FARMERS’ UNION

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5940, 8 May 1944, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION

AUCKLAND EXECUTIVE MEETING MANY OF INTEREST COVERED The monthly meeting of Auckland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Faarmers’ Union was held in Auckland recently, when the president (Captain H. M. Rushworth) presided. Mr A. E. Bryant (president of Te Awamutu branch of the Union) was present. A remit from Pakaraka branch, forwarded by Bay of Islands Sub-pro-vincial Executive, took exception to the quoting by Cabinet Ministers of production increases in terms of money. There had been a rise in costs since the war began, and that had beeen reflected speedily in the higher money values of New Zealand manufactured goods. This applied also, in a lesser degree, to primary products, thus making money values quite useless as a comparison of actual production. The remit, which' was moved by Mr Jones, was adopted. A complaint regarding the “ exorbitant ” price of chaff was received from Matiere (Southern King Country) branch, which also expressed the present disparity between the price view that the present disparity between the price of woolly and shorn lambs was too great. The first remit was referred to the provincial secretary for inquiry, and the second to Mr R. R. Blade (Ahuroa) for a report.

A Pakaraka (Bay of Islands) branch remit expressed the opinion that pastures laid down since fertiliser rationing was introduced should be entitled to the usual allocation in proportion to area. The president said that a special sum had been allocated for this purpose, and applications would be received until the end of April. A remit from Umawera (Bay of Islands) branch asked that the Government be requestd to require that seed potatoes be tested for certification as free from disease. The remit was adopted. The fact that railway restrictions had prevented many farmers and their wives from taking their annual holidays was mentioned in a remit from Matiere branch, forwarded by Southern King Country Sub-Provin-cial Executive. It was suggested that an application be made for an additional allowance of petrol to meet the position. The remit 'was -withdrawn after brief discussion.

The question of railway travelling permits for children attending school over 50 miles from their homes was discussed and referred to the Dominion Executive.

A Wihangarei remit, affirming the desirability of more up-to-date weather forecasts, was adopted. A difficulty that had arisen in regard to distribution of molasses was the subject of a letter from the Department of Supply forwarded by the Dominion secretary of the Farmers’ Union.

The Department stated that after considerable difficulty it had obtained from the Army 5966 drums for the conveyance of molasses from Australia. An order for 2000 tons of molasses had been placed in the Commonwealth, and the drums available had been sufficient for 1500 tons, leaving 500 tons to be delivered. The distribution was undertaken by the Internal Marketing Division, which made an extra charge of £2 10s for each drum, this sum to be re-credited to farmers on return of drums. Only about 500 drums, however, had been returned owing, it was understood, to farmers holding them as containers pending consumption of the molasses. The Department had placed an order for a further 2000 tons for the current season, but unless the drums were returned at once there was every likelihood that farmers would be faced with a shortage of molasses during the winter, as drums were in short supply owing to the heavy demand for other purposes. It was suggested that farmers should obtain alternative cheaper containers. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr A.*C. Harrison (Tauranga), secended by Mr R. W. Strugnell (Omokoroa), That if it is necessary to subsidise the rearing of heifer calves the subsidy should be applicable to all dairy heifer calves reared, and the necessary moneys should be paid out of the Consolidated Fund.” On the motion of Mr A. E. Bryant (Te Awamutu), seconded by Mr R. W. Strugnell (Omokoroa), it was resolved to protest against the deduction of 2s a head in the price of bobby calves.

On the motion of Mr Scott Davidson (Whangarei), seconded by Mr Strugnell, it was resolved, “If the national requirements are for greater production of baconer pigs, and having regard to the very much cheaper supplementary foods obtainable by producers in Australia, this executive is of opinion that a price above that paid for baconer pigs in Australia must be paid in New Zealand if the requirements are to be fulfilled.” Mr A. Briscoe Moore (Pipiwai) moved, “ That, in the opinion of this Executive, encouragement to meat producers is essential if meat production is to be maintained, as indicated by the alarming drop in killings, that the practical necessities are increase in price, availability of fertilisers and labour, and provision for a reserve exempt from taxation, to overtake arrears of maintenance in the past two years.” This was seconded by Mr V. Simms (Otorohanga) and carried. It was decided to send copies of the resolution to the Dominion executive and the Sheepowners’ Federation.