NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 23

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION.

A meeting of the North Otago Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held on Friday. There were prgsnt Mesrs D. J. Ross (president), E. S. Brewster, J. B. Chapman, .R. Dick, W. Macdonald, J. Newlands, J. E. Tailentire, W. Forrester, A. Rapson, and J. G. A. Ruddenklau. Accounts amounting to £2 4s 6d were passed for payment.’ The secretary stated that he had received from headquarters a statement showing the number of financial members of the union. The total as at August 31 was 5337. A communication was received from the Agricultural Department, denying the report, which originated from Manawatu, that stock on Somes’s Island was suffering from foot-and-mouth disease. The department stated that the whole of the stock in quarantine was clean. The Dominion secretary wrote concerning the proposed visit at the end of 1929 of 120 British farmers. He asked whether the North Otago Executive -would be prepared to entertain the visitors and show them spots of interest in the district.—Mr Dick thought the visit of British farmers was important. He thought the union should co-operate with the Chamber of Commerce and A. and P. Association in the matter.—The president endorsed the view of Mr Dick, and it- was decided that a copy of the letter be forwarded to the A. and P. Association, Chamber of Commerce, Waitaki County Council, and Oamaru Borough Council, with a request for their co-operation. An intimation was received that the tour of South African dairy farmers had been postponed until next year.—lt was decided that no action be taken in the matter in the meantime, A letter was received, from a sheep-dip firm, complaining that an effort was being made to place legislative restrictions upon the sale of certain sheep dips. They said the proposal was one that should be watched carefully by farmers and orchardists, and they suggested that there were ulterior motives behind it.—The secretar}’ read a circular issued by the Health Department upon the subject.— The president said he felt sure the Agricultural Department would see to it that unnecessary restrictions were not imposed upon farmers.—Mr W. Forrester could see nothing objectionable in the restric- , tions. He considered the Health Department must have good reason for its action.—The president said that at the Dominion Conference it was mentioned that certain dips had been used which poisoned stock. The head of the Agricultural Department (Dr Reakes) had offered to make inquiries if samples of dip were sent to him. It -was probably on account of complaints in"this direction that action was being taken.—lt w’as decided that the communication be received.