FARMERS' UNION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 5823, 29 May 1909, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

NORTH CANTERBURY BRANCH. CHRISTOIIURCII, May 27. The animal provincial conference of the North Canterbury District of the New Zealand Farmers' Union opened to-day. JL'he president, in moving the adoption of the annual report and , balance-sheet, said that during the j past year the work of the union had : been "progressing satisfactorily, audi there had been an increase in the membership. There had been a record harvest in Canterbury, almost in .New Zealand, and it was satisfactory to I know that they had been abb to gather it under old conditions. .Probably a larger area would have been sown if there had not existed uncertainly on this point rcjjardii'.jj the farm labourers dispute. He expressed the opinion that the farmers and the majority of the workers recognised the wisdom of 'the Court's decision. Thouuii they had had a plentiful year it had not, in the majority of instances, been a financially successful one for farmers. The wheat grower was undoubtedly this year in an exceptionally trood position, but when they considered the statu of the oats and meat markets, they recognised (hat men on the lighter class of sod had not had a irood year. Th« meat market had been n a stagnant condition for some time, anil the export trade of lamb was beiiur threatened by the Argentine, liVtrarditie; the 'Argentine competition in the lamb trade, he said that the increased export from the Areenliiie seemed to indicate thai the New Zealand fanner would have to bo satislied to accept lower prices. In (he face of the keener competition, (he New Zealand farmer would have (o look more to the- quality of his lambs than lie has done in the past. The drafting of lambs sent to the public saleyards was not satisfactory, and they were seudiiur away too many second class lambs. After reference to the necessity of dealing with the turnip blight in order that the carrying eapacitv of the liu'hter lambs should not be decreased, Mr Jones referred to financial matters, and said that men who had to renew their eneanements had been unable to do so with the same ease oi> on the same easy terms as in the previous years. Public and private expenditure had been in the past on altogether too larcc asenle. The way in which the monetary striuuenev miirht brinir ijood was in the direction of steadying land values. The profits made out of land speculation had L'ivcn the p.ublic an idea that immense prolits were- beh:ir made out of farmin'j'. but he was satislied that the money made out of bona fide farming had not been excessive. In Canterbury speculation in laud had fonvd (lie values up too hiirh in most iustancea.

The question of Dominion Defence was considered and the following molion carried :—"That the members of (his conference recommend (lie Government to take all necessary steps to improve t hi; system of internal defence of the Dominion, by means of some M-lieme of universal military (rai/iiiiL' up to -_>| wins of aire" Re charitable, aid relief, ij. was decided that each dis(Hc( should maintain its own poof.