FARMERS’ UNION

Southland Times, Issue 21605, 18 January 1932, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION

SOUTHLAND EXECUTIVE MONTHLY MEETING. A meeting of the Southland executive of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union was held on Saturday when there were present: Messrs E. K. Sim (president, in tne chair), T. McMath, T. Currie, W. B. Hopcroft, W. H. Ward, J. 11. McLeod, W. Ford, Cuthbert, W. Couser, G. Earwaker, P. Arnott, R. Sim, F. J. Linscott, T. Hanning, A. H. McLean, T. McCann, G. Hamilton, S. Shaw, D. J. Heenan, W. Young, A. W. Clark, L. Hill, A. McKenzie, T. Major, H. Smith, E. Bowmar, J. R. Haigh, T. R. McLean, W. J. A. McGregor, A. S. McNaught, J. Evans and J. Cowie. The inspector of stock (Mr O. O. Mackley) wrote in reply to the union’s representations on the matter, that the greatest care was taken by the Department of Agriculture as to the poison content in the preparation of phosphorized pollard and it was considered that, if reasonable care and judgment were exercised in the laying of the poison, good results could be expected. There was no doubt about the poison strength of the pollard and the department was not prepared to replace orders. "

Mr Ward, in moving that the department be informed that the reply was unsatisfactory, said it appeared that the department was not fulfilling its obligation to clear lands from rabbits by supplying efficient poison—it seemed content to leave the matter to private enterprise. The motion was lost on the voices, and the letter was received. ’

The secretary of the Southland Electric Power Board wrote stating that the union's representations regarding the availability rate would be placed before the board at its next meeting on the 19th inst. The Dominion secretary of the Farmers’ Union advised that the duties on duplicate parts of implements which could be made in New Zealand were: (a) 10 per cent, on British made parts and (b) 35 per cent, on foreign, made, e.g., cultivators, drills, sowers, manure spreaders etc. If the implements and their duplicate parts could not be made in New Zealand, then both the implements and parts were admitted duty free, e.g., reapers and binders, mowers, threshing machines, hayrakes, wool presses, shearing machines (10 per cent was charged on foreign made). The General Manager of the New Zealand Railways acknowledged receipt of the union’s letter with reference to the Wynd-ham-Glenham branch line. “I desire to inform you that the Government Railways Board has made no present decision regarding the lifting of the rails on this line,” ran the letter. “I am to make it clear, however, that this is not to be taken as a committal on the part of the board to take no action in that direction. Your union must appreciate that unless a reasonable prima facie case for the reopening of the line within a reasonable period can be established, then the board would certainly not be justified in allowing the material on the line to remain with no other result than a depreciation in its value. The board has, however, taken no definite action regarding the lifting of the line, mainly for the reason that it was indicated to the department that those interested locally desired to place a proposition before the board regarding the future working of the line. A proposition has since been received from the Glenham Welfare League which, in the opinion of the board, would not justify the continued working of the line and the league was informed accordingly by letter dated November 7, 1931. The board as a matter of public duty cannot, however, allow the l>osition to continue indefinitely in abeyance, though with reference to the main rumour on which your letter is based, I am to repeat what is stated above, namely, that the board has come to no present decision regarding the lifting of the rails.”

The letter was referred to Mr Shaw, the representative of the district, who undertook to forward a copy to the Welfare League.

The chairman and Messrs Hopcroft, Shaw and Haigh were appointed a ‘‘hardship committee” to investigate cases of injustice by mortgagees dr mercantile firms which might ’be submitted by members of the union and, in accordance with the suggestion of the Farmers’ Union to forward all sound cases to the Central Committee in 'Wellington for investigation and the taking of legal action where necessary. Mr Heenan submitted a report regarding slight indications he had discovered of phosphate deposits in the Longwood Ranges and urged that further investigations should be undertaken by the Mines Department, "Some months ago I met Professor Park, of Dunedin, who had been surveying in the vicinity of the Longwoods,” said Mr McGregor. “Professor Park considered at that time that some effort should be made with a view to pursuing investigations into the existence of phosphate rock in Southland.” Continuing, Mr McGregor said that it was because so little had been done in (he Western District by the Geological Department that the Nightcaps branch had brought forward its recent remit that the Government should be asked to send an expert to Southland to investigate. On Mr McGregor’s motion, it was resolved to again request the Government to conduct further investigations. WOMEN’S DIVISION MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Invercargill branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers' Union was held on Saturday, when Mrs Ward presided over a large attendance of members and extended a welcome to two new members. A motion of sympathy was passed with Mrs Faithweather in the loss of her brother, members standing in silence. Mrs Lokan reported having sold 300 Tuis Annuals with the result that the funds of the division profited to the extent of £7 7/-. Special thanks were due Mrs Gray and Mrs Hawkes for their assistance in selling them. Mrs Lokan reported that the quilt patches were all finished and ready for making up. Mrs McKenzie had kindly offered to make the quilt, Mrs Randle made the suggestion that the quilt should be exhibited to the public when completed. A total of £l5 had been collected as a result of Mrs McDonald’s efforts in connection with the quilt. The following remits were passed to be forwarded to the Dominion Executive: (1) “That as our dressmakers are usually engaged for one week or less, the fee of 2/6 should be reduced to 1/- as it makes the charge for one week’s work too heavy.” (2) "That when the dressmaker is engaged for one day only a charge of 7/- should be made.”

Mrs Russell reported that the dressmaker was engaged, until February 8, and that two housekeepers were required for short periods. It was left in the hands of the president to make arrangements for a suitable demonstration at the next meeting.

After the meeting Mrs Lawson, president of the Clifden branch, gave a very instructive lecture on the tanning and dyeing of sheepskins and hides, and exhibited some beautiful specimens of rugs made from ryed skins. Mrs Randle exhibited bottles of preserves and explained the process used. A vote of thanks was conveyed to the two demonstrators by the president for their interesting lecturettes.