FARMERS’ UNION

Southland Times, Issue 17935, 29 January 1917, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION

INVERCARGILL BRANCH. The monthly meeting of the Invercargill branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held in Allen's Hall on Saturday, when, in the absence of the president (Mr W. Ford), who was harvesting, Mr John McQueen was voted to the chair. Mr T. Price, although not a farmers’ unionist, begged—and was granted—• leave to speak on the meat question, in which he stated he had interested himself. Mr Price read the London quotations for New Zealand meat, and pointed out that for the first time our produce was valued below that of the Argentine. The quoted prices. however, ranged round about 8d while the meat was being sold in London at 15d per lb. Who was getting this immense, profit? Not (he New Zealand farmer. Not the New Zealand Government. Not the Imperial Government. Not the consumer. Where then was the benefit!ing party? He considered It time that the Farmers’ Union went Into the matter and found out just where this excess profit was going. It seemed to him that part, at any rate, of It should come back to the producing farmer. As It was, be had a very good idea who was reaping the harvest which other hands had sown. Mr McQueen expressed the opinion that the Union would be wise to let the matter real. The High Commissioner and Messrs Massey and Ward had already been approached and if they, who were at Home, could not get to the root of the trouble, it. seemed to him that there was very little hope of the Farmers’ Union in New Zealand doing much. The more they delved into the question the more complex it became, and it would be useless for the Union to attempt to do anything more. Certainly there was a mistake somewhere. The farmers had agreed to sell their meat at pre-war rates, for the reason that they did not want to take advantage of the consumers during war time. But it had been found that the consumers were not benefiting by the sacrifice which the producers had made. The New Zealand Ministers at Home had pointed out that the producers had cause for complaint, and all had been done that could be done to draw attention to the anomaly. In any caae, notwithstanding the sacrifices which they had made, farmers were doing fairly well. Mr J. D. Trotter advocated keeping up the agitation. The profits on that New Zealand meat which, being the surplus over army requirements, was sold to the British pnbllc, were now larger than ever tbey had been previously. In view of that it was only right that the producers should make themselves heard. Mr McQueen replied that it was a case In which the least said would be the better, and the wisest course would be just to grin and bear itBALLOTTBD FARMERS. A remit which the Waiau brand) is forwarding to the executive, to the effect that the various district branches should form committees for the purpose of lending assistance in the working or disposing of the properties of farmers who should be drawn in the ballot, was endorsed and forwarded to the executive for consideration. COMMANDEERED SHEEP-SKINS. This subject was on the order paper, but, as a representative of the fellmongers who had promised to explain to the meeting the Government’s proposals as to the collection and method of dealing with the skins, failed to put In an appearance, the matter was simply discussed informally and referred to the executive for fuller investigation. HARVEST WAGES. Mr Keith opened up the question of harvest wages for the season. He mentioned that, although tile Balfour branch of the Farmers’ Union had fixed its district price at 1/4 per hour, there was some talk of the men striking for 1 6. — It wa* mentioned that a. small meeting of tlmse interested had the previous Saturday passed a resolution recommending that the rate of pay be the same as last season, vix., 1/3 per hour, and one member stated that the men in his district had expressed themselves as quite satisfied with that figure this season. The matter yvas allowed to drop.