FARMER’S UNION

Southland Times, Issue 20539, 16 July 1928, Page 4

FARMER’S UNION

SOUTHLAND EXECUTIVE. MONTHLY MEETING. The* monthly meeting of the Southland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held on Saturday. There were present: Messrs D. Dickie (president, in the chair), ?r. K. Sim, A. R. Johnston, 11. Smith, L. Woodfield, F. Walker, P. Arnott, H. Blackmore, T. J. McCann, A. S. McNaught, F. Linscott, W. P. Hishon, T. R. McLean, W. H. Ward, W. J. Campbell, A. Orr, R. Sim, A. McKenzie, T. A. Stephens, J. Drysdale, G. Calder, G. Earwaker, T. Major, T. Hanning, G. F. McCrae and O. E. Niederer. MOTOR REGULATIONS. Replying to the secretary’s communication urging that the new regulations providing that tail lamps must be placed on the right hand side of cars, the Southland Motor Association advised that it had previously protested against this regulation. The letter stated that although the regulation was perhaps an annoyance in the changing over it was considered to be a great advantage to have the uniformity in the lighting. Replying to the executive’s letter urging that action be taken against cyclists’ using roads after dark without lights and red discs on their machines, Inspector A. S. Bird stated that the matter would receive attention. “I am directed to inform you that the Council is providing for the parking of motors in the best interests of the public,” said a letter received from the Town Clerk in reply to the executive’s protest against the proposed cutting out of the Crescent as a parking area. The present consideration of the areas had become necessary under the new motor vehicle regulations. The attention of the motor inspector had been called to the executive’s statement that bicycles were being used at night without the regulation lights and red discs. Members considered that the executive should renew its request that the Crescent should remain a parking area and it was decided that a deputation consisting of Messrs A. S. McNaught and A. McKenzie with the secretary (Mr A. L. Adamson) should wait on the Council. PORK SUBSIDY. A circular from the Dominion secretary stated that the subsidy on pork was at the rate of id per lb. on pork exported to Great Britain provided the carcases weighed between 60 lbs and 180 lbs. The subsidy applied only to pigs killed from February 1 to October 31, 1928. An announcement would be made at a later date regarding the subsidy to be paid for the 1929-1930 seasons. The subsidy was paid to the exporter. The amount that had been paid to date was £3,644 19/1. GENERAL. Referring to the conference remit that inspection of sheep be carried out before sales at public saleyards, Mr J. Danskin, Government Veterinarian, stated in a letter that he had interviewed the various inspectors of stock in the district. He could assure the executive that all inspections in future would be carried out before the sheep were put up for sale, except in such cases where it was absolutely unavoidable. Mr. J. Pickard, district railway traffic manager, advised that the representations of the executive in regard to the shortage of sheep trucks would be forwarded to the divisional superintendent for consideration. The secretary made a suggestion that an “organizing week” should be held in August for the purpose of reviving the interest in branches that were inclined to be weak. The suggestion met with approval and it was decided to hold such a week from August 20.

After a discussion in committee it was decided to instruct the secretary to take steps to have his. office registered as a labour agency and operated as such for the benefit of members and farm workers. The cost of railage on fertilizers from the ship’s side at Bluff to country stations was discussed at some length on the receipt of a letter from the Pukerau branch claiming that the charges made on a recent consignment were excessive. It was decided to ask for further information on the matter. Mr A. R. Johnston gave an interim report on the matter of river erosion. He said that the names of all settlers affected by flood waters had been obtained together with information of losses and would be handed to the County Council. The post office arrangements to advise settlers of floods were satisfactory and settlers were advised to take advantage of them. GORE BRANCH. MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Gore branch of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday was attended by Messrs H. E. Bacon (chairman), D. Gilchrist, J. Wyllie, A. F. Henderson, J. A. Johnston, W. G. ladbrook, J. M. Rankin, A. P. Cowie, J. Genge, R. J. Johnston, F. Smith, J. Nicholson, D. Falconer, Hugh Smith, J. Gray, J. C. Chalmers, A. Hayward. CONDOLENCE. A motion of condolence was passed to the relatives of the late Mesdames A. Allen, J. Hoffman and Mr J. E. Humphries. AGRICULTURAL CLUB FORMED. A letter was received from the Department of Agriculture in regard to the establishment of boys’ and girls’ agricultural clubs in Southland. The Department advised that the objects of the club were to foster among members a love, interest and respect for stock, crops and the soil. Further, to encourage co-operation and discussions on aspects pertaining to agriculture; to teach boys and girls in experimenting and demonstrating for themselves, participating together in a movement —striving to raise agriculture to the highest possible level; to maintain the relationship between the peoples of the towns and country, and to prevent the trend of population from rural to urban areas; to link practice with science in arranging agricultural competitions such as stock and crops, and co-operat-ing with show societies and such organizations in providing classes for crops and stock. Encouraging employment and prosperity, assisting in completing the members more fitted for life, was the motto of the movement.

The chairman stated that the formation of these clubs had been in operation in America for a number of years and had met with a surprising amount of success. In New Zealand a number of clubs had been formed in the North Island during the last year or so and now it was proposed to commence them in the South Island. The matter had been discussed by the Provincial Executive, but no communications on the matter had been sent on to the branches. However, a meeting was held at the Gore Public School on Friday and he had attended it as representing the Gore branch. The Agricultural Department had sent a representative from Invercargill, while representatives of the newly-formed Garden Club at Gore were also present. The meeting, however, seemed to have been called at very short notice and other organizations in the district interested in agricultural matters were not represented. The meeting, however, decided to form a club which it was hoped would receive very general support. The Department undertook to supply all the manures and seeds required in connection with the plots, while he understood that the prizes would be provided from the Reginald McKinnon Trust Fund. At present no financial assistance was required from other organizations, which, however, were asked to take an interest in the club and to support it in any way possible. Mr Hugh Smith stated that they were very fortunate in having at Gore a headmaster such as Mr J. McK. Miller. He took a very keen interest in agricultural matters and tried to interest the children under him.

On the motion of Mr Hugh Smith, seconded by Mr W. G. Ladbrook, a motion

was passed approving of the formation of the club and confirming the action of the chairman in attending the meeting and giving the proposal his support. An interesting paper on potash was read by Mr D. Gilchrist, who was accorded a he_arty vote of thanks. The full text will appear in next Saturday’s farm section.