FARMERS' UNION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13915, 28 May 1909, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

NORTH CANTERBURY BRANCH. Per Press Association. CRRISTCHUKCH, May 27. The annual provincial conference of the North Canterbury District of the New Zealand farmers' Lnion opened to-day. The president in moving the adoption of the annual report and balancesheet said that during the past year the work of the union had been progressing satisfactorily and there had been an increase in the membership. There had been a record harvest 111 Canterbury, almost in New Zealand, and it was satisfactory to know that they had been able to gather it under old conditions. Probably a larger area would have been sown if there had not existed uncertainty on this point regarding the farm labourers dispute. He expressed the opinion that the farmers and the majority of workers reconnised the wisdom of the Court's decision. Though they had had a plentiful year it had not in the majority of instances been a financially successful <ne for farmers. The wheat grower was undoubtedly this year in an exceptionally <iood |>osition. but when tliey considered the state of the oats and meat markets they recognised that men on the lighter class of soil had not had a good year. The meat market had been in a stagnant condition for some time and the export trade in lamb was being threatened by the Argentine. Regarding the Argentine competition in the lamb trade he said that the increased export from the Argentine seemed to indicate that the New Zealand farmer would have to be satisfied to accept lower prices, in the face of the keener competition the New Zealand farmer would have to look more to the quality of his lambs than he has done in the past. The drafting of lambs sent to the public saleyards was not satisfactory and they were sending away too many second class lambs. After reference to the necessity of dealing with the turnip blight in order that the carrying capacity of the lighter lands should not be decreased. Mr -Tones referred to financial matters, and said that men ■who had to renew their engagements had been unable to do so with the same ease or 011 the same easv term* in the previous years. Public and private expenditure had been 111 the l>ast on altogether too large a scale. The way in which the monetary stringency might bring good was in the direction of steadying land value*. The nrotits made out of land speculation bad given the public an idea that immense profits were being made out of farming, but- hj" was satisfied that the money made out of l>nna fide i-mnm'-i bad not been excessive. In (anterbury speculation in land bad forced the values up ton high in most iiist-mec«. The question of Dominion Defence was considered and the following motion carried: —"That the of this conference recommend the Government to take all necessary >tcps to improve the svstem of internal defence of the Dominion by meai>< of some scheme «•»' universal training up to *2l vear-t ot »>•<•. lie charitable aid relief it de<*|d"d that i-ach district should maintain its own i>oor.