RURAL INTERESTS

Southland Times, Issue 19276, 21 June 1924, Page 5

RURAL INTERESTS

THE FARMERS’ UNION ANNUAL PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE GOOD FINANCIAL POSITION. The annual Provincial Conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms yesterday, there being over 50 delegates present. Mr P. Arnott occupied the chair. Among the visitors present were Mr T. Buxton, Dominion Organiser, and Mr Stewart Cameron, Secretary of the Otago Farmers’ Union. ANNUAL REPORT. The Secretary read the annual report, which was as follows: “Your Executive have much pleasure i> presenting to you their report and balancesheet for the year ending March 31, 1924. During the year unusual interest has been centred in the monthly meetings of your Executive and a good attendance of executive members and delegates from branches which are not represented on the executive has been well maintained. Some of the branches have not yet taken advantage of the opportunity of appointing delegates to the meetings, but it is hoped that all will avail themselves during the current year of the opportunity of doing so. The Executive is anxious to have all branches represented at the meetings, as greater interest in the activities engaged in by the Union is threby maintained. “The membership in Southland is practically at the same level as last year, but it is hoped that with the organising campaign that is being carried on in the province at the present time many new members will be enrolled, and that the report of next year will show a large increase of membership. Our Dominion President, Mr Polson, accompanied by Messrs Harding and Ross, made a flying visit to the district in May last and addressed meetings at various points. The time spent by the visiting party was all too short but your Executive is confident that the visit stirred up interest in the Union.

“Your President, P. Arnott, Esq., Messrs G. P. Johnston and A. L. Adamson, Secretary, represented the province at the Dominion Conference last July, a full report of business transacted already being distributed among the branches. “In addition to the ordinary monthly executive meetings many meetings of the various sub-committees have been held. Representatives have been appointed and met with those of other bodies in conference to discuss matters of provincial and national importance, and also deputations have waited upon Ministers of the Crown, Government Departments, and others, in the interests of the farming community. “Many matters of vital importance to the welfare of the man on the land -have had the serious consideration of the executive branch delegates during the year, but in a short report such as this details cannot find place. Your Executive, however, wish to assure all members that their interests at all times have been jealously guarded and their hope is that members realising the nature of the work engaged in by their representatives will back them up by personally endeavouring to secure for membership those farmers who have not, so far, jointed the Union. “There are matters of very great importance which have to be considered in the near future, and it is hoped that an unanimous expression of opinion will be forthcoming from your Conference on such matters as the formation of a Farmers’ Political Party, organisation, increased production of primary products (scientific fertilisation of farm lands and breeding and feeding of high-class stock), and taxation.

“In conclusion the Executive extends thanks to all those of the Union who have accepted responsibility of office, or in any other way endeavoured to extend the usefulness of the Union in Southland. Special thanks are due to Government Departmental officers who have during the year visited branches and addressed them on matters of importance to the farming industry.”

The balance-sheet disclosed a credit balance at the bank of £563 8/5.

“We are in a very sound financial jrosition for a fanners’ organisation,” said the President, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, “and though calls are bound to be made upon us yet, we can face the future with a good deal of confidence. The Secretary has already read to you the report of the Executive on the past year’s o;>erations, and 1 therefore do not propose to discuss it further than to move its adoption.” Mr R. Arnott seconded the motion and the report and balance-sheet were adopted. In reply to a question, the Secretary stated that there were 32 branches belonging to the Union in Southland, with a total membership of 832, exclusive of those belonging to three branches which had not yet sent in their returns. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. In his retiring presidential address, Mr P. Arnott said: — In reviewing the year’s work, I cannot speak of great victories won, nor report to you that all the disabilities and disadvantages under which fanners’ labour have been swept away; but on the other hand I can tell you of good work well done, of a steady and sincere desire on the part of your Executive to further the farmers’ interests and of a steady growth in the strength and influence of our Union. Matters affecting the farming industry that reach us arc many and varied, but as each branch of the primary industries is well represented, the Executive has been able Io deal with these matters in an intelligent manner. The work of the different committees set up in the Executive has been very satisfactory, and I think that it is certain that the Executive will continue its work in this way. I will not attempt to name the many matters which have come before us. The Executive meetings have been reported in the newspapers from time to time, and here I may say that the Press of Southland treats us with courtesy and liberality by way of report and space, and I do not doubt that most of you have read the reports of our meetings with regularity and interest. —The Year’s Progress.— The Union generally throughout the Dominion has advanced in recent years, and while there are few provinces where it is so strong or so very much alive as in Southland, yet everywhere there has l»een I understand a quickening of inffest and a gathering of strength that is most heartening, and while it has accomplished good work in the past, I do not hesitate to say that its future holds great possibilities. —Union’s Planks.— The four principal planks that the Dominion president and Executive keep prominently before the public as the Union’s platform are: Agricultural banks, a producers’ shipping line, co-operative marketing and a reduction in farmers’ taxation. Your Executive here has given what I might call passive support to the first two. Concerning the farmers’ bank, it has always seemed to me that the weak part in the proposals that our president submitted to Parliament lay in asking for the £lOO,OOO grant without offering security, but I do not doubt that this weakness will be amended in the future. —Shipping.— A producers’ shipping line is a splendid idea, but it involves an expenditure which the producers are not at present in a position to meet. The promotion of the Meat Board and also of the Dairy Produce Control Board were distinct steps towards the advancement of the co-operative marketing idea, and the operations of those two. Boards will l>e keenly watched by the producers of the Dominion. Farmers’ taxation is a very vexed and intricate question, and the agenda paper gives you full opportunity to discuss it to-day.

—Politics.— Another important matter that is occupying the attention of our members is the ever-recurring one of politics, a large and growing section of our members insisting that the time is ripe for the formation of a country party. A remit dealing with this is on the Order Paper, and I hope you will fully discuss it, and so give your delegates to the Dominion Conference definite instructions how to deal with the matter when it comes before the Union’s representatives in Wellington. —A Chequered Year. — The past year generally has been rather a chequered one for the farmers. The sheep-farmer, owing to the price of wool and the high price of lamb, has done well. The grain-grower has also had a good season in Southland. On the other hand the beef producer has not done well, and the outlook for this branch of farming industry is not bright. The dairy farmer too, has not had a good year, and it is doubtful if the price he has received for his produce has equalled the cost of production. The price of dairy produce to the consumer in Britain is still high, but the cost of manufacture and the overhead charges are so great that the dairy farmer is really not so well off as when prices were lower with the different charges lower still. —Future Prosperity.— Politicians, pressmen and financial authorities reiterate that our future prosperity is bound up in more production and more production. That may be so as far as the Dominion is concerned, but I venture to say that the future welfare of the men already the land depends more on a reduction in manufacturing charges and in a lowering of transit charges than on increased production. The great need of the farmer to-day is a substantial reduction in the cost of production and regular and controlled shipments of his produce. —Three-Party System.— Matters political remain as they were last year, the three-party system still being in existence. The leader of each party is diligently catering for the farmers’ vote, and each is endeavouring to convince us that he and not his political opponent is the farmers’ friend. Fanners do not interest themselves in local politics except during election year. We have several local bodies in Southland spending large sums of farmers’ money annually, but unless the fanner wants a road or is in some other way immediately concerned he does not trouble ’himself usually about the way in which these sums are spent. —Power Board.— The exception to this rule is, of course, the Southland Power Board and its actions and policies have received considerable attention from your executive. Different branches have also frequently communicated with us on power board matters. There are several remits that will give you an opportunity of expressing your opinions. Gentlemen, in retiring from the position of president, I desire to thank the secretary for assistance given me during my term of office. I also thank the Executive for the support and consideration they have given me and the members of the Union generally for their kindly support. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing twelve months resulted as follows: President—Mr A. Mackenzie (Otahuti). Vice-Presidents: Messrs D. J. Heenan, J. J. Crampton, Harry Smith, E. Bowmar, R. L. Byars, A. Roy junr., W. Ford. Excutive Coromittee—Messrs G. P. Johnston (Waikaka Valley), J. Smith (Wyndham), R. Arnott (Wyndham), W. J. Martin (Dipton), R. Sim (Waianiwa), E. Sim (Orawia), H. E. Bacon (Gore), C. Gardner (Waiau), James Cowie (Balfour), Thomas Major (Mataura), W. H. Sadlier (Woodlands), F. Walker (Riversdale), T. R. Eades (Edendale). Delegates to Dominion Conference— Messrs G. P. Johnston, P. Arnott and D. Dickie. Auditor—Mr C. E. Borne. CONSIDERATION OF REMITS. Remits were dealt with as follow: —Taxation.— Moved by Gore Sub-Executive—That this Conference opposes the re-introduction of income tax on income derived from farming operations.—Carried. Otama—This Conference is strongly opposed to an income tax being again imposed on farmers. We consider the land tax to be by far the most equitable tax.— Carried. Orawia—That this Union strongly opposes any endeavour to again compel farmers to make out income tax returns.—Carried. Gore Sub-Executive—That this Conference express its appreciation to the Government for the removal of income tax on income derived from farming operations.— Carried, an amendment, that the remit should be deleted. being lost. Goer Sub-Executive.—That this Conference of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union opposes any proposal for the abolition of the land tax or a reduction in the graduated land tax.—Carried. Invercargill Branch—That this Conference, through the Dominion Executive, recommend to the Government that taxation on all freehold lands be based upon a different principle to that on leasehold tenure, for the following reason:—Payment of land tax only, exclusive of income tax, should be final in connection with freehold lands. While any system of taxation on leasehold tenure should also include income tax, and that it be further recommended that graduated land tax on large estates be retained. —Withdrawn. —Work and Wages.— Invercargill Branch.—The strong financial position of this Dominion in the pre-war days having weakened considerably as a result of the post-war problems, and to meet this contingency the Government having advocated increased production in connection with our export trade—over 90 per cent, of our exports being products of the soil—we deprecate the reduction of four hours weekly as awarded by the Arbitration Court, to various sections of the community. Mr Trotter, in moving the adoption of the remit, said that the Government was to be congratulated on having again imposed a 48-hour week. Mr Ford, in seconding, stated that since the slump the Government had been asking for increased production. Yet in a time of depression or a cisis when other sections of the community were being given better wages and shorter hours the farming community was being penalised. Mr Johnston: “If we want to reduce the cost of production we must get back to the eight hours a day system.” Mr Bacon maintained that the high standard of wages was responsible for what the farmers were up against at the present time. He was beginning to think that the farmers would have to attack the Arbitration Court in order to get back to the pre-war standard. If necessary some drastic, action might be taken to achieve that. Mr Dickie expressed the opinion that there was room for improvement in the matter of output even in the short week, and it was to that aspect that the community today must look for the .alleviation of some of their pressing problems. The remit was carried. Invercargill Branch.—The Government be again requested to repeal the preference to Unionist clause. The origin of the said clause having for its object the enforcement of a high standard wage to the incompetent and inefficient worker, thus encouraging the “Go Slow” policy for the honest toiler. This clause was deleted in favour of an amendment reading as follows:—That the Government be requested to repeal the minimum wage as awarded to all workers and to reinstate the system whereby payment will be made by results. The amendment was carried. Wyndharn Branch—That the Government be asked to legislate to have all farm labour exempt from Arbitration Court awards.—Carried. —Agricultural Bank.— Invercargill Branch—As local banks doing business in New Zealand when making

advances give preference to the commercial and business section of the community, consequently we urge the Government to pass the necessary legislation enabling the establishment of an agricultural bank. Mr Johnston moved as an amendment that the Conference should urge the Government to pass the necessary legislation to enable the establishment of an agricultural bank. On a division being taken the amendment was carried. —Advances to Settlers.— Gore Sub-Executive—That in view of the great success attending the operations of the Advances to Settlers Office the Government be respectfully asked to endeavour to widen its sphere of usefulness by arranging for more money for advancement against farm lands.—Carried. —Dairying.— Gore Branch—That the Minister in charge of the Agricultural Department be asked to have experiments carried out with a view to arriving at a uniform method of reading the Babcock Test, so that results would be the same as shown by analysis, and that if a practical system can be devised that it be compulsory.—Carried. Gore Branch—That investigations be made to find out the average non-fatty solids content of milk during winter months; to see if the standard required by the Health Department, namely, 3.5 per cent., is not too high.—Carried. —Stock.— Invercargill Branch—That the Government be urged to establish a stud herd of Red Polls and or Jerseys on the Winton Experimental Farm. —Carried. Waikaka Valley—That his Conference is of the opinion that the time is opportune for an attempt to be made to place specially selected Southland lamb on the London market under a fresh brand.—Carried. Waianiwa Branch—With the object of placing the sale of fat cattle upon the most equitable basis, so that vendors will always obtain full value for the quality of beef offered; and for the purpose of encouraging the breeding of only the best quality, early maturing beef which will realise top price per live hundredweight, this Conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union urges the Southland Executive to take the necessary steps to have weighbridges installed at all the principal saleyards throughout Southland, and to see that the practice of selling fat cattle at per live cwt be adopted, instead of per head as at present.— Carried. —Motor Tax and Licenses.— Riversdale—That the Farmers’ Union confer with the Motor Association with regard to road maintenance and motor taxation, etc. —To be referred to local Executive. Waikaka Valley—That this Conference views with alarm the increasing number of fatal motor accidents in town and country, and is of the opinion that licenses should be held by all motor drivers, these to be cancelled in proved cases of reckless or negligent driving.—The results was lost. —Railway Matters.— Invercargill Branch.—As keen competition is brought to bear by the motor in-, dustry against the Railway Department, the Government be recommended to modify their scale of charges in connection with both goods and passenger traffic.—Carried. Executive.—That in view of the endorsement of consignment notes, this Conference urges upon the Dominion Executive the urgent necessity of the Railway Department agreeing to accept liability in the case of loss of or damage to goods loaded by consignor at stations where there are stationm asters. —C arried. Lumsden.—That owing to the long delays at wayside stations, this Conference requests the Executive to urge upon the Minister of Railways the advisability of appointing assistants to guards on mixed trains, thereby speeding up trains and reducing the number of shunters at country stations.—Referred back to Executive. Pukerau. —That the Government be urged to reduce the railway freight on dairy produce, the value of such produce not warranting such a high freight as is charged by the Railway Department.— Carried. —Southland Power Board.— Invercargill.—Attention be drawn to the extravagance and unnecessary waste and destruction of' material in connection with the Monowai scheme. —Carried. Wyndham.—That the Conference, viewing with alarm the enormous expense that is being incurred in erection of Power Board lines, more especially in regard to services lines, also the careless way in which valuable material is left lying on roadsides without any protection, recommends that the Executive urge upon the Power Board the urgent necessity of better supervision.— Carried. Invercargill.—On the occasion of Southland becoming linked up with the Monowai electrical scheme, it is quite evident that many farmers will have to pay for surplus current over and above their requirements, consequently a special Committee should be appointed to investigate and report upon ways and means of utilising the surplus energy up on strict lines of economy including also secondary industries.—Struck out. —Commercial Charges.— Riversdale, Knapdale and Otama Branches. —That the Dominion Executive be urged to arrange that the tare on grain and grass be removed, and that the draft on wool also be removed and that wool bales be paid for.—Carried. Morton Mains Branch.—That this Conference ask the Executive to protest against the Stock Agents’ excessive charge of 5 per cent, for the sale of feed on the farms. —Carried. —Telephones and Mails.— Wendonside.—That the Union approach the Post and Telegraph Department with a view to having the rent reduced to settlers at a distance of 5 miles or over from a telephone bureau.—Carried. Invercargill.—The Government be recommended to reduce the present charges of telephone construction to the backblocks and country districts, thus adding materially to the revenue, also making country life more attractive.—Carried. —Miscellaneous.— Dipton.—That this Conference recommend the Executive to endeavour to have hares put in the same category as rabbits. —Carried. Invercargill.—To the Otago Farmers’ Union Mutual Fire Insurance Association being due the credit of making an all-round reduction in connection with fire insurance premiums, that all farmers be recommended to insure with the above Association.—Carried. Knapdale.—That the fencing Act be amended to make owners or users of stock responsible for any damage done by such stock when not on the owner’s or user’s property.—Carried. Invercargill.—That in view of the fast diminishing area of the Dominion’s forests, the Government be urged to plant trees of commercial value on portions of Crown Lands and Departmental leases which are unfit for agricultural and pastoral purposes, and that the Dominion Executive urge upon farmers throughout the Dominion the wisdom of following a similar course wher.ver and whenever possible.— Carried. Invercargill.—This Conference re-affirms the principle of centralisation of countryschools. —Struck out. Executive.—That this Conference expresses disappointment at the fact that the Government has not seen its way fit to indent wire netting for fanners and hopes that it will see its way to do so.—Carried. Nightcaps.—That the subsidy required from farmers in the backblocks for the delivery of their mails be withdrawn, as the same was only a war measure, and is only a class tax on the producer of the Dominion.—Carried. Waikaka Valley.—That it be a recommendation to the Southland Executive that arrangements be made for at least one visitation to each Branch within the province during the year by Executive mem-

bers, and that travelling expenses be allowed to members who undertake such work.—Carried. Wyndham.—That this Conference viewing with alarm the great increase in damage done by small birds urgently recommends the Southland Provincial Executive to consider an abatement of this nuisance. —Referred back to Executive for consideration. Balfour.—That this Conference asks the Executive to appoint a Committee to consider the question of forming registered trading Association and that Committee be asked to formulate a scheme to be brought before the Executive for consideration. — Carried.. Executive.—That the Moratorium be not lifted until a gradual system of relief has been introduced.—Referred to Dominion Conference. ANNUAL DINNER. The Annual Dinner was held in the evening at the Federal Rooms when over 60 gentlemen were present, among whom were Hon. J. A. Hanan, M.P.) Mr Adam Hamilton and Mr J. H. Reed. The following toasts were honoured:— “The King,” “Parliament,” proposed by Mr R. Sim and responded to by Mr Hanan; ‘‘Farmers’ Union,” proposed by Mr Hamilton and replied to by Mr Jas Cowie; “The Newly Elected President,” proposed by Mr P. Arnott, and responded to by Mr McKenzie; “Commercial Interests,” proposed by Mr R. Cumming and replied to by Mr J. H. Reed.