N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 10343, 15 January 1929, Page 2

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

SOUTH CANTERBURY EXECUTIVE The first meeting in the new year of the South Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held on Friday afternoon. Present: Messrs J. Bitchener, M.P. (chairman), J. Trotter, J. AlcCort, A. J. Davey, A. F. Campbell, J. Stowell, AV. B. S. Jones, S. J. Bailey, H. W. Hewson, C. Ley, and J. A. Paterson. The chairman said that at the last meeting mention had been made of a conference of local bodies of South Canterbury and Mid-Can-terbury, regarding hospital fees, and this would be held in Ashburton early in March. The Executive would probably not meet again before Marcli, and at that meeting the result of the conference would be made known.

The chairman also acknowledged Mr McCort’s expression of appreciation of a message of sympathy in liis recent illness. He said that lie was glad to see Mr McCort getting about again. PRICE OF SUPERPHOSPHATES. In reply to a letter from the Executive regarding the price of superphosphates, the Hom G. W. Forbes (Minister of Agriculture) stated that he would lie glad io discuss the matter with his colleague, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, and would communicate with the Executive again after the holidays. The secretary said that the matter was still a serious one. He had communicated with the Minister for a reply for that meeting, but none had come to hand. The chairman said that the Minister would not commit himself in any way. MEMBERSHIP LADDER. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union forwarded a membership ladder for 1928, which showed Auckland as having 1937 members, Otago 1243, and Southland 1020. The total Dominion membership was 8402. South Canterbury’s total was 550, the district being fifth on the ladder. DISCOUNT ON MANURES. The secretary of the Geraldine branch wrote in reference to discounts on manures. The branch asked for the Executive’s assistance in obtaining the same concession from other companies as they had received from the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company. This company allowed a five per cent, special discount at the end of the season over and above the ordinary cash discounts. The secretary said that no one got any discount on plain superphosphates. After brief discussion, it was decided to communicate with the New Zealand Refrigerating Company and Kempthorne Prosser and Co., asking if a concession could be granted. CASH ORDER SYSTEM. The secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union wrote stating that he was placing the following remit on the agenda for the next Dominion Executive meeting: “That the Minister of Industries and Commerce be asked to appoint a commission or committee at an early date to investigate the system of cash order trading, and to report as to any legislative or other action considered necessary.” The remit was briefly discussed, the Executive deciding to support it.