FARMERS' UNION.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13808, 23 August 1913, Page 7

FARMERS' UNION.

REVIEW OF DOMINION CONFER-

ENCE.

At the meeting of the provincial executive of the Farmers' ' Union on Tuesday, the president, Mr. Ivo Tunnicliffe, reviewed the proceedings of the recent Dominion Conference. Tho following is extracted from his address :—

On entering the conference room on! the second day's sitting I was agreeably surprised to see such a large pro-' portion of the delegates were young m,en. This in my opinion is a healthy sign, and shpws'that the influence of the union is gradually taking kold of those that it is necessary to have in our ranks, viz., young men of energy and brains. The first business to be discussed on the second day was the question of the need of light railways to act as feeders to the main lines. This was unanimously endorsed by the conference. The president is taking a very keen interest in the question of light railways. ■Marlborough and tho Sounds asked the conference to urge the Government to push on with the South Island main trunk line, but after considerable discussion the remit was ruled out of order as being a local question, and a resolution was carried urging the Government to push on with the main trunk lines of tho Dominion. Taranaki wanted to get a remit through in regard to an export duty on white pine, in the interests of the dairying industry, but after hearing Mr. Cuddies explanation that, according to the evidence of tho Forestry Commission, the supply of white pine would be available for many years, and therefore an export duty was not necessary, the remit was withdrawn. There "were no less than 30 remits dealing, with railway matters, the majority being carried. The most important was the need of abolishing the preferential rates on imported hardwood timber and coal. Through booking by rail and sea was well received, and carried with tho addition that the Minister of Railways be asked to convene a conference of those directly interested to go fully into the question. Immigration: Of tho five remits on the order paper all but one were withdrawn, the remit from Southland being carried. The next question of importance was defence. The conference expressed its approval of the principle of tho Territorial scheme. Colonel Head was present, and answered'many questions and explained many things that were not quite understood, as, for instance, the unsatisfactory ■commisariat arrangements in connection with the Yaldhurst camp. The colonel characterised this as due to mismanagement of the brigade officers, and he' would see that such a state of affairs did not occur again. Agricultural, pastoral, and noxious weeds: Win lei the conference was discussing remits under the above heading Messrs Clifton, Pope, Cockayne, Dr. Reakes, and Mr. J. L. Bruce, officers of the departments concerned, were present, and gave the delegates some very interesting and useful information in connection with their several departments. The very fact of the heads of departments being brought into touch with farmers in this way is a splendid thing, as it all tends to engender a good feeling and understanding. I cannot deal seriatim with all the remits, 156 in number, including ten on the supplementary order paper. I am sorry to say that I was not very successful with the Nelson i-emits. The one dealing with noxious weeds was referred back to the executive, as it was found that if passed in that form it would have more far-reaching effects than would be-desirable. The other remit, dealing with the re-establishment of road districts in counties, did not meet with much support. The wording was not quite as it was meant to be,, so .1 asked leave to withdraw. A notice of motion on the same subject was tabled by Marlborough, and was dealt with at the close of the conference, and lost by one vote. In conclusion, I should like to say that, as regards the value of the Farmers' Union, I am more convinced than ever that we are making a greater impression on the farming community than many farmers have any idea of. The results of the recent conference will be of considerable advantage to the farmers of the, Dominion. I am also convinced that it is very necessary that we should;, always be represented at the conference.