GORE FARMERS

Southland Times, Issue 19501, 16 March 1925, Page 8

GORE FARMERS

UNION MEETINGS

VETERINARY SURGEON MOVEMENT

DAIRY CONTROL SUPPORTED

On Saturday the Gore district farmers considered several important subjects, and they decided to endorse the application of the Dairy Control Board, and further to endeavour to induce a qualified veterinary surgeon to take up residence in the district.

FARMERS’ UNION. GORE SUB-EXECUTIVE. 81-MONTHLY MEETING. The bi-monthly meeting of the Gore SubExecutive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held at Gore on Saturday ; present—Messrs D. Dickie (chair), W. Millar (Knapdale), F. Walker (Riversdale), H. Horrell (Mandeville), R. L. Byars (Otama), H. E. Bacon (Gore), W. Chittock (Waikaka Valley), H. Smith (Waikaka), E. Bowmar (Gore), D. Gilchrist (Waikaka Valley), and G. P. Johgston (Waikaka Valley). VETERINARY SURGEON. The Otama Branch wrote recommending that the Sub-Executive use its influence in obtaining a qualified veterinary surgeon for the Eastern District. In support of the recommendation, Mr R. L. Byars said that the time was ripe for the establishment of a qualified veterinary surgeon in the Eastern District. At the present time they had no qualified man, and there were many farmers with valuable stock in the district. It was only right that the Union do its utmost to assist the movement. It was a strange thing that a district extending practically from the Blue Mountains to Edendale should be without the services of a qualified vet., whose opinion could be obtained on stock diseases. He moved that the Sub-Executive recommend the various branches in the Eastern District as far south as Brydone to support the movement to obtain the services of a qualified vet. for the Eastern District. This was seconded by Mr Bacon, who said that it was time they had someone to look after the stock, and that was a real live vet. for the district. The recommendation was carried. CORNSACKS ALLOWANCE. The Chairman said there was some dissatisfaction over the price being paid to farmers by merchants for cornsacks. The farmer had been charged 1/9. for sacks with the promise that 1/7 would be allowed on new sacks—a difference of 2d per sack. However, merchants were now deducting 24d per sack on all new sacks. Mr R. L. Byars said he had first noticed the 2id deduction by the merchants when selling oats. When he had bought his sacks at 1/9 he was led to believe that when he sold his grain that he would receive 1/7 for his sacks, but when the sale note was received he was only paid 1/6A. He did not think that was a fair deal. The merchants had said that they had a lot of money in sacks, but it was the farmer who was the loser, and 21d per sack was too much for the farmer to lose. He had made some inquiries, about the fixing of the prices for sacks, and was informed that the price was fixed by merchants further, north, and those men had decided that 2id was to be deducted from cornsacks. When the farmers were paying from 6d to 7d for sacks the deduction was only Id. When sacks rose farmers were deducted 2d, and now they were losing 2Jd, which was a big loss. He did not know where the matter would end, and it was in the interests of the Union to see what could be done to bring the deduction back to Id per sack. The merchants said they had a lot of money involved, but he was of the opinion that the farmers were those involved. as the farmer seldom sold as many sacks as he bought. He moved that the Sub-Executive write the Merchants’ Associations, Invercargill and Gore, asking them to make the difference between the buying and selling prices of cornsacks Id as in previous years. The old argument, that if the merchant paid less for the sack he would pay more for its contents, w’as being raised, but that was not so. The Union should do its utmost to get the present price altered, as it was net fair that the farmer should lose 2*d.

The Chairman: When I went to buy my sacks the merchants apologised for the high price (1/9), but told me that I would only lose 2d. I now learn that all 1 will receive for my sacks will be 1/6A. I mentioned that I was promised 1/7 for my sacks and was informed that it would be all right so far as I was concerned. He went on to say that when payment for corn-sacks was first mentioned to the merchants, the old argument of paying more for contents was brought up, and this was used again. The present attitude of the merchants was the thin end of the wedge to get away from the payment of sacks. It was speculation which caused the recent high prices for sacks.

Mr Horrell seconded the motion, saying it was out of all reason that they should lose 2id per sack. Mr Henry Smith asked if anyone knew what price the merchants charged for the sacks when they were passed in.

The Chairman: They always charge farmers new rates if the sacks are new.

Mr Henry Smith said he had had the same experience as Mr Byars. He had been assured that he would only lose 2d a sack, but his returns showed that the merchants had taken 2jd. Mr Byars: The local merchants were not making anything, but we are losers. The Association that arranged the price at 1/64 was responsible for us losing a lot. Mr Bowmar asked Mr Byars if he were certain that the local merchants made nothing out of the sacks. In reply Mr Byars said he was not sure, but he did know they charged him 1/9 and only refunded 1/64. The motion protesting against the reduction was then put and carried. WOOL TARE. A clause relating to extra tare in bin wool was read by the Chairman, but no one appeared confident as to what it really meant, and the matter was referred to the Provincial Executive. DAIRY CONTROL. The application of the Dairy Control Board for complete control was introduced by the Chairman, who said they were all conversant with the matter. A number of Chambers of Commerce were freely criticising the move and passing resolutions against it, while a few were supporting it. The Dominion Executive had passed a motion supporting the Board in any action it deemed necessary. He had played a lone hand at the Gore Chamber of Commerce where a resolution, proposed by Mr P. C. Gray and seconded by Mr E. R. Bowler, stating that the Board’s a:tion was “an unwarranted interference with trade” was carried.

“A lot of the arguments advanced against the control by the Chambers,” said Mr H. E. Bacon, “are almost identical with those of earlier days when we tried to have grading made compulsory.” He said that previous to the grading being introduced anyone was at liberty to export dairy produce without any regard to quality. A large number opposed the introduction of ■ grading sayiag it would interfere with the

liberty of the subject—the same argument was being used to-day. In spite of that opposition the measure had been put through, and who would dare criticise the grading system of to-day?—(Hear, hear.) The control agitation started 20 years ago when farmers recognised some control was necessary, so that a reasonable price could be obtained. At that time the merchants aimed at getting 50 per cent, of the produce in their hands, and once they attained that end they did as they liked with the remainder. If they could not get control of more than 50 per cent, they forced the farmers to consign, and they then had the prices in their own hands. It was this that started the agitation for control. Control was established, not with the idea of getting bigger prices, but to secure stability of prices; in fact farmers might have to accept lower prices than those recently obtained. The opposition, so general in Chambers of Commerce, was engineered by those interested in the export business—(Hear hear.)—many of them thinking that with higher export prices they wculd have to pay a higher price for the local article. They failed to realise that they could not be prosperous unless the farmers were prosperous. If the farmer can secure stabilised prices, and prices a little beter than those of to-day, it was up to him to do so. The dairyman worked 12, 14 or 16 hours a day, and even under the present conditions farmers in the North Island were leaving their farms. How can a country be prosperous under such conditions. If the dairyman were certain of assured prices then many of the larger farms would be cut up, and farms of 80 to 100 acres worked at a profit. By the cultivation of smaller farms those people who were now opposing control would have more coming back than they would lose by the establishment of control. He was of the opinion that the objectors were working on short-sighted lines. He went on to say that the dairy industry was threatened with increased competition from the Argentine and Siberia, and they should endeavour to have everything in order before that opposition became too strenuous. “Do those who are opposing control,” he proceeded, “think the Board, composed of dairymen, is going to do anything detrimental to the industry? There is no danger of that. In Canterbury the argument was used that the Board was upsetting the system of marketing, which had been built up. That system was built up for us, not by us, and it did not always act in our interests. We can justifiably go on w’ith control as I think there will be very little alteration in the method of handling our produce, as the Board will not do anything of a revolutionary nature, and firms will still continue to handle our produce. We should have every confidence in the Board and give it the control it asks.”

The Chairman: The Board wants control so that it can regulate shipment. At present with f.o.b. sales and consignments it was difficult to decide who was going to fill the cargo space available. Mr G. P. Johnston: As a Union we should support the dairymen if they consider it wise to control their output. We should say: “All right we will support you in this.” He said he had attended the recent wool sale in Dunedin, where he saw wool started at 17d which brought 23d. “I have always been opposed to a wool control,” he said, “but after that sale I am not so sure that dairy control might be of benefit as well.

The Chairman: It Is stated that f.o.b. sales can be manipulated to the detriment of produce going on consignment.

Mr Bowmar said the Provincial Executive had passed a resolution strongly supporting the Control Board’s application for a license for control over the exportable produce of the Dominion. “I would like to endorse the attitude taken by our Chairman at the recent local Chamber meeting,” he said, a remark which was endorsed by hearty “Hear, hears” all round the room. “The Board had given this matter serious consideration, and it has information which is not available to us. On that information it deemed a certain attitude was necessary’, and if farmers were not prepared to support it, it was a vote of no confidence in the Board.” He said they should consider the question on broad principles and should be prepared to state they still had confidence in the Board, although it was proposing drastic steps which it considered would prove necesary and advantageous. He moved that this Sub-Executive has every confidence in the Control Board and strongly supports it in its application for a license to control the exportable dairy produce of the Dominion, and further that copies of the resolution be forwarded the member for the district and the Chairman of the Control Board. Mr Horrell: All this talk about Socialism and Bolshevism is pure nonsense. I have great pleasure in seconding the motion. The motion was carried unanimously. MOTOR TAXATION. “Has anyone anything to bring forward about the motor taxation?” asked the Chairman with a smile. “I have been apopinted by the County Council,” said Mr Bowmar, “to proceed to Wellington to oppose the flat rate—(Hear, hear) —and we want your whole-hearted support. A member: You w'ill get it. Mr Bowmar, continuing, said the Counties last year had agreed to give the flat rate a trial for twelve months at the request of the Premier, Hon. W. F. Massey, but now he was going as the representative of Southland and Wallace Counties to ask that if more revenue were required that it be obtained by increasing the tyre tax.—(Hear, hear.) The attitude of the Southland Counties was very clear. Mr Bacon moved that the Sub-Executive was still dissatisfied with the flat tax on cars, and asked that the law be altered and k if more revenue were necessary it be raised by means of a tyre tax.

Mr G. P. Johnston seconded the motion, which was carried.

The question was then asked Mr Bowmar if the drivers’ licenses issued were good for the whole Dominion, and an affirmative reply was given. The Chairman: At present licenses were being issued wholesale without any examination. It was like taking money under false pretences to issue a license to a person who was not capable of driving a car. The license was for the protection of the public. He had understood that the 5/- charge was to provide the necessary fund for examinations, and was not to be a “perk” to the local body issuing the license.

Mi’ Bacon objected to the annual renewal of drivers’ licenses. He was of opinion that a larger fee should be paid in the first instance instead of an annual recurring fee. He moved that the Sub-Executive object to the annual renewal of drivers’ licenses and also the absence of examination for such.

This wa? seconded by Mr Walker and carried.

GORE BRANCH.

MONTHLY MEETING. RAILWAY SERVICES DISCUSSED. The monthly meeting of the Gore Branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held on Saturday afternoon, Mr H. E. Bacon presiding over a good attendance. A letter from the District Traffic Manager, Mr W. Resell, was read asking that the Union use its influence to induce farmers at patronise the railways, which were now improving the services. The Chairman said this matter was important, and he would like to hear members express an opinion.

Mr E. Bowmar said the lorries were still competing successfully with the railways with regard to the carriage of ’’petrol and

■; i.cral merchandise. There was not so much wool carted by lorry this year as last. Mr Hugh Smith said the railways were a great boon and had assisted in the development of the country. If the heavy lorry traffic continued they would not be able to keep up their roads, which were now showing signs of wear. They should encourage members to patronise the railways whenever possible. There were many things about the railways that they did not like, but that should not prevent them using the railway now that those in charge were trying to improve the services.

Mr D. Gilchrist said the Waikaka Valley branch had passed a resolution in support of the railways, but this was a local matter as an extended service had been given them. They could not do without the railways although lorries might be used as feeders.

Mr D. Dickie said the Provincial Executive had received a similar letter, but had not given it its whole support. The executive had passed a resolution that it would ask farmers to support the railways when a satisfactory service was inaugurated. The Chairman said they would not get a satisfactory service from the railways until political control' was eliminated. Better services had been promised, but in some instances the old red tape methods were coming back. They should wait another 12 months before expressing any opinion in the revised methods of the services. The letter was received. Several important matters were held over until the next meeting. VETERINARY SURGEON. NEEDS OF GORE DISTRICT. NEGOTIATIONS FOR QUALIFIED MAN. The establishment of a veterinary surgeon in Gere was considered by a representative gathering of farmers on Saturday when it was decided to negotiate for a qualified veterinary surgeon to immigrate and settle in Gore. Mr T. Logan, Otama, was voted to the chair, and in opening briefly explained the objects of the meeting. They had approached Dr Reakes and had asked him to recommend a man to them, but Dr Reakes had stated that he did not know of anyone who would suit them. Mr Dunskin, Government veterinarian at Balclutha, had just returned from Scotland, and had recommended two men to him as suitable, the better being a married man. The meeting was called to see what encouragement they were prepared to give to induce a man to leave Scotland and immigrate. The married man had expressed favourable views when asked about coming ou to New Zealand by Mr Dunskin. A letter was forwarded him about three weeks ago asking what encouragement he required. He would like to hear the views of those present. Personally he was of the opinion that a veterinary surgeon was necessary in such a large district, and he was sure a qualified man would make a good living. When they had Mr Martin, the Veterinary Association was in existence, but it was for them to discuss the matter and decide the best way to obtain a qualified man to take up practice. The roads in and around Gore were good, and the district extended as far as Kelso. If a married man did come out it would take a good deal of capital to pay fares and get settled. Mr G. P. Johnston suggested that the Association be formed again, as this would ensure a sufficient guarantee for a start. On the other hand, however, a good man would find his way about without the assistance of an Association. He would support any movement to obtain a man. The quality of the stock was improving as years went by and accidents were bound to happen. It was his experience that when anything went wrong it was always the best animals that were affected. A qualified veterinary surgeon would enable them to save stock, and at the present time there was a great need for such a man in the district.

The Chairman: If we form an Association again it will be more encouragement for a man to leave Scotland if he is assured of a good position. Mr Bacon: Have you any idea of the qualifications and experience of the man in Scotland ? The Chairman: It is hardly likely Mr Dunskin would recommend a man who was not qualified to make a success of the practice. In answer to a question the Chairman said that members of the Association paid an annual subscription of £1 and were charged as folows:—Up to 5 miles, 12/6 a visit; 5 to 10 miles, 15/-; 10 to 15 miles, 20/-; 15 to 20 miles, 22/6; and over 20 miles mileage charged at the rate of 1/per mile. Mr Hugh Smith said there was no doubt that they should have a qualified man in Gore. The Crookston people were anxious to join in with the movement and with such a district it was desirable to make some effort to secure a man. He was quite prepared to subscribe to a bonus or join an Association to encourage a man to start. If they got a good man the remuneration would exceed their expectations, and there was no fear of failure if they got another man like Mr Martin.

Mr G. P. Johnston then moved and Mr J. Bmce seconded that this meeting take steps ot secure the services of a qualified veterinary surgeon for the district. This was carried unanimously. The Chairman: It is for you to decide what steps we shall take to secure a man.

Mr Bruce then moved that farmers be asked to subscribe £1 to a bonus to secure a qualified man. This was seconded by Mr E. Bowmar, who said it was the easier way for them. However, he was quite willing to join an Association if necessary.

Mr D. Gilchrist said the motion was too vague as they did not know what sum they would require to bring a man out. The passage money alone would be a considerable sum. The Association had been an unsatisfactory method and he would favour giving a sufficient sum to induce a man to immigrate. Mr Bacon said that the most feasible scheme was to cable and find out exactly what was required to induce this man to immigrate.

An amendment, proposed by Mr Gilchrist and seconded by Mr Bacon, that the Chairman be authorised to ascertain what inducement was required to bring out a veterinary surgeon from Scotland, was proposed. The motion was then withdrawn and the amendment carried unanimously. Mr Gilchrist suggested that as the spring work on the farm was important, the Chairman be authorised to cable and find out the position.

The following Committee was appointed to carry out the necessary preliminary work —Messrs T. Logan (Chairman), J. Stevenson, R. L. Byars, E. Dodds, Hugh Smith and W. Dickie.