FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, 1 June 1910, Page 21

FARMERS' UNION.

CONFERENCE AT MARTON.

MARTON, May 24. A conference of Farmers' Union branches in ihe Wellington province opened at Marton to-day, about 50 delegates being present. A motion expressing its great sorrow and deep sense of the national loss in the death of King Edward was carried in silence. The President (Mr J. G. Wilson) pointed out that while farmers were more successful in farm and grass country, the dairy' districts did r.ot give support so much as might be expected. Dairy farmers Were much behind the age. By joining and working together they could largely increase their profits. He blamed the system of milking oh shares for .the want of progress. The output per cow should be raised at least to 2501b5. The skim milk should be pasteurised to kill tuberculosis germs. He spoke of the successful season with farmers in Wellington province. Prices for woal had recovered, but prices were disappointing for frozen meat, except beef, for which- there was a good prospect. Speaking of the shear era' award, he said the agitators' idea was to take farmers in detail, and it was a misnomer to call it an Arbitration Act. It should be named an act to create strife and l interfere with .industry. He showed that the Mutual Insurance Co. had had a good year, although they had lowered their rates. As scon as a sufficient reserve fund had been created they would again be lowered. Speaking of the Land Bill, the Prime Minister had tried to please everybody and ended by pleasing none: They would all look forward with much curiosity to the bill promised this session. The union wanted to see the workers in the towns and the farmers in the country given the right to get the freehold. Some more energy was needed in the settlement of native lands. He expressed regret at seeing such a,large area of good native land lying idle. A vigorous policy of settling these lands would be of great importance to the country. He hoped the Native Minister would display more activity than in the past. He denounced the unfair treatment of the State coal mine, because its coal paid- no royalty to the Government nor harbour board, and was sent to depots which paid no rates. Among the remits adopted was one dealing with the system of land valuation. The question caused considerable discussion, and a motion was carried favouring taxation being raised on the unimproved value rather than on the capital value, and that the valuation should be made periodically in not less than four-year intervals; also that a fair and reasonable valuation on improvements be allowed by the valuers.

The conference adopted a motion urging on the'department the necessity for putting into active operation a clause in the Noxious Weeds Act prohibiting the sale of chaff, oats, aind all kinds of farm seeds containing the seed of noxious weeds. Delegates were entertained at a banquet to-night, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister for Agriculture, being present. May 25.

At the Farmers' Union Conference, which closed its session to-night, a system of inspection of stallions was urged. Mr C. J. Reakes, Chief Veterinarian, said he fully realised that something should be done to prevent unsound stallions travelling around the country. They could arrive at the end desired without pressing unduly hard on horseowners. Some practical aind effective way of getting rid of the unsound stallions would have to be adopted. A voluntary system had been suggested, and this had proved satisfactory up to a certain point in Australia. It was not possible to arrive at the amount of improvement effected by the scheme until power had been given by legislation to prevent or limit the use of rejected or unsound stallions. His belief was that the voluntary system was useless. The scheme he outlined was that it should not be made compulsory for stallions over three years old at the time. Such stallions could, of course, come up for examination if owners liked. With the exception of aged horses, all hardship would be done away wren. After a few years, of course, all sires would have to come up for examination. This examination should be carried out by two vets, or two good judges of horses. They did not want scrubbers going round. It would be possible to establish a scheme of insurance aginst condemnation. Speaking of the dairying industry, he said when the present system was in thorough working order he believed it would be found thoroughly effective. Mr J. G-. Wilson was re-elected president. The next confernce will be held at Woodville.

CONFERENCE AT CHRISTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, May 26. Speaking at the provincial conference of

the Farmers' Union here this morning, Mr Richard Evans, president, said the season had been the most disappointing he had ever known, particularly .after the great expectations of spring. I'm many cases the grain might very well have been burnt. After making more or less political references in a gloomy strain, Mr Evans concluded : "I can only compare New Zealand to Rome in the clays when Nero fiddled and the people around him danced." It was agreed that the union strongly supports auctioneers in their endeavour to prevent the cutting up of purchases of fat sheep and lambs for freezing purposes, it being inimical to the interest*; of vendors. In the course of a. discussion it was explained that it was customary for buyers attending sheep sales to form rings, one belonging to the ring to do the bidding for a line, and after the sale the successful bidder cut up the lot among those in the ring. Several speakers contended that this nullified the intention of competition, and farmers were deprived of getting the best prices for their stock. Three weeks ago, it was stated, the auctioneers refused to recognise anyone but the successful bidder in making up their account sales, and in selling, and further decided not to do anything that would facilitate the cutting up of purchases. The subject was raised in a remit forwarded by the Cvford branch ' of the union—" That the Farmers' Union strongly supports the auctioneers in their endeavour to prevent the cutting up of purchases of fat sheep and lambs for freezing purposes, it being . inimical to the interests of competition." Mr J. O'Halloran, in moving the adoption of the remit, said that a farmer might send 500 sheep to the saleyards, and they would be purchased at auction. The purchaser, however, would 'divide up the number into lots of 50 or 100 each, or even less, with other buyers who had not made a bid. This reduced the competition, and it was absolutely against the interests of the farmers. He had on one occasion suffered a loss through the practice, and after that he never sent another sheep to the particular yards at which the incident occurred. He believed that the auctioneers had done something to amend the practice, but it should be abolished altogether. Mr Clothier seconded the motion He said the buyers, he knew, had sometimes got almost to blows over these transactions, accusing one another of bidding against the " ring." Mr G. Sheat said that he believed the auctioneers were against the practice as much as the farmers were, and during the past three weeks had refused to have anything to do with the cutting up. They insisted on giving delivery to only one man. The auctioneer could not do more than that. It was impossible for him to utterly prevent this form of cooperation. Mr Leadley said that the sytsem had been pretty bad in his district. At the fat stock sales he had known as small a lot as 60 lambs to be divided into two- lots. The system destroyed fair competition, and was not in the interests either of the auctioneer or the farmer. It was difficult to devise a scheme to stop it, but it was acting detrimentally to the interests of the trade. It would be in the interests of the farmers to send their sheep to the works direct rather than send them to the yards unless they could get fair competition. Mr Patterson said he did not see that the union could do anything. He had seen a nice lot of lambs at Addington knocked down a month ago at 13s 6d, and there was only one buyer who put in a bid. Mr Evans (president) said that if the auctioneer did not assist the buyers to share, the farmers would get the market price for their lambs. Mr T. B. Howson said that he had noticed the presence of the system at Burnside more than at any other yards. Other delegates agreed that if the auctioneers refused to recognise any division, but looked to the one purchaser for settlement, they would be doing all that was possible, and that this would do much to defeat the " ring." May 27. The annual conference of the North Canterbury Farmers' Union was concluded tjo-day. The following officers were elected :—President; Mr O. F. Clothier; vice-president, 'Mr F. G. Horrell; hon. treasurer, Mr Wilfred Hall; auditor, Mr T. H. Caverhill; delegates to the conference at Wellington, Messrs R. Evans and F. G. Horrell. The following remit from Taranaki Provincial Executive was discussed: — " That all the provincial executives be written to asking their co-operation in protesting against the extraordinary methods of the State Fire Insurance Department, and to resist the department's umderhand endeavours by the improper use of confidential information, and, by misleading suggestions, "to steal the business of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Association." The methods protested against were—(l) State fire insurance agents were supplied with the names of borrowers from the Advances to Settlers' Department, the amount of cover held by the Farmers' Mutual on properties of those borrowers, and the date of renewal. (2) Having obtained this information, the agents wrote to those insurers well before the date of renewal, and, inter alia, stated that it was the wish of the superintendent of the Advances to Settlers' Office that they should insure in the State office. The proposal form accompanied the letter with certain particulars already filled in, which particulars could only be got from the policy with the Farmers' Mutual, and which that office paid to get. The insurer was asked to complete the proposal and forward it on, so as to reach the superintendent well prior to the due date. A remit by Mr W. T. Lill (Ashburton) was also considered—" That the attention of the North Canterbury Provincial Conference should be called to the methods

employes by the State Fire Department i)i endeavouring to obtain the insurances of mortgagees to the Government Advances to Settlers Department. It appears to us that there is a breach of confidence in one department divulging its business to the other, and it is this phase of the question which calls for protest. We ask the conference to endorse and emphasise this protest." Mr LiU said that the Government was taking an. unfair advantage of other insurance companies. He considered the Government, as a mortgagee, had no right to dictate to the mortgagor in which office he should insure the security. M.r C. Reid said the Government was creating a very big monopoly, despite its avowed hatred of monopolies. Mr O'Halloran said the farmers were a very important section of the people of New Zealand, and as the people of New Zealand were the State, they should certainly, if they embarked in business, get as miuch business as they could. He did not approve of the policy of State insurance, but saw no reason why if the State lent money it should not compel the borrower to insure in the State office. Mr Roberts asked if any members present had had experience of the operation of the methods complained of. The Chairman said be thought the presence of the remit from Ashburton, and also of a similar one from Bar field, showed that there had been experience of the methods in the district. Mr 0. F. Clothier said he thought consideration of the matter might very well be deferred till some member was able to personally testify as to it. Mr Lill said that if that system was to apply, the operations of the conference would be very circumscribed. The remits were adopted. • CONFERENCE AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, May 26. At to-day's Auckland Provincial Conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. Captain Colbeck, representing the Clevedon. branch, moved.—" That a -farmers' party be formed." They were told, he said, that they had representation in Parliament. It was true that 24 farmers were members of the House of Representatives, bat unfortunately, 12 were on the Government side and 12 on the Opposition. "It seemes to me," said Captain Colbeck, " that the farmers in the House are not worth a rap to us. They are tied by party, and vou have only to look at the legislation of the last five years to know it. The Sale and Importation of Machinery Act is one. of the most extraordinary measures ever put through the House. We want to run our own. candidates. Man is politically what he is born. Liberals are Liberals from birth, and Tories are Tories from birth. The only way to get the farmers to vote solidly is to bring forward candidates who are neither Government nor Opposition. What we want is a farmers' party." Mr J. S. Montgomerie (Mangere) said he was convinced that a farmers' party was an actual necessitv. Mr J. S. Wilson (Auckland) said he was satisfied that the farmers' interests were keenly watched in Parliament by the Opposition. Mr Ross said the farmers were well represented, but the trouble was that the farmers never knew what they wanted. Captain Colbeck. in the course of hi? reply, said the discussion had been a saddening one. He took it that they had no political desire, and no sense. It was a farce to say that the farmers were well represented'. He wanted to see the Union fighting for its own principles. The motion \vas carried.

HAWKE'S BAY BRANCH. HASTINGS, Mav 27.

The annual conference of the Hawke's Bay provincial district of the Farmers' Union was held here to-day. Three branches were represented. Mr A. L. D. Fraser, who was voted to the chair in the unavoidable absence of the president, delivered an address. Mr Fraser said it appeared to him that there never was a time in the history of New Zealand when it was more necessary for farmers to unite than at the present time, and he therefore considered it was regrettable to see the falling off of interest union in various parts of the Dominion. There was, for instance, still much to do and to watch regarding the land question, especially in view o'f the delays that were put in the way of both Europeans and Natives settling on the land. Mr Eustace Lane was elected president.

The re lits agreed to for forwarding to; the 'Donf'iic'n Conference included cue in favour o' cooperative meat freezing by larmers. It was also decided that a sub-' committee be formed to wait on the local freezing companies and ask them to classify lambs into three classes, and to advertise A, B. and C grade trices.

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE.

INVERCARGILL, May 27. At a conference of the Southland Branch of the Farmers' Union the following were amongst the remits adopted : " That, in view of the statement of the Prime Minister that a Land Rill containing the samp principles as that introduced fcfet session and withdrawn will be again intiodnced. the conference places on record its opinion that no legislation can be satisfactory to the Farmers' Union which does not contain the right of all tenants of th-% Crown to the freehold option ; that under compulsory military service some system of payment of men serving should be made from the public purse, as it would be unfair for the employer to pay wages; that farmers borrowing mcinay from the Advances to Settlers Office should be at liberty to effect fire insurance in any sound office they choose; that a strong protest be made against the system compelling Sixth Standard pupils at country .cafcnols attending the centres for examination."

TAPANUIBRANCH

A meeting' of above branch was held in the Central Hall on May 19, Mr J. D. Rodger occupying the chair. It was decided to circulate a petition for presentation to Parliament petitioning for an> amendment of ''The Crown Suits Act, 1908," so> as to provide the legal means for instituting a claim for damage or injury against the State Coal Department or any State trading department now, or later, established, thus placing such departments under the same legal liahility asis now the case'with respect to Railways, Pnst and Telegraph, Rosds and Bridges, and other departments. After the routine business, was completed, the chairman reviewed the work of the Otago Provincial Conference held in Dunedin on May 6, when he was very favourably impressed wit h the manner. jn which the remits were brought forward and discussed. The chairman was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for representing the branch at the conference. WAIKAKA VALLEY BRANCH. At the annual meeting of the Waikaka Valley branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union the balance sheet submitted showed a credit balance of 18s. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year :—Chairman, Mr Hugh Smith (re-elected); -vice-chairman, Mr Geo. Mox? rison; secretary and treasurer, Mr James M'Phail, jun.; committee—Messrs M'Phail, Gilchrist, Clouston, and Cockburn.; auditor, Mr S.. White. The subscription was fixed) at 10s. It was decided to hold meetings on the first Wednesday of every second; month dating from July. Mr D." Gilchrist was appointed delegate to the Southland conference.

SOUTH CANTERBURY CONFERENCE.

At the annual conference of delegates representing the South Canterbury branches, held at Timaru, a comprehensive report submitted reviewed the work dona during the year. There are now seven branches in the district with a membership of 476. Mr John Talbot, the president, supplemented the information in the report, and consideration was given to the remits from the branches. Officebearers were elected as follows:—President. Mr John Talbot; vice-president, M* A. Garland; treasurer, Mr G. L. T*,venfcyman; secretary, Mr A. Thoreau; auditor, Mr J. R. Lack; executive, President, vicepresident, treasurer, and Messrs J. Campbell, R. Catherwood, J. Drinna-n. C. N. Orbell, T. Soott, J. Henderson, J. Holweli R Skinner, J. Withell, and R. Irving (all delegates to be summoned to meetings of the executive); Defence Fund Committee, president, vics-pTtfsident, and troa?rrer

WAIANIWA BE AX CE.

At the annual meeting- of the YVaianiwa, branch of the Farmers' Union the report stated that the year closed with a small credit balance. Many important question* had been discussed. The .coming year waa expected to wita3tfc a large increase in menw bership. The following office-bearers wewl elected:-President, Mr A. M'Kenzie; vice? president, Mr G. Bennie; secretary ami treasurer, Mr T. Eraser; auditor, Mr K«i Pennington, jun.; committee—Messrs J* M Crostie, A. Beaven, D. Marshall, W. Ford*. J. M'Pherson, D. M'Fariane, D. M'OalluM and W. R. RoimlW ; delegates, the president and D. MaitfcdS. The subscription was fixed at 7s tx>; to be held quarterly.