FARMERS’ UNION AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1929, Page 15

FARMERS’ UNION AFFAIRS

SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT NORTH TARANAKI EXECUTIVE. f *1 GENERAL BUSINESS CONDUCTED. A meeting of the executive of the North Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held in New Plymouth yesterday. Present: Messrs. H.*E. Blvde (chairman), G. J. Harris, E. Marfcll, W. Maloney, Whittaker, A. B. Sutton, J. F. Phillips, H. Hunt, Benoni White, R. B. Dunn, ,J. Paulger, A. M. Allen, M. Nolan, S. Vickers and H. R. Marsh. The Otago Provincial Council wrote that it had received the North Taranaki executive’s resolution supporting 'Mr. Polson and had passed another of similar effect, which had been sent to the Dominion executive. The Southland provincial branch stated that a discussion had arisen at its executive meeting on September 21 which centred on a remit from one of the brandies suggesting that Mr. Polson should be asked to resign in view of the fact that he was holding dual capacity positions, which in the branch’s opinion was not satisfactory to the union. The remit had been withdrawn, however, and no action taken. The concensus of opinion at the meeting of 30 delegates was that Mr. Polson had done invaluable services for the union in the past and was still prepared to use his best efforts on behalf of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. It was very satisfactory to find that through the Dominion the Farmers’ Union, with, the exception perhaps of ofie or two isolated.cases, w : as heart and soul behind its president, contrary to the idea so widely > circulated* *in the Press, said : Mr. Blyde. The Minister of Agriculture wrote that he was unable to accede to the executive’s request asking for the introduction of legislation to provide that all grass-seed should be coloured. He considered that it would be impracticable to have all tlie grass-seed used in the Dominion stained a distinctive colour e.ach year. He pointed out that the department was willing to assist farmers to secure seed of good germination and to that end it undertook to test samples of grass-seed for farmers free of charge. He suggested that farmers should make a point of purchasing only seed of guaranteed germination. The Minister stated the recommendation of the North Taranaki executive that additions should be made to the research staff to inquire into diseases of farm stock had been noted and would be given due consideration. • A remit was received from the Stratford sub-provincial executive as folloivs: That in view of the fact that the fellmongers’ and tanners’ associations: are asking for an export duty of 2d per lb on all wool for scouring and raw hides leaving the Dominion, this executive enters a strong protest against the imposition of any export duty whatsoever being placed on wool, hides or any other primary product produced in this country, being convinced that such duties would create hardship besides retarding land settlement and production. It was decided to forward the remit to the Dominion executive. The North Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute wrote that the branch considered a change of school holiday dates was not desirable. The branch was of opinion that the advantages of uniformity of dates through the Dominion outweighed any advantages which might result from a change. A draft of the Meat Export Control Amendment Bill to be introduced by Mr. W. D. Lysnar in the House of Representatives was forwarded for examination. The Bill, explained the secretary, aimed at preventing the acquisition of freezing works by companies outside New Zealand and at effecting the sale of those freezing works at present _ owned by outside companies. The meeting endorsed the general principle of the Bill and decided to leave action to the next meeting of the Dominion executive. The Clifton County Council notified that it was unable to hold in abeyance the by-law regulating heavy traffic during the winter months to allow of The transport of cream, manures, etc., ovei the by-roads. The council thought it would be adverse to the best interests of the majority of ratepayers to allow heavy traffic to break up the by-roads at this season of the year. The Auckland Unemployed Association asked for information regarding the number of workers required by the various members of the branch, the nature of the -work, the wages to be paid and the accommodation available. A resolution was passed that the ’Department of Agriculture should be urged to make an analysis of every imported manure from shipside samples and make public the analysis. Notice of motion was given by Mr. Benoni White that “it is the opinion of this meeting that all endeavours should be made that all State departments concerned should co-ordinate to facilitate, simplify and expedite and eeoonmise in all transactions connected with land.”