CANTERBURY SHEEPOWNERS' UNION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15443, 4 September 1914, Page 9

CANTERBURY SHEEPOWNERS' UNION.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. A meeting of the General Committee of the Canterhurv Sheepowners' "Union was lickl on the Ist iust. Present— Mr L. C. Gardiner (President, m the chair), and Messrs H. T). Acland. J. Deans. R. 0. Dixon. C. H. Ensor, \\ . Hall, J). Rutherford, A. TV. Rutherford, junr., 15. Beth-Smith and F. H. I.sbutt (secretary). Apologies for ahr-enco were received from Messrs. M. l'.othell, T. S. Johnston. . I'. Parkinson, and T. Tc-schemaker. In reference* to tho increase made hy Shipping Companies in freights, it was stated that as* a meeting of the Farmers' Union and other bodies interested would be held on the 2nd inst., it would, be advisable to appoint delegates to tliat meeting. The President and Mr TV. Hall were appointed delegates to represent the Union at the meeting referred to. The question of the Government allowing one Canterbury firm to secure all the oat space in a troop ship to the detriment of all holders of other produce was discussed. The President stated that this, matter would probably be referred to at the meeting of the Farmers' Union and others convened to discuss the freight question. ,In regard' to Mr 'l'. D. Burnett's proposal submitted to the annual meeting when it was resolved that a subcommittee be-formed in South Canterbury to work in conjunction with the main committee, it was decided to suggest tho following as members of the suh-committe with power to -add to their numbnr jocally, viz., Messrs T. D. Burnett, G. Murray. F. H. Smith, MP. J. Withel! and B. Tripp (convener).

In reference to the request of Mr E. Short. Commissioner of Stock for the Panama Exposition, for the co-operation of sheepowners in exhibiting their stock at the Panama Exposition, it was decided to bring this mattar under the notice of the local advisory committee, and that Mr C. H. Elisor may be added to such committee. A letter was received from the New Zealand Sheepowners' and Farmers' Federation reporting the resr.lt of the shed hands' case heard before the Conciliation Council at Blenheim on the ISth lilt., .viz.:—''That the parties had agreed that the matter in dispute stand over till March IUI-j. and provided the parties weiv unable, to agree to the matters in dispute before that date, the dispute should be referred to the Arbitration Court for settlement.' 1

Tho President reported what steps had been taken by the Union in order to ascertain the quantity of stock sheepowners had suitable for freezing. The Ch.ri.stch urcli Meat- Company had offered to freeze- stock at their Burnside Works on owners' account, and allow for the difference in the railage from Islington. The Canterbury Frozen Meat Company had also decided to open their Belfast Works for slaughtering ant! freezing operations' on Thursday and Friday of this and next week, and lurther if sufficient .stock is offering. It was decided to write and thank the Freezing Companies for their action in th'.» matter.

I he annual levy at the rate of os per l(H)i) sheep was struck for tho ensuing year and made payable when the annual sheep returns are available. On the motion of Mr Duncan Ruth orfiM*cl it was decided to offer tli<? sum of ■6lO as a. prize foe Uio machine sheariiig' competition at the Metropolitan Agricultural and Pastoral Show to be bHd next November. The competition ts to be subject to the same conditionsas these of last year. A pplieatiouK were received from Technical Colleges for grants towards the .shearing classes conducted under their auspices. The committee decided to grant the sum of £25 to eacli of tlia fo'lowing bodies, viz.. Cliristehureh Technical College, Ashburton Technical Classes, Waimate Technical Classes, and the South Canterbury Branch of the Farmers' I liion. including T'ituaru and Temuka. Tho grants were made on the understanding that the conditions of |ast years*' grants were adhered to. The President stated that at the annual meeting a re solution had been passed requesting the Government to prepare a return of cattle in the Dominion on the same lines as tho annual return of sheep is prepared. A reply ha:! been received from the secretary of (he Department of Agrieuliure stating thai the re-organisation of the agriculural and pastoral statistics is at the present time under consideration, and that the siigaeifiori of the Union would bp considered.