GUEST SPEAKERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27096, 2 June 1949, Page 10

GUEST SPEAKERS

FARMERS WELCOMED TO CITY TOWN AND COUNTRY UNITY “ I suggest that next year at your conference one of your executive meetings be held’ in the Mayoral Chambers and that you be the guest of the Mayor who will be pleased to extend civic hospitality to you,” said Sir Donald Cameron yesterday afternoon when speaking to delegates at the annual conference of Federated Farmers of Otago. “ I have always been your guest, and it is now time you were the guest of the Mayor and the city,” he said.

Extending a welcome to delegates, the Mayor said he wished to take the opportunity of complimenting all those men and women who had taken any part in preparing the excellent district centennial publications. They msde an excellent contribution to the centennial history of the province, he said.

The chairman of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, Mr A. S. Falconer, speaking of the need for the closest co-operation between town and country, said both rural and town people had something to give in solving any problems that might arise. Touching on farming problems Mr Falconer said he considered the rabbit pest constituted the biggest problem the province of Otago had to face. Unfortunately, between the disbanding of the old Rabbit' Committee and the formation of the rabbit boards, rabbits had had breathing space for unmolested breeding. It was essential that every effort be exerted in their extermination.

Mr T. G. Tomkins, president of the Otago Southland Manufacturers’ Association, also welcoming the delegates, said the standard of living of every man, woman and child in the Dominion depended on the prosperity of the farmer.

Like Mr Falconer, he was conscious of the seriousness of the rabbit pest, but he could not see how the rabbit, which had 24 hours a day and seven days a week to multiply; could be held in check on a 40-hour week basis. Other speakers, guests of the conference were Mr D. L. Wood, president of the Dunedin RSA, Mr E. M. North, president of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and Mr A. S. Cookson, retiring secretary of the Otago Employers’ Association. >