FARMERS' CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12465, 26 May 1911, Page 3

FARMERS' CONFERENCE.

HANDLING PRODUCE IN LONDON

(Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, ,last night. Representatives from the Farmers' Unions and Agricultural Associations m Auckland province met m the Hall of Commerce, and disoussed the question of the handling of New Zealand produce m London. Mr J. E. Makgill, vice-president of the Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union, said the question was one of the utmost importance to producers m New Zealand. He moved the following resolution: — "That a committee of producers be set up to co-operate with other committees appointed by public meeting m various parts of the Dominion, to attempt to improve the conditions under which New Zealand produce is received and distributed m Great Britain." In support of the motion, he read extracts from -a speech on the subject by Mr Lysnar, m which he referred to having seen bales of wool standing m the barges on the Thames, also m the stores — rows of bales which had been damaged by leaky barges. This was afterwards sold as damaged wool, and the owner m New Zealand did not know why he got such low prices. Major Lusk said he thought the conference would agree that j an improvement was very desirable. | Farmers had been neglecting their own interests, and had evidently expected other people to look after them. It was quite time they appointed representatives from themselves to see that their affairs were not neglected. Other delegates strongly supported the motion, which was carried. RURAL TELEPHONES. "A settler saves the capital cost of his private telephone m the first six months," said a speaker at the A. and P. Association's Conference to-day, when speaking on the subject of rural telephones. The discussion was raised by motion by Mr Somerville (Te Kuiti) : "That the Agricultural Associations and Farmers' Clubs throughout this province be urged to encourage the extension of/ the telephone system m rural districts by endeavoring to induce local authorities and local residents to establish, telephone systems m centres where the Government cannot undertake to do so. Mr Rutherford seconded the motion, and spoke, pointing out the advantages of a telephone to people m isolated districts," and of prohibitive rates m places now charged by the Government. The secretary stated" the particulars from the Prim© Minister, given as the Tesult of the inquiries made after last conference. In his letter. Sir Joseph Ward stated that County Councils had power to contract with the Minister of Telephones, and employ portion of the county funds for" erection or extension of telephone lines. The County Council was the only local' body which had that power. Then private individuals' and residents could make arrangements for the local system to be connected with the Department's system, and such private owners of telephones could receive and despatch messages over the Department's wire without- extra, charge.- This last concession was not generally known. The motion was unanimously adopted.