The Farmers' Union. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2516, 4 June 1902, Page 10

The Farmers' Union. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — I have just read with great interest your reports of the two meetings of the conference of the Otago Farmers' Union. With reference to the extension of time for dipping sheep from the end of April to the end of May, it would be a great benefit to a lot of us high-country farmers, as we would not need to muster so early before the winter. Still, I think no sheep, should be sold or offered for sale after the end of April that have not been dipped within the previous three months. Another thing I should like to bring before the notice of the union is tho matter of the sheep tax. Now, I take it that the sheep tax is to pay the stork inspector, and the stock inspector is inspector of cattle as well as cheep, and I think the sheep tax should be reduced onehalf—that ia, from 2s per 100 ehcep to Is per 100, and the rattle pay the other half, 3'l or 6d per head, whatever it might come to. We all know that dairy farming is paying better than sheep farming, and' if a farmer has his cows condemned for disease he gets, if I remember rightly, half their value from the Government, so that cattle have as much right to be taxed as sheep. Another thing brought before the conference was the. auctioneers' commission. Not much wonder they can't reduce it, they have too many highly-paid agents riding about the country in hired buggies pestering the farmers. Another thing I think should bo reduced is the yard dues at Burnside Cattleyards. I was "told by an agent not long ago that it was a? good as a gold mine t j the shareholders ; and if anyone wants to know for certain ju?t let them try to buy some sham*, and they will be surprised to find what they will have to give for them. I do not want to run down the auctioneer companies, as I must say we have some very obliging firms, but they must try aud meet the farmers. For if by 10s per member £60,000 could be raised for a direct shipping line to Africa, ton timca that amount could <-oon be raised to start a farmers' union association. — I am, etc., Farmer.