FARMERS’ UNION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19336, 28 May 1937, Page 10

FARMERS’ UNION

WAIROA BRANCH MEETS REMITS FOR CONFERENCE (Herald Correspondent.) 'l'lio monthly meeting of the Wairoa branch ’of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held in Wairoa yesterday afternoon, Mr. I’. .1. O’Kane, the president. being in the chair, and a fair number of members being present. The chairman tendered an apology on behalf of Mr. T. W. G. Tombleson, after which a letter was read from Mr. Benson giving details of the business done at the last executive meeting. The head office- notified that the annual conference would be held on duly 14 and the two following days, and that all remits must be in by June 14. The chairman reported on the matter of a slock paddock on the Waikare-moana-Rotorua road. A map or sketch was asked for showing the most suitable spot, and he had provided that. The chairman mentioned that the interprovincial conference would he held iu the .Masonic llall next Wednesday, and lie hoped there would lie a good attendance of members.

The advisability of bringing about an amalgamation of the Sheepowners’ Federation and the Farmers’ Union was brought up, Mr. If. deLautour stating I lint it seemed an obvious step to take, and the union should work for a minimum price for wool. ’lbis year wool was Is Bd, next year it might lie 2d, and such variations demoralised the manufacturers, and it would be far belter to have a minimum price and make it reasonable so as to discourage the artificial substitute. They could do this if they combined. Why should they give away their wool as they did when they had to sell at 2d? Mr. O’Kane seconded the motion, which was carried. Education of Children

Mr. O’Kano moved a remit favouring a more liberal allowance in farmers’ budgets for Hie education of their children at secondary schools, lie knew of two in the Wairoa district where (his had been refused. Mr. G. 1). Tod endorsed Mr. do Lautour's remarks, and seconded the motion. Mr. K. G. Clifton spoke on the basic wage as applied to farmers, who were penalised while all the workers were above the basic wage and enjoying a 40-hour week. All the mortgage arrangements were built on that basic wage, and no consideration was given to a, man with Iwo or three children; it did not make for an increase in population by encouraging large families. ’This also was supported. The chairman brought up the advisability of lifting the embargo on the importation of slock, as the progress of the herds in New Zealand was being retarded. Mr. deLautour seconded the remit, but added that those who were able to pay were still getting the good slock, but the market should he opened to all. The remit was carried.

'The president mentioned the need for a remit on farm labour, and said the difficulty might be overcome if the Stale made more liberal advances t° provide accommodation for married men. Mr. G. I). Tod said this provision was already on the statute books, but the carrying out of if was at fault, as the Slate wanted a first mortgage. . Mr. IT. deLautour moved a remit asking for the derating of iarm lands. The rates now, as ascertained in the Cook County, came to £1 12s per cent, and 3s fid jior sheep per annum, equal to a rale of £1 per acre, all to provide roads, not for the farmers but for every person in the country. The Government should make the roads out of the consolidated fund, or do it out of the petrol tax. Mr. ■PI. Taylor seconded the remit, which was carried. Meat Producers’ Board

Air. deLautour also brought up the question of the possibility that they might lose one member in connnection with fhe Meat, Producers’ Hoard. lie paid a tribut e t o I lie work and int erest, of Air. T. Le 0. Powdrell, and said it would be a blow to the district if they lost him off the electoral college. Messrs. O'Kane and Tod endorsed these sentiments, and it, was left to the president and secretary to see that, Mr. Powdrell was nominated and supported. A member stated that, lie was sure, the Poverty Bay people would be reasonable and not seek to disfranchise half the East Coast.

The. secretary mentioned the probability that, when' tlie railway was opened all lorry owners operating along a 30-mile front of line would lose their licenses. It might he well to see how the union looked at it.

Air. deLautour took exception to a re : cent rise in the cost of the carriage oi' pigs to 2s a head. He questioned if the carriers do not constitute an autocratic body. Something should be done in the matter, be field.

A general discussion ensued, much of which was unfavourable as regards the action of the Carriers’ Association. Air. Withers defended the carriers, stating that there was no concerted action.

On the motion of Air. O’Kane, seconded by Mr. Taylor, it was decided to write to the Minister in Charge of Broadcasting asking that the 2ZP station and the personnel lie retained in Wairoa.

Smith, 225 ; Carlton Brewery, 63s 6d; Cl. J. Coles, £5 8s 6d; Drug Houses, 265; Australian Glass, 92s 9d; Dunlop Perdriau, 21s 9d, pref. 36s 4ld; Yan-il Falls, rights, 935; Waldas, 20s 9d; Elect trolytie Zinc. 57s 6d ; pref., 58s 3cl; Alt. Morgan, 13s 6d; Aft. Lyell, 45s 9d; Broken Hill Proprietary, 82s; South Broken Hill, 50s 3d ; Emperor, 16s lOcl; Sulphide Corporation. 15s.