FARMERS’ UNION

Southland Times, Issue 17495, 26 April 1915, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION

INVERCARGILL BRANCH. QUESTION OP POTATO BAGS. Under the auspices of the Invercargill branch of the Farmers’ Union a meeting of potato growers was held on Saturday afternoon. Mr Ford occupied the chair, and there was an attendance of about lifteon members. The chairman said that the matter to he discussed was one which some fault had been found with from time to time. Under it farmers wore not paid for bags when •> they .were selling potatoes, but the bags were weighed in. Farmers and growers looked upon this as a wrong principle. Many years ago the same course had been followed with regard to oats, but eventually it was arranged that the farmers should be paid for the bags. With respect of potatoes the merchants had held that it was six of one and half a dozen "of the other whether they paid for the bags or not. That might be the. case, but the growers objected to the principle of not being paid for their bags. He was pleased to see so representative a meeting and hoped that some definite solution would be arrived at. The matter had been before the annual conference from time to time, but no solution had been reached, and he would be glad to bear any suggestions members had to make witli reference to it. It was suggested that a deputation await on the merchants or that representation be made through the Southland League. The chairman said that he thought it better that the matter should bo dealt with through their own organisation. It was they who had to dispose of their produce, and they should themselves decide how they were going to deal W'ith It. Air McQueen moved that the matter he referred to the annual conference. He said that there were difficulties in connection with the matter. If the bags used were all new it would be all right, but he understood that a fair proportion of old bags wore used. The motion was not seconded. The president said that the bags used for shipment purposes were all new. Mr McQueen said that they then had a basis for action with respect of bags for shipment. The opinion was expressed that it was not a Question of old or now bags—that was for the merchant and the grower to fir: up —but that the meeting should decide whether the payment for hags was desirable. Mr Tanner said that in common fairness to the potato growers he would propose that they should be paid. They had to pay about 9d per bag. and it did not seem fair that they should have to lose it. The motion was not seconded. The president said that it was more a matter of procedure, and how they were going to got their wishes granted than the mere affirming of the principle. He moved: “That it is the unanimous request of this meeting that the farmers should be paid extra for their bags, and that the same be referred to the annual conference with power to act.” He had perfect confidence that it would be agreed to by the annual conference.

The president's motion was not seoonxlexl.

It was suggestoxl that if a meeting of merchants anxl representatives of tho growers could he arranged earlier than the conference there might be-a chance of getting payment for this seasxufs bags, and Air Knowler moved that the president and secretary be appointexl a deputation, with power to adxl to (heir number, to endeavour to arrange a basis for payment for potato bags, failing a satisfactory arrangement the matter to be referrexl to the annual conference. Tho motion was sccondexl by Mr .1. Ate Queen and earriexl.

The follow ing now members wore elected: Alessrs W. Hislop, W. Wilson. .1. T. Tanner, I'. Rohy. W, K. Ward, T. J. Fotrick. <'alder, Wm. Mclntosh, S. G. Woods. R. Barker, I'. Proctor, T. J. O'Brien. .1. B. Lindsay. A. Lindsay. .1. Linxlsay, A. W. Limlsay, A. Allison. R. Kennedy. 3. MeFaxlzion. W. Watson, .(. Fordo. W. E. fordo. E. Finn. R. J. -lames. J, Eoen. senior, 3. I’. Fordo, R. Ronald anxl W. Baird.

Messrs Hogue. Guise and Fleming were appointexl delegates to the annual provincial con foreucx'.

Remits for the x-rm Terence wore x-ou-sidered and the chairman brought, forward tin* proposal: “That tho attention of the Prime Minister be drawn to the urgent necessity for supplying cheap manure, and that with that object the Imperial Government he approachexl with a view to having one of the islands recently annoxorl front Germany set aside for tile usx- of New Zealanxi.”

Mr Alx'Quecn pointexl out that tho tcrritx»ry was as yet. only ox'cupicrl anxl not annexed, and it would Ho a matter to consider at the final settlement. The chairman; However, we have evert' confidence as to what is going to happen. Fie further moved; (1) “That a compulsory analysis be supplied with all lime." and (21 that the law be strictly enforced in the direction of the Chamber of Commerce rates in connection wit It commission on all sales of land and property.

Mr McQiiern drew attention to the fact that the export, of sheaf oats was prohibited, and that owing to the late season farmers should have the right to export what was not fit for dressing. The matter was entered as a remit to he discussexl at Hie eonferenx'e.