FARMERS' UNION.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13739, 3 June 1913, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT.

At the provincial conference of the dinners' Union an interesting address was delivered by the president, Mr ho Tunnieliiro, from wnieh tlie following extracts are made :—

The resolutions that wore passed at the Dominion Conference, and placed before the Government for consideration, wore all in the interests of tho farmers of the Dominion; and consequently, were of interest to the whole community, because anything that be-n-eftts' tho primary producer benefits tho people as a whole. The Advisory Committee have publishod an interim report of tho result of the conference's deliberations. By that report it will bo seen that several important measures havp been passed 'by the Government, whilst others are still under consideration; so that, on the whole, tho iniiuonco of the Union is worth a good deal to the farmers. Although we may appear to be weak locally, we aro part and parcel of a very influential organisation. 1 am pleased to say that all the remits sent up from Nelson wore passed by the conference, with the exception of through booking, and aro now in force. An important one, from the fruit-growers' point of view, is the removal of tho protection from opossums. And affecting the farmers, imported manures have now; to be packed in lewt bags, this arrangement being considered much more convenient than tho 2cwt bags.

I think you will agree that considering the short time we were able to keep him, the result, of the visit of'Mr Fowler as organiser was very satisfactory. Five new branches were formed, and increased interest was . taken ii» the affairs of the Union. The formation of the Waimea branch was very gratifying to mo, as I have long considered the absence of a branch at ourj headquarters was somewhat anomalous. The Waimea branch bids fair to become one of the strongest in Nelson, and of course it should be, situated as it is, right in the centre of an agricultural district, and members will be able to make the fullest use of the organisation. Before leaving the matter of organisation I would like to say that I am firmly of opinion that Mr Fowler's visit should luu <$ been followed up 'by one of our executive officers. I very much regret that I have been unable to spare the time to visit the branches. This, 1 consider, a most important part of the president's duty, but I also consider that he should at least receive his actual out-of-pocket expenses. This, in my opinion, would bo money well spent.

This is, the fifth year in succession that tho question of through booking lias been brought under your notice. 1 had great hopes from what I gathered while in Wellington last July, that this scheme would have been an established fact ere this, but since then the Postal authorities, with the approval of the fruit-growers' associations, have instituted a parcel post arrangement for tho carrying of fruit, which to my mind will have to be considerably improved beforo it is of any commercial valuo as a means of distribution. As has already been pointed out .through the Press/ only parcels not exceeding lllbs can be received Uy the Post Office. A full case of fruit would have to 'be made up of four separate parcels and placed in a crate. Thero is little: wonder that it is not used. I hope the' conference will agreo to send this remit up to the Dominion Conference once again, as.there may be more hope of its being-put into force when the new general manager for railways arrives, otherwise I would not have pushed tho question any further, seeing that the people we are endeavouring to help in the first place, are so intent in following a shadow (the Post Office scheme) in preference to a solid advantage. I consider that the Wanganui Education Board are deserving of the commendation of every farmer in the Dominion for the steps they are taking in their educational district, in taking the senior scholars out on the farms and giving them a practical insight into the scientific side of farming under a capable instructor. I should like this meeting to arrange a conference with tho local Education Board for the purpose of discussing the question. lam sure that there are plenty of farmers in tho Waimoas who would, gladly aid a scheme -to improve farming methods. Every thinking man knows that the farmers of the future will have to learn considerably more of the scientific side of the business than the farmers of to-day.

Harbour improvement is a question that at first sight you may think we should not discuss, hut as ratepayers and producers we are vitally interested in it. lam sure you are all agreed that it is absolutely necessary that the harbour should be kept open to ocean steamers. It is equally necessary that it should be considerably improved, but whether it is necessary to carry out the larger scheme that the Board have decided to ask the ratepayers to sanction, is a question that needs thinking about. We are given to understand that direct shipment means a saving of at least 15s a ton, outward and inward. The question is, who is benefiting by that saving? Is it the general public, otherwise tho consumers ? If not, then who docs ? This is a question that will require to be answered by someone before n. )(••■> •■> i« sanctioned, or I am iv •••■■'' --;f-V (1 - | am sure we are i 1! pp^-kiii« for "'<>' district to'advnneo. kthl if ti! '> (\\%ier.<lLturo of this mo::cy ':,: the jdk -fv •"":'■

of the harbour will ns;-' '■ ii •'" - me'nt, then it is our .duty to b«ck "'.t> the Harbour Board.

In conclusion T wish to take this opportunity of thanking the members of the executive for the interest and attention to ths business of tlie Union. During the year we have held several meetings, and with one or two exceptions these have been well attondecJ.