N.Z FARMER UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 16

N.Z FARMER UNION.

CLUTHA BRANCH

At !1 meeting of till! ( "lilt 1 lit lira Ill'll of the Now Zealand Fariru rs’ I’nion. Mr Joseph Mosley pn siding, a circular letter from a Dumtiin drapery firm wliich kail keen before tile Otago Executive was read, the eliairnian remarking that it \v;i* a big scheme, and if properly carried out farmers would be able not ‘only to gel cheap drapery, but ironmongery and groceries; in fact', everything they wanted. The chairman refei red to the difficulties placed in the way of people who wished to‘import, stud stock. They were made to pay through the Custom’s, which he thought was not light. The (JoverumentK of other countries encouraged importation of stock, hut such was not the case in New Zealand, lie also drew attention to the fact, that the Otago Provincial Office would now act as a labour exchange, and farmers might send a note of their requirements to the branch secretary, who would forward it on to the provincial secretary. By request of Mr («. B. Somerville made a statement in regard to the ease in which a well-known Dunedin linn refused to take delivery of chaff on the ground that it was not in prime condition. The magistrate’s decision was in favour of the firm. Mr Somerville stated that eight and a-holf months after t he cas • was finished the chaff had keen sold in Dunedin, and had realised “prime” prices, notwithstanding that 55 sacks were damaged through lying for such a lengthy time on a concrete floor. The chaff brought all over £3 12s 6d at a time when prime chaff was quoted at £3 10s to £3 15s. In the discussion which followed various suggestions were made, one being that delivery should always he given on trucks at th farmer’s station ; another that farmers

should not sign a sale note with the word “prime” on it, but that the buyer should buy outright from sample. It was evident that those present considered they were not getting fair play from certain Dunedin firms in the matter of rejecting produce, and more than one ease was quoted where a consignment which had been rejected was, on inquiry, found of good quality. ''