FARMERS’ UNION

Southland Times, Issue 19099, 17 November 1923, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION

MEETING OF SOUTHLAND EXECUTIVE At the monthly meeting of the Southland Executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday morning, the chairman (Mr P. Arnott) presided over a large attendance of members. —Correspondence.— A letter was received from the Dominion Secretary requesting the union to ascertain whether dairy factories would be willing to cash orders on their factories given by farmers as a method of payment of their subscriptions to the union.—Members expressed the opinion that the method proposed by the Dominion secretary would not be satisfactory and it was decided to set up a committee to go into the question as to the best method of collecting members’ sul> scriptions. The chairman, Mr P. Arnott, Messrs Dickie, McKenzie, Sim and Crampton were appointed to the committee. A further letter from the Dominion Secretary stated that the Dominion president, together with Messrs Harding and Ross, intended holding a series of rallies in the Southland district about the beginning of May, as the start of a big tour in the South Island. They would probably visit the following towns: —Gore, Wyndham, Otautau, Winton, Thornbury, Dipton, Lumsden and Riversdale.—Received. —Junior Immigration.— A communication from the Dominion secretary stated that it had been decided to bring out 100 junior immigrants to New Zealand. These immigrants would be healthy school boys from 15 to 17 years of age, and it was hoped that homes in good families would be found for them. Their wages would probably range from 12/6 to 17/6 per week for the first year, and the ruling wage for boys of a similar age on farms would be given for the remainder of their apprenticeship. The Southland Executive was invited to inquire for farmers willing to take one or two such boys. This was only a preliminary step to ascertain what demand existed among farmers for good, healthy, well-educated boys willing to take up agricultural work. The chairman (Mr P. Arnott) stated something in this way had previously been attempted but had fallen through owing to the war. The matter again came before the Dominion Executive last year, when it was decided to bring these boys out. A member asked whether those accepting one of the boys had any guarantee that the boy would not be working for the Power Board or some other similar institution within six months. The chairman replied that he did not think that the farmer would have any control over the boy unless he had a hard and fast agreement. The executive decided to refer the matter to the various branches. —Grading of Lamb.— The following resolution, passed by the Invercargill Branch of the Union, was referred to the executive for consideration:— “That this branch considers that all NewZealand lamb should be subject to universal grading and classed according to grade points registered. By this method we consider that provincial brands such as ‘prime Canterbury,’ would not compete with other provincial stock of similar grade.” The chairman stated that Mr A. Hamilton (Southland’s representative on the Meat Board) had been invited to address the meeting that morning on the subject of grading, but unfortunately he had been detained in Wellington. Mr Crampton said that he approved of the idea of universal grading. Under such a system each province would be distinct and the price obtained w'ould be according to grade. Last season 60,000 lambs went from Southland to Canterbury and were exported as Canterbury lamb. If they will be graded in Canterbury as first-class there was no reason why they should not be similarly graded in Southland, which would then receive the benefit of the higher price. Mr Marshall said he also favoured the idea of universal grading. It was not goed business to stop free trade and it had been his experience and the experience of others present, to contend against local rings. Prices had been forced down until northern buyers had stepped in and “burst the bubble,” the price immediately going up. Nevertheless, he did not believe in another province receiving the credit due to Southland and he thought that universal grading was the only way to prevent Southland stock from going to Canterbury and being graded as Canterbury lamb. He did not say that Southland lamb was as good as Canterbury lamb, but it would be graded according to quality and would enable them to find out wherein it was deficient. It was decided to leave the matter to the Meat and Wool Committee to arrange with Mr Hamilton to address the Executive on a suitable date.