NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14407, 18 May 1917, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

NELSON DISTRICT CONFERENCE

The annual conference of the Nelson Provincial District Farmers' Union took place at the Institute' yesterday. Present: The president (Mr W. Thorn) v\ the chair j Messrs. F. WhitwoH (vice-president), W. D. Harkness (lion, secretary and treasurer), C. P. Hugonin (Kohatii), B. M. Field (Thorpe), X, B. Goodall (Tadmor), George Dodson (Atawhai), R. H. Turner (Redwood's Valley), G. L. Mead (Motupiko), E. W. Frost (Wakapuaka), A. Wilkinson (Stanley Brook), G. Winter (Takaka), members of the executive, and the following delegates: Messrs C. Fenemor and J. Eatwell (Stanley Brook),«A. Drummond >Matariki), J. Thorn (Dovedale), R. C. Withers (Wakapuaka), H. T. Cook (Waimea), G. Macmahon (KorereMotujiiko), J. G. Page and Nielsen (Jakaka), and R. O'Connor (Mairchison). Mr. R. P. Hudson, M.P., was also present by invitation. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. • The president, in tis address, said he was glad to report an increase in the membership of the union- in this district, and that much keener interest was being taken than previously. Ihe Executive Committee had met at lapawera and Takaka. At tfce former place it was decided to form a company to work the lime deposing at Kaka, which it was hoped would' benefit the farmers. During the year quite a number of matters had been dealt with by the union. As the result of their efforts in conjunction witb others Nelson had been declared a valuing port for woo], which was of great advantage to the farmers. The meat trust, which ■k as such a menace to the community was also considered by the union.' Several resolutions were passed by the union, but be did not Itnow whatf action had been taken, except that the matter had been placed before the Inme Minister. He was quite convinced that if the trust did the same m INew Zealand as it did in the Uniteel btates and the Argentine it would be a sorry day for the Dominion If tire trust could be broken down it would be a good thing for the country. _ At the request of the National Board a committee of advice has been formed, but so far very little nacr been done. Reference was also made to the steps taken by the Minister of Agriculture to secure an adequato supply of .wheat for the Dominion There was mucl: that farmers could do tf they combined, but so long as they failed to work together they would be at a disadvantage. Other organisations worked together for their benent, and there was no reason why farm-' ers should not do tte same. Mr Thorn then read the demands of the \ p ft which he said would have a serious ettoct on farmers if they.were granted Mr R p. Hudson, M.P., briefly c x l pressed his pleasure at being present, and said he tad not come prepared to make a speech, but would be pleased to give nis opinions on any matters that might be brought forward. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the President of the Marlborough Farmers' Union suggesting the formation of a producers' shipping company witt a capital of £5,000,000. The chairman said the Dominion executive had formed a strong committee to consider the proposal. Several speakers favoured the proposal, and it was resolved that a committee consisting of the President,. Mr fl. 1. Cook, and the secretary be appointed to frame a resolution to be forwarded to the Marlborougb Farmers' Union expressing the views of the conierence. . ■■ The secretary of the Wairarapa Patriotic Society forwarded a series of resolutions suggesting that the Government be urged to immediately provide improved and for returned Soldier? *L f lf S>" table land ™s not7fl ■fered for purchas voh;ntaril entire recommended that war regulations be provided for tire purpose of acquiring the land.—Received _On resuming after lunch, Mr T. A tion '' ' WaS present by'invital GEN TEE.4L. Several remits from the Matanki oranch were considered. After discussion,, it was resolved on hi™ I?" r -Drammond, seconded by Mr Mead, that it be a recommendation to the executive that the presi-' dent and the vice-president visit ail the branches in the provincial district at least once a year. "; as (Messrs Drummond and Macmahon) that the Government be asked to abolish the taxation of farmers oil-engines other than those us«d ior hire. A remit that .the Public Works Department be urged to speedily ereH the cart bridge over Tadmor river, and f^S ut\^rg^iS^ had.-brought pressure-to bear uf the TOer quarters,, andthe position wa^ nnvf tilC + C(mtraCt WflS let' but the J>ewllthewS^^ tO makG a s^6 The remit was carried. THE MEAT INDUSTRY.. The following 'remit by the KorereiVlotupiko braucJi was moved by Mr nond iiiat a hew Zealand meat distribution board be appointed in London under the supervision of the Hi >h Commissioner or a Trade Commissio^. appoin ed f ol - t« le p U - rpoße to tJic sale and distribution of i\h meat exported irom the Dominion through appointed agents, at reasonable ra£s <"Ju c ™nsu x f ev > f so as to effectually con bus the M^eat Trust monoply." Mr ii. M. .fc'ield considered that all meat ex po ,ted from v the Donumcn siiould go through the meat distributing board. Mr O'Connor said that after the w-r----there would probably be other European markets than Great Britain md iic asked if it was intended that' Lhe l>oard should control those.' Mr Whitwell pointed out that the board m London would control al[ me-t exported from i\e,w Zealand, irrespective of the markets to .which it was to be sent.

Mr MaciPahon, m reply, said that the Meat Jrusr, already had a hold in New Zealand, and unless the Go~,-ei--nmfmt obtained control farmers wo-.ild. not get satisfactory prices for their stock. ri Mr Hudson, M.P.,- said the Meat Trust had no control outside. New Zealand. At the present time all meat was purchased by the Imperial authorities. "What would happen after the war was quite a different thing. Mr Hudson read a -telegram received i>y him from the Acting- Prime Minister, stating that the Meat Trust had-been dissolved by the United States Gov*rnmeut, and the companies were operating independently, one in New Zealand. The Acting-PrimV Minister stated that the -whole position was receiving the very careful consideration of the Go- ■>.'■■' ' : ■

vernment. /- The Prime Minister Intend ' edto go fully into the matter while in England. - ' . Mr Field, M.P., endorsed Mr Hud-! son's remarks, and said the farmers: should keep the matter before the Government, so thattho American Trusc could not obtain control of the NewZealand output. The remit was then carried unanimously. , ' COUNTY RATES. • Mi- Fenemor (Stanley Brook) moved that the Provincial Executive bring before the" Waimea Oountv Council" the matter of readjustment of rates on the new valuation. The mover said that the new- valuations were higher consequently their rates would, be hioheV and he thought they should be reduced. ■ Mr Wilkinson said that ho did not thmk trie rates should be raised at the present time, as the money could be more profitably expended in the employment of labour on their farms. A remit from Dovedalo that the Waimea County Council 'be requested to reduce the rates when the new valuation comes in force, was considered at the same time. Mr B. M. Field contendod that there was no nec&ssity to-....increase the amount of rates collected at the present time. He charged the Council with extravagant expenditure on mam roads and neglect of roads 'to backblocks. Mr Macmahon said the new valuations were.nearly double the present ones, bub he did not think it was intended to raise double the money by way of rates. ' Mr Dodson thought that the Council paid too much attention to motor traffic. Mr Page said he did not think, that, because the valuations were increased, more money would be collected in rates. In hi 3 county, the Council reduced the rates to ..bring in an equivalent to what was brought in under the old valuation. The remits were carried. OTHER HEM ITS. The conference unanimously affirmed a remit from Murehison district that* agricultural and pastoral shows should1 be continued during the currency of the war. A remit by the Murchison branch in regard to fixing a standard price, according to quality, of all corn and seed sacks, supplied to farmers, ivas withdrawn after discussion, several speakers considering that it was a matter between buyer and seller. In moving that the Provincial Conference use its best endeavours to briny before the Nelson Freezing Company the absolute necessity for the oornpariy to fellmonger all sheep and lamb skins slaughtered at the works, M.r Cook said that many . farmers ■folt that they woro losing money through the skins not being" fellmongered a.£ the works. / Mr Whitwell seconded pro forma. Mr Macmahon said that, the company being :i co-oper-itive one, it was decided that shareholders should be allowed to deal with the skins just as they The matter had 'been placed before the directors, but, owing to the lateness of the season, nothing was done. It was, however, receiving consideration. The position had only \ i arisen this season, through the Governi ment purchasing the.' whole output of ■ skins. .• j

The motion was lost on the voices

Ou behalf of the Waimoa branch, Mr Cook moved the following motion:— "That the Provincial Conference urge on the Government the wisdom of their harnessing up, say, the Kotoroa River . for an electrical power to run ;the railway, especially as coal jis becoming such an uncertain quanjtity." .The mover' thought that, if it jwere possible. to electrify the railway, it would be a good tiling in 'view of the present position in regard to coalminers. !In seconding-the motion, Mr O'Oonnoy said the river was eminently suitiible for harnessing, there-being" a-fall"----iof 300 ft in 6£ miles, while the banks ■ were rockbound and there was a' lake ; 9 miles long and 3 miles: wide at the top end. .-'Messrs ■■Field end- Hudson, M.P.'s, agreed • thjit no harm would bo done in bringing the matter under the notice of the Government, although nothing would be cione during the war. The tendency all over the world at the present time was to use electricity. A remit by the Dovedale branch,! moved by Mr B. M. Field, that a! committee be set up to get a general experimental farm in Nelson province, was carried, after somo discussion. Members spoke . favourably of the experimental work caried cut at tbo Government farms. The committee was constituted as follows:—The president j Messrs-H. T. Cook, B. M Meld F* VVJutwell, and A. Drummond. * ! Mr B. M. Field (Dovedale) moved,! lhat steps be .taken 'to bring l>e-i fore the. local bodies controlling ttcl public roads in Nelson the dangers that the general travelling public incur by i the reckless driving of motor cars and cycles; that it be a recommendation that the body controlling.all dangerous turnings on;-hills-and other places, such as river roads, put un notices for the ' drivers to reduce their speed to 10 miles an hour;; and that step's be taken to-les-sen the dangers of motor traffic on country : roads, especially as regards dazzling headlights and" excessive j speed." . j Mr Goqlv seconded tho motion, which iv.-as carried. Both speakers spoke! strongly against dazzling headlights on j motor cars. . " Mr ,W.hitwell (Wakapuaka) moved, "lhat steps should be taken by the1 Government to note all farms' the owners of which have lost their lives in tie service of the Empire, and that returned soldiers should ~bo given tho opportunity of: acquiring them without going through the hands of the speculator." This was seconded by Mr Withers, and carried. ELECT [ON OF OFFICERS. The election of officers was then-pro-ceeded with and resulted as follows:— President, Mr W. Thorn (re-elected); vice-president, Mr. F. Whitwell (reelected); lion, treasurer, Mi- W. !>. i Harkness (re-elected); auditor. Mr K. Goodall (re-elected); executive commit|tee, Messrs C. P. Hugomn (Tapawera), G. L. Mead (Motupiko), B. M. Field (Doyedale), J. Jordan (Stanley Brook), jG. Dodspn (Wakapuaka). E. TV. Frost (Wakapuaka), Alf. -Wilkinson (Stanley Krook),.K.. Goodall (Tadmor). J. Thorn CDovedale), H. T. Cook (Applebv), and J. G. Page (Takaka). The ])residont and vicc-presidenfa wore appointed to represent the "Nelson district at the Dominion Conference. 'The conference closed with a, vote of thanks to tho chairman.'