FARMERS’ UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12063, 27 May 1920, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION.

PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE. The annual Wellington Provincial Conference of the Farmers’ Onion was concluded at Feilding yesterday, t FINANCIAL. The treasurer (Mr T. Moss) submitted the balance-sheet and report. The report showed an increase of 530 financial members on last year’s fiff- ' ures. This was chiefly accounted lor ; through the districts visited by the j Provincial organiser. 1 It was decided to amend Rule IS, to fix a uniform subscription throughout the Dominion. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected: —Picsidem, Mr W. J. Poison (Wanganui); vice-president, Mr G. McGregor (Waves ley); treasurer, Mr John BalsilHe (Palmerston North): executive, Messrs J. A. McLeavey (Palmerston North), G. L. Marshall (Marion), H. Vile (Palmerston North), T. Fraser (Wuikanae)A. Campbell and H. Booth (Feilding), r H Guthrie (Ranglwahia), E. Parsons (Wadotara), K. W. Dalrymple (Bulls), A. Kobinson (Wanganui), A. Stewart (Marton), J. M. Whiteman (Hutt), and D. McLean (Raetihi); represeniatives at Dominion Conference, 1 G. J.. Marshall. H. Morrison I (Masleriou), and W. B. Mathieson (Masterton). FURTHER REMITS. J Waimavino. —‘'That the Farmers i Union pi otests that the Imperial pur- ! chase of primary products has not 1 been backed by proper handling so as i to benefit consumers.” —Carried. I Palmerston North. —"That the Government be asked to appoint a reprei sentative to investigate the possiblliI ties of opening up trade with the Eastern Countries, with a view to opening - up new markets for all New Zealand produce.”—Mr Balsillie, in moving the resolution, pointed out that dried milk could be used extensively in Eastern countries, where other milk was not available. He stated that the New Zealand meat was already being sent to places like Singapore through English firms. This could be sent direct from New Zealand at lower cost and this country would get the benefit. —Agreed to. Wanganui S.P.D. —“That the Farmers’ Union supports the National Committee, set up by the butter and cheese producers, ‘in their endeavours to secure an open market for dairy produce.”—Agreed to. Provincial Executive. —“That the Dominion Executive arrange for the publication of articles bearing on the farmers’ position, and the prices of primary products.”—Mr Hubbard, in moving the resolution, said the object was to combat the charges of profiteering levelled against the farmers. An amendment was put that the articles should be published in the “Farmers’ Union Advocate,” but this was lost and the motion carried. Mr Morrison moved: “That the Government be requested to obtain the services of a petroleum, geologist to make a complete geological survey to discover if the apparent traces of petroleum in New Zealand justifies boring operations being undertaken.” —Agreed to. Martinborough.—“That auctioneers be requn ed to give the vendor’s name when selling stock. This would be a useful guide to intending' purchasers, as knowing where they have been depastured they will be able to decide if tbe stock would suit their farms.” I —Carried.

Wellington S.P.D. —“That it he a recommendation to the Dominion Conference to organise an exhibition in the large centres. setting' before the general public samples of goods, showing amount of raw material and its cost as supplied by the farmers, and alongside, the finished article with the cost to the consumer. The general public have a wrong idea that the increased cost of living is due to the excessive prices obtained by farmers.” —Agreed to. Moved by Mr McFlroy, that motor regulations should be made so as to compel owners of cars and motor lorries to have reflectors attached forth e same reason as in the motion. — Carried. Wanganid p.p.D.—“That the dipping season be altered to Pebmary, March and April.”—Lost. Hukanui. —“Whereas wages paid for labour can be deducted from gross income in the assessment of Income tax. the conference considers that an injustice is done farmers’ wives engaged in actual farm work by refusing to allow reductions for such services, and therefore urges the Minister of Finance to allow a reasonable deduction to be made in such cases.” Feildiug.—“That the Government be urged to give prompt attention to valuations where returned soldiers have obtained option of purchase for same.” —Cai ried. Feildiug,—"That the Government be urged to have the excessive freights and railage on purebred pigs bought for breeding purposes reduced.” — Carried. Wai marine.—“ That the Dominion Conference be asked to urge the Government to assist the Aotea Lessees’ Association by legislation or otherwise in its efforts to obtain the freehold of the 60,000 acres of Ohutu Block between Raetihi and Wanganui.” —Carried. That the Dominion Conference he allowed to alter or rescind any rule provided ’’t has been approved by a Provincial Conference. That no Provincial Conference be entitled to send a delegate to the Dominion Conference in addition to the Provincial President if the membership of chat Province does not exceed 500 financial members. That the Advisory Committee be called together a; least once a quarter daring the year. That a uniform graduated subscription be established throughout the Dominion. That in future reports of the Farmers’ Distributing Company, or any other be not read unless with special permission of the meeting. That the attention of the Health Department be drawn to the unsatisfactory state of many of the lavatories at railway stations. That the proposal of the Welfare League that Government call a National and Industrial Conference he endorsed.

That in view of the advantage of scientific farming in the present day of closer settlement and intenser cult ivating of the land, it he a recommendation to all branches of the Union to further the establishment of Technical High Schools by assist- ‘ ing where necessary in the purchase of suitable and adequate sites. That Wairarapa Snb-Provisionai District be granted a provincialstatus, and that international confer ences be held alternately in Wairarapa and Manawatn. That the annual Rifle Competition tor the Farmers’ Union Shield be fired for during the first week in April, instead of late in May as at present. Mr Carson moved that the conference urge upon the Government the great necessity for reform in the national system of education in regard to—(1) The extension of the school age and redaction of the size of classes. (2) The securing of more trained teachers, and to this end the paying of much better salaries. (3) In order to give full effect to these

measures, a reform of the system of administration by establishing a National Education Board, and local Education Committees. He pointed out the great need of education. In regard to raising age to 16 it might become hard on dairying families, especially when living at a distance from school. They had technical education which the boys and girls could attend when they left school. Mr Smith moved as aa amendment to clause 1, that the attendance of children at technical and other continuance schools be compulsory up to the age. This was lost and the motion carried with tbe deletion of clause 3. The retiring President, in concluding, thanked the delegates. During his term of office he had had no serious difficulties and never any complaints. He thanked the. members for the courtesy extended to him. Mr H Booth proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the retiring pr esident for the services he had rendered the Union. Those who had worked with him found him painstaking in every way. Daring his term of office he had done more to smoothe the path than any man in the Union. Mr Vile supported. It was a pleasure to sit at a conference with Mr Marshall at the head. He was pleased that though they were losing him as chairman they were not losing him on the executive, Mr Robinson said he had never sat under a chairman who conducted a meeting in a more pleasant manner. They had been extremely fortunate in their chairmen, and he referred to Sir Jas. G. Wilson and Mr Moore. Thev were very sorry to loose Mr Marshall. Mr McGregor pointed out that It was a tribute to Mr Marshall that never before bad a Provincial Conference finished up with such a good attendance. Mr Marshall returned thanks. One felt a little sorry, he said, in 1 osing an honourable position, but he felt that the position should go round. Mr G. McGregor proposed a hearty vote of thanks to tbe Feilding branch and the people of Feilding for the hospitality extended the delegates, and wished them health and prosperity. Mr A. Campbell acknowledged the compliment