NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3961, 11 February 1930, Page 13

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION.

OTAGO PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. A. meeting of the Otago Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Unioit was held on Wednesday, the president (Mr J. D. Revie) in the chair. Others present were: Messrs J. Clarke, A. C. Leary, A. Craig, D. Grant, R. J. E. Smith, F. Waite, M.P., J. Preston. J. Miller, W. J. Cockburn, T. Barr, C. R. Sheat, D. M. Reid, E. H. Murney, and J. Christie. THRESHING MILL WORKERS’ AWARD. Mr Craig reported in committee on the negotiations in the Conciliation Court in respect to the threshing mill workers’ award, and advised the meeting that the old award would remain in force tending Arbitration Court proceedings next menth. BRITISH FARMERS’ VISIT. The executive approved the arrangements made for the entertainment of the British farmers, who will visit Otago

about the middle of next mouth. The programme was drawn up at a conference of representatives of the Farmers’ Union, the Otago A. and P. Society, the Otago Sheep Owners’ Federation, the Expansion League, the Chamber of Commerce, and the City Council, and was published yesterday morning;" SHEEP STEALING BY MOTOR LORRY.

A letter was received from the Dominion secretary in regard to the prevalence of sheep stealing by motor lorry at night, suggesting the drafting of a resolution asking for legislation making it illegal to convey sheep by motor lorry after the hours prescribed for droving, unless a permit had been The letter pointed out that clause §9 of the Stock Act provided that “ every person who drives or removes any stock from any land not in his own occupation without the consent of the occupier of such land is liable to a fine not exceeding £lOO or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months.” The communication stated that legislation would have to be introduced next session making the removal of sheep by motor lorry at night illegal except by permit.

The chairman said he aid not know how seriously farmers in the south were concerned, but the matter certainly warranted their support. Mr Waite: It is a serious problem in Canterbury. Mr Preston: The same thing is going on in Otago, and not very far from Dunedin either.

Mr Craig said that the executive should support the move to bring down legislation whereby the unlawful removal of sheep could be checked. He had personal knowledge of sheep having been removed by night in lorries, and something should be done to prevent this form of sheep stealing. It was decided to support the Dominion executive in the matter, MEAT EXPORT CONTROL

A copy of Mr W. D. Lysnar’s Meat Export Control Amendment Bill was placed before the meeting with a view to securing the support of the executive whenever it was brought before the House of Representatives. The chairman said that if Mr Lysnar’s facts and figures were correct, he was certainly on the right lines, and was entitled to the support of farmers in the country. He had already communicated with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture, asking that the originator of the Rill be given an opportunity to nut it before Parliament. The president’s action in the matter was approved. LETTER OF THANKS.

A letter was received from the Agricultural Bureau of Tasmania thanking the executive for the arrangements which were made for the comfo'i and entertainment of the party of Tasmanian farmers who visited Otago last year, and

expressing the hope that some day the bureau might have the opportunity of entertaining Otago farmers in Australia. —The letter was received. LICE-INFESTED SHEEP.

Mr Christie brought up the question of urging upon the Department of Agriculture and the Board of the necessity for more drastic enforcement of the regulations in respect of lice-in-fested sheep, and considered thav some step in this direction should be made by the executive. The chairman said that this matter had been discussed before, but he was convinced that the executive could not make much headway until it secured the active support and co-operation of the Sheepowners’ Federation. It was decided to take the matter up with the federation with a view to presenting a united front to the Department of Agriculture.