about a suitable area. Cabinet had approved a grant for establishing the station and a site would have to be found before a shortage of money might influence Cabinet to withdraw its offer. Results Awaited •• We are not making any comment on the Dairy Commission until its personnel have been appointed and its report is received by us,” said Mr N. M. Wright, of Palmerston, reporting on the meeting of the Dairy Section. The compulsory testing of cows for tubercule baccili had been discussed and it was considered that the compensation for condemned animals was not adequate. Mr Wright mentioned the difficulties experienced in obtaining the services of a veterinary surgeon in Dunedin, tie referred to the vaccination of cows against contagious abortion, adding that it would not be possible to tackle the problem thoroughly until the 40 veterinarians arrived back from their course in Australia. Consideration by the section was also given to bobbv calf'subsidies. Mr Wright was re-elected chairman and Mr A. O’Halloran. of Waikouaiti. vicechairman. Evidence for Commission Much organisation had been completed by the High Country Section during the year, said its chairman. Mr W. P. McDonald. of Queenstown. Evidence had been collected for presentation to the Royal Commission and the appointment of its personnel and the order of reference were awaited Otago had been divided into three areas Wakatipu, Wanaka and Maniototo—and reports from each area would be given to the commission. Erosion was a big problem in the high country and, because catchment boards and the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council had such great powers, high country men were striving for representation on these bodies. Poultry Interests So far there had not been any success in obtaining the No. 1 poultry mash, including meat meal, in Otago, said Mr R. T. Stedman, of Wakari, chairman of the Poultry Section. Otago was the only district in New Zealand without this desirable mash Mr Stedman also mentioned that there were more than 1000 regular poultry-keepers' in Otago and branches could make some effort to enlist them as members of Federated Farmers. « Neglected Riverbeds “ The cost of neglect of our riverbeds will be a mighty load on the prosperity of the country in the future,” said Mr J. Preston, chairman of the Meat and Wool Section, reminding members of the necessity for attention to this problem. In his references to the work of the section for the year, Mr Preston said that success had been achieved in having the subsidy to woollen mills, paid from the Consolidated Fund instead of by the small section of growers for local consumption. as had been the case in the past