N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 22

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, July 27. The report of the Produce Committee was considered by to-day's meeting of the Farmers’ Union. ‘‘That the Government be approached with a view to compelling New Zealand butchers to label as such frozen meat offered by them for sale,” was the Inst remit passed, the view being expressed that the consumer should be protected. The Government was asked to pass legislation that produce requiring cool storage from New Zealand for export should pas-s through the New Zealand cool stores in London when such are established. This, it was pointed out, was a subject which would bo discussed with Mr L. S. Amery when he arrives in New Zealand. ‘‘That the method of elections and appointments of both the meat and dairy boards be revised by Parliament so as to eliminate all commercial interests, and that the Government be asked to provide legislation to divide the Dominion into districts so that the producers themselves directly elect representatives on the Mettt Board,” were two remits, both of which were lost.

Five or six remits advocating tho taking by the Dominion Farmers’ Union of an active part in politics formed the basis of a discussion. One remit —‘‘That no political party should be formed within the ranks of the union" —showed that opinion on the subject was not unanimous. Two of Auckland's remits read as follows ; —“That in the opinion of this conference none of the political parties at present represented in Parliament has made any effective attempt to give the primary " producers fair treatment, and that the time has arrived when tho Farmers’ Union should take an active part in politics on an independent basis ’; and "This conference considers that the Government’s policy is unduly influenced by the commercial and wage-earning ciasscs, and calls on the farmers to organise in their own defence and in the defence of the Dominion whose prosperity is so gravely menacted by such undue in-

fluences.” Marlborough's was the lone voice amongst the remits raised against political organisation. The Dominion Executive of the union was more guarded in its remit, suggesting that a suitable questionnaire be prepared in readiness for next election, and that candidates be asked to reply, the replies to be circulated when received. The opinion was expressed that the matter was a purely domestic one, and one which vitally affected the future of the union. It was therefore proposed that the. discussion be taken in committee, and this was unanimously agreed to. Finally a committee was elected to go into the matter and to report to the conference later. FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE. WELLINGTON, July 27. A remit from the Otago branch—“ That this conference urges farmers to buy, whenever possible, goods made in Aew Zealand so that the value of our importations ’may be kept down”—wa s withdrawn, after a discussion in which members stated that we could not export our primary produce if we did not impoit from overseas. English companies would imt send out to New Zealand empty ships to take our produce away. The Director of Agriculture (Dr C. JReakes) gave to the conference an assurance fliatevery precaution was being taken against the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease into New Zealand. . Tbe risk of infection through any seed imported from Continental countries in which foot-and-mouth disease was prevalent was. he said, to say the least, very slight. Indeed, a plant could not become infected as the result of the seed having the disease. The seed was only a mechanical conveyer. The authorities at Home had decided on the sterilisation of hay and straw before being used for packing, and he had reason to believe that work was being carried out efficiently and satisfactorily.

CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS. WELLINGTON, July 28. The Farmers’ Union to-day decided to oppose any movement to centralise the control of schools. Other remits dealing with various educational matters, chiefly affecting the backblocks, were withdrawn after the Director of Education had explained certain matters about which the conference desired information. The Government- is to be urged to provide for taking a ballot of all sections of the communitj- in regard to the weekly half holiday. A resolution was passed urging that the Upper House should be elected as provided by law on the Statute Book. A remit affirming the principle of preferential voting was referred to the executive, as well as remits dealing with anomalies in franchise and regarding harbour, power, and hospital board elections A remit to nationalise tho main highways was tost, and also one that a protest should be made against the raising of a loan for main highways without a vote of the ratepayers. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. WELLINGTON, July 29. The election of officers at the Dominion Farmers’ Union Conference to-day resulted as follows: —Dominion president, Mr W. J. Polson (Fordell), re-elected; Dominion vice-presidents—Messrs E. H. Murney (Tapanui), R. Duckfield (Horitiu), and H. B. Stuckey (Dannevirke), all re-elected; Advisory Committee — Messrs W. Morrison (Maxweltown), A. E. Harding (Dargaville), D. Dickie (Gore), W. W. Mulholland (Darfield),

J. Preston (Flag Swamp), Captain F. Colbeck (Morrinsville); Dominion treasurer, Mr R. S. Chadwick (Danuevirke); Dominion secretary, Mr J. Pow (Wellington ). The conference decided to increase Mr Tow’s salary by £SO a year in view of his able work. THE WOMEN’S DIVISION. WELLINGTON. July 27. The second annual conference of the Women's Division of the Farmers’ Union ■was opened to-day by Mrs J. G. Coates, who congratulated the division on the work accomplished, and wished it success in the future. Mrs Polson (president) outlined what liad been accomplished—a bush nurse and housekeeper secured and a book club organised. They aimed at securing better dental facilities for country children and a women’s exchange for the country women. Remits were considered dealing with education and immigration. It was decided to bring to the notice of the Minister of Education (Mr R. A. Wright), the disadvantage to country children in reducing the age at which scholarships can be obtained to 13 years. It was pointed out that owing to the long distances, and because they often have to work before and after school, country children can seldom pass their Sixth Standard by the age of 13. It was urged that more care bo taken in selecting immigrants, and that magistrates should not order undesirables from the towns into the country. The women’s division of the Farmers’ Union continued its conference to-day. Mrs Polson (president) was in the chair. It was resolved that a strong protest be made against the Daylight Saving Bill now before Parliament. The necessity for more facilities at dental clinics for country children was stressed, and a remit was passed asking that-medical and dental inspection should be made at all country schools at least once a year. A remit stating that, with a view to helping backblock settlers, this conference urges the Government to give increased riding subsidies to counties which have large areas of deteriorated land, was carried. The conference strongly supported Mr Coates in his attitude towards the unemployed. A resolution which was carried read: “We consider that he errs on the side of beneficence, as it is not the duty of the Government to find work for anyone. ” The following remits dealing with soldiers’ farms were carried :— That all vacated soldier’s farms, which have been offered for sale or lease, and which have failed to find a purchaser for 12 months from the date of vacancy, should be offered for lease by tender or for sale by tender, and any reasonable offer should not be refused ; That soldier settlers who have vacated their farms on account of the impossibility of making a living, because the price of such farms is too high, should be given an opportunity of being reinstated on such farms on a reasonable basis. July 29. The Women’s Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to-day elected the following officers for the ensuing year: — President Mrs Polson (Wanganui) ; vicepresidents—Lady Hunter (Hawke’s Bay), Mesdames Mathieson (Manawatu), Jackson (Wairarapa), Harris (Marton), M’Kenzie (Invercargill), Lilburn (Wanganui), Derbyshire (Marlborough), Smith (Gore) ; secretary, Mrs Pow (Wellington); honorary treasurer. Mr Jackson.