FARMERS' UNION.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13792, 12 June 1915, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

NELSON PROVINCIAL CON-

FERENCE,

The annual meeting of the Nelson district branch of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union was held "at the Oddfellows' Hall. Richmond, yesterday afternoon. The president (Mr. Ivo Tunnicliffe) occupied the chair. There were also present: Vice-president, Mr. W. Thorn; delegates, Messrs. G. Winter (Takaka), J/ Ealwell (StanleyBrook), R. C. Witrhens (Wakapuaka), G. L. Mead (Kciere-Motupiko), J. A. Guy (Ngatimoti), B. M.-Field (Dovedale), K.-G.-Tumiicliffe (Karamea), W. Jefferies (Bainham) ,_ T. Bell (Murchison),. and the-following members of the executive:—Messrs. R. H. Turner/A. Shirtjiny F. Whitwell, Geo. Dodson, A. Wilkinson, E. W. Frost, E. Robinson, and W. D. Harkn'ess (secretary). Messrs. T. Field and R, P. Hudson, .Vl.P.'s, and Mr. J. Hunt (Mayor of Richmond) were also present by invita-, tion. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The president (Mr.l. Tunnicliffe) in his address, made reference to the war, and said :-- "The Farmers' Union organisation has, from the commencement of the war, been most active in assisting the authorities in equipping and sendng away the Expeditionary Forces from our shores, and is still assisting and will be prepared to continue to assist in any way for the good and welfare if the Empire and of the men who have gone forth,andtho-sewho are going frrth to fight for our King and country. We who are left behind must redouble cur efforts to keep up the industries and provide ways and means to carry' on the groat iight. This, in my opinion, is where our- organisation can nuvei'mlIy assist. The responsibilities of the farmers of this country have cycably increased. It is.their duty to ?«?e that the production does not suffer <m account of the loss of so much IrJ-or.r They must see that the most up-to-date methods are employed in the onlti-a-ticn of the isoil. The question ;s, How are we to do this ? It seems to me tho first step is to educate the boys and girls, who, in the near future, will be taking our places. I would therefore ask the conference to again urge on the Education Board the necessity of jdoing something in the direction -jf es- , tablishiug small experimental plots in I different parts of the province "for the purpene of giving some practical instruction in agriculture and horticulture. The Nelson Board has been approached on two occasions on this matter. I would suggest that this conference should appoint a deputation to again wait on them in connection with this most important matter. There.is iUot the least doubt that the county | councils and boroughs would assist in a ; scheme that was going to be of practical value to the boys and girls of our : province.

# "It seems to me that during this '.time of stress it is a great pity"that J there should be such a thing as political strife to mar our otherwise unanimous feelings of loyalty to our King and country. . . .- I sincerely hope that when Parliament meets the country will demand a cessation of party bickerings and call for the' very best that the members are capable of." "The question of the incidence of taxation for war purposes will have to be faced sooner or later, as the country cannot go on indefinitely depending on voluntary subscriptions. Moreover, it is necessary for the Government, with the aid of the members of both sides of the House, to come to a decision as to how the necessary revenue is to be raised, so that those best able will be called upoii to pay. This question in itself is sufficient reason why the timehonoured, system of party government should bo suspended for the time being. "The Union in this district has, in conjunction with other parts of the Dominion, been mere or less active in assisting the Defence authorities in equipping and supplying fodder, etc., for the departing troops, and assisting the various funds for ilio alleviation ©i' distress caused by the war; and I hope that farmers jvill continue to respond to these worthy'ebjects. There is no doubt that we in New Zealand are living in a paradise; wo are getting record prices for all our staple products,1 and the Dominion as a whole is in a most flourishing condition—our exports are increased and our imports 'have decreased.: /.There certainly has been considerable, difficulty with regard tp refrigerated space, consequently fanners have not been able to take full advantage of the high prices ; but this will right itself in time. We should remember that those" who are feeling, and will feel, the pinch most, are the workers, -who are called upon to pay more for the necessaries of life, and have in means of recouping themselves.

"The various branches throughout the district have, with the assistance of ov.r Parliamentary representatives made ropros'entations to the Government on the various matters requiring attention kucli as roads and tracks to backblocks settlements, some of.which are, I am pleased to say, being attended to. The Korcre, Sherry and Stanley Brook branches have held two district conferences at Tapawera, both of which were well attended, and several matters of local and general importance were discussed, and representations made to the authorities concerned. These matters require to be followed up and further urged as needful to the interests of the district. I can confidently recommend tho continuation of such conferences in other parts of the province as^ the best means of getting the needs of the district attended to.

"The through booking of fruit and other produce by rail and sea sit a uniform rate is still in abeyance. It is now fire years since the Union first introduced the matter, and made representations to the Railway Department, and wore promised that something would be done to simplify the present expensive and cumbersome method of distributing mir"produce. I should like this question to go to tho Dominion Conference again this year. "In conclusion, I would like to exnross my sincere appreciation of the unfailing courtesy that has been extondpd to ne duriug "the time I have had the honour of being president of the Union, and ] sineo-ruly" hope that the good work that the "Union has been able to ;u-fnmn!i>li in tho past will be continued mm thi»t the membership will increase, us it .should, if farmers would only realise what a, valuable assistance the organisation would become to them with reasonable support.- I sincerely regret that owing to my, change of oc : t-upation, JL shall to1 o. certain extent l»!i.vo io rtJirtail I>y activities in connection wiUitho FaVmers' Union." But I

shall continue, to take a keeii interest m its welfare." On the motion of Messrs. Dodson and , lurner, the president was thanked for his address, which was ordered to*be printed. Tho balance-sheet, which showed a ado ted lt balance ' wos- rea^ ancl

; - EXPERIMENTAL FARM. th^El et\ en\?xlivesscd t]le opinion &P p?r G ac.res in IJl° Waimca. the farmers were to blame for not avail"oTicuftuS 1-8 fH* «erviceß°of fie agricultural mstruotor— i"th Q farmers the matt£ Uent be" aPP«>ached on This was seconded by Mr J. A Guv Mr Dodson suggested that the GV farm Tlamill S-*a«n an experimental Ji^?!! 0" Was embodied in the motion, and the amended motion cai-j REMITS. •On the motion of Mr EaWell, it was that the- Minister, for Public .Works oo asked to.survey a new road Mlf ? Stanle-v r Brook-Motueka Valley A remit from the Stanley Brook branch 'That all stock auctioneers in the district be asked to lower their commission rate to ;3 per cent, on live |!'to«k sold,-' was carried , Mr B. M Field moved a remit from «.he Po7edale branch that members of the Farmers' Union who are shareholders m the Nelson Freezing Company do their utmost to induce nonIshaivhokhns to take up shares; and that the union run a candidate for the ! directorate at the nexti annual meeting; of the company, such candidate to b& directly responsible to the union." Seconded by Mr Dod&on, and carried. Several members spoke of the benefit the farmers had received by enhanced values since the establishment of -the freezing wciks.

Mr Eatwell moved, "That the Go ve-rnment be asked to take some immediate action to stop the exploitation of Mie people of New Zealand in the matter of; necessities of life, which has been going on since the commencement ■of tho war, and b_y which a few are enriching themselves at the expense of the whole community." The mover said he did not propose to bring in politics^ but in his opinion the Food Cora-1 inyssion_ had donei nothing, while prices wQre still increasing. Secondeci by Mr Wilkinson Mr Bell said the biggest increases were on the articles produced by the farmer, and he was sure they would not like their prices regulated.' Pie did not think they should interfere too much. Tim motion was lost. Mr R. G. Tunnicliffo moved, t:That the Government be urged to throw open for selection all Crown lands as soon as surveyed." Seconded by Mr Bell, and carried ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were elected as follows:: — President, .Mr Walter Thorn;,.vice-pre-sident, Mr F. Whitwell; auditor, Mr T. Bell: representative to Dominion Conference, Mr F. Whitwell. On the president's motion it was resolved to again brintr under the notice of, the Minister ior Railways the through-booking scheme Other business having been trans-acted,-the meeting closed with a hearty vote of-thanks I>o the retiring pig^ident (Mr 1. Tunnicliffe). ~