FARMERS’ UNION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 170572, 4 August 1921, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION.

THE .DOMINIOIV con FERENCK.

At the monthly meeting of the youth Canterbury executive ot . me l’ ariners' bmon yesterday, the principal business was hearing the report oL tile two delegates to the Dominion Conference \il Wellington, Alessrs J. Cleland anil J. A. Paterson, on the duel' matters dealt with. There were present at the meeting Messrs J. Bitcheiier, M.l>. (president), ,J. A. Paterson, ,J. Cieiantl, J. hriuniui, G. Steven, A. Davison, J. Wright, C. Manchester, A. F. Campbell, W. J. Bassett J. Talbot, P. It Talbot. ,J. Trotter W. H. Orbcll, C. L. Oroell, J. Paterson, and \V. Hayman. The president welcomed new delegates, Mesrs P. It. Talbot and A. Davison, and then spoke of the Dominion Conference, at wiiicli he introduced the two South Canterbury delegates, who, he observed, attended very regularly and took their share in the discussions. Many of the 200 remits sent to the Conference were not reached. There was too much speecii-makiug, too muen repetition of tiie same ideas in different words, so tliat it would Have taken lour weens instead oi tour clays to get through the wlioie ot the agenda P„por. Ouine rule restricting mugim ui speeches aim the number of tunes a delegate may speak tas evidently needed. . .ur b'lehmtl spoke first. He said lie was much impressed luui tne suengin or the union in uie nurui lsnum, where it was muen better supported by larmcrs. He also eoiuxinunea ot waste ot time m talking, oume delegates seemed to timiß they should speak on every remit. Air bielanu ran tnrougli the agenda paper and read las notes made at the \_oniereiiee on remits of special interest to youth Cauteruury tanners, and some of the matters which were dismissed by the meeting later. Amongst others mentioned was a promise by xetr Flanagan, ValuerGeneral, that notice will be sent to a land-owner before a visit of the Government Valuator. Air Flanagan also explained that pre-war values were taken as a basis, and then the general movement of prices in the district was used, and this movement a good deal in different districts. The Government was urged by remits carried to reduce the taxation oil laud in view of the drop in farm produce values, to amend the, income tax on companies to relieve the small shareholder. Important discussions took placo oil the rise in interest, which was defended on the ground that if interest hud not been raised here money would have been sent out of the country to earn high interest elsewhere. A remit was carried that the Bank of New Zealand should allow interest on current accounts, and so minimise the practice of leaving money on deposit with companies and local bodies. After a discussion on tho question of making the Farmers’ Union a political 'body, notice of motion was given for next Conference to amond the rules in that direction. A set of remits dealt with a State-aided producer, shipping' company, and the subjejet, after much discussion was referred to the executive for further consideration. American Aleat Trusts, saving the South Island from the cattle tick which is now established in the North Island, and Nauru Island phosphate were dealt with. It was officially stated that the Nauru rock cost £2- 2s f.o.'b. at the island, and 81s at New Zealand ports, and New Zealand is to get 16 per cent. ol : the output. A member stated that Southland farmers were combining and buying 500-ton lots of rock and get- ; ting it ground at a local freezing works arid ground rock cost them £7 5s per ton. As a result of the election of Air Poison as president, and Captain Colbeck as vice-president, two j old members of the executive, the expresident and vice-president, who were ■ candidates for office were lost to the ! executive, aud to save this in future notice of motion was given that expresidents and vice-presidents shall for one year be members of the executive. 1 ivir Paterson, in a further report, 'stated that a proposal that a unuorin | sliding scale or subscription according to valuations, should be made universal, is to be submitted to all branches, .■southern Hawke’s Bay has a scale of IDs to £5, and though it is but a young branch has accumulated a large fund; second only to AVairarapa, whose maximum is £3. Air Trotter interposed- that a scale subscription would not bo approved in this district. .... • 1 i .*.l J.l. « _l. A i *, i' /no Ij.

The president said tne siuuug sun, seemed to be the rule in the N'oith Island. . Mr Paterson, continuing, said much, importance was attached by the Conference to coastal shipping rates which were ' conidered excessive on farm produce. The delegates were much interested in the accouunts given of the agricultural school classes m Taranaki, where competitions were held in various degrees single school, combined schools, and control, in root-growing, etc. This year colt-rearing was to be added. Tho Taranaki men seemed to he much pleased with the results, as tending to give the young an inteiest in farming pursuits and a love for country liie. , . The president, who also attended tho conference pretty regularly, told ot a discussion on tlio water-side labour problems. Mention was made ot a scheme recently put into operation m Wellington, but no one at the conlerence had any definite information about it. The Harbour Board were to retain a certain number of permanent men and a selected list of casuals, lie understood that this would only be tried at Wellington and Auckland; ana it was said that it could not be applied where tho railways were in charge ot the wharves. This, he thought, was one of the most important questions discussed hut unfortunately the Conference had no adequate information about it. , In replv to Mr Ox-bell. Mr Paterson «aid a Biil lias been announced dealing with arterial roads. The roads proposed are —Prom Kataia (north oi Auckland.) to Wellington, Wellington to Gisborne, Blenheim to Bluff, Blenheim via .Nelson to Hokitika. The funds are to be provided by t tyre tax, registration fees, and Government subsidy. The president said the most obnoxious of the original proposals —a, rate on laud had been omitted from the later proposal. , . . Mr Trotter spoke strongly against, farmers having to pay a tyre tax and registration lee to maintain special roads for pleasure parties in hugo cars, 'and making the farmers pay more .lor the railways, too, because of the loss ol long-distance passenger traffic by cars. Til® proposed roads would not benefit, farmers at all. Mr Orbell said the concrete «>ads ol California were recognised as a benefit to farmei’s, who would move their stun bv lorries cheaper-than by rad. “Mr Trotter repeated bis protest amiinst being required to pay lor Ins own roads and ior roads elsewhere also. Mr Paterson mentioned a discussion on the rabbit question and prosecutions under the Act. It was explained that the original Act iwas considered harsh, tho clause disapproved of was struck out, and immediately the rabbits began to increase. Mr Nosworthy reintroduced tho clause, with a proviso that a prosecution must lie agreed to by two inspectors instead of one.. Tho question of combining into 0110 big, union tho Farmers’, Sheopowners’, aticl Dairymen’s Unions, and tho Agricultural Associations, was ono of tho items discussed, at the conference-, the.

1 president slated. Some of ihe members ' did not favour it. louring tliat the , l , 'armers’ Union would he overborne by | the business men who are strong in A. ! and I’. Associations. On the oilier , hand it was argued that ihe strong association ref resuming all producers would have much influence with the Government, iwhile experience had shown that the several associations now had very little .influence. The Dominion Executive would probably refer tnis question to all the branches. Air J. Talbot said his idea, was not one big union, but a federation of all producers’ organisations.. All primary producers had like interests. A. and P. Associations were not producers. The Farmers' Union made proposals again and again to tho Government, and nothing was done. He hoped that the proposal for amalgamation would not be sent to tho branches without full information. Air Orbcll said this subject was dealt with by the A. and P. Association last week. It iwas pointed out that the A. and P. Association met one week and the Fanners’ Union the next week, and passed the same ineffective resolutions. Air Tripp gave the Association some information about a Producers’ Association in America, which promised to havo great influence in securing the farmers a fair deal. It seemed to be this Association which in the interests of farmers had blocked New Zealand meat and checked those of wool. Air Tripp had written for further information regarding the Association. Air Orbell suggested that Air Tripp be invited to address the executive on the subject, and this was promptly approved. Mr J. Talbot said they should hold the next meeting at an early date to consider the Government’s attitude regarding the now-groiwing wheat crop and the next one. It was stated that this year tho area under wheat was largely increased, and if they had a good yield there would be a surplus. What would happen in F'ebruary next in that case? The millers would only buy from hand to mouth, and pick the eyes out of the offerings. ' Air Trotter said the bargain as gazetted differed from the last one. The Government’s price was to be “tho world’s parity of prices,” and the Goiveriiment would have to say what that 1 parity was. Air Steven moved a vote of thanks Ho the delegates to the conference. He considered that the two main matters were shipping and interest. It was shameful that 25 years ago the country saved the Bank of New Zealand from absolute ruin, and now T they not only pay no interest on current account but charge 10s a year for looking after it.— The motion was carried. Tho president remarked that some people thought, the Farmers’ Union did nothing. He mentioned in refutation of this idea that- the Farmers’ Union fought a case in tho Arbitration Court for the dairy companies that had a Dominion importance, and fought it successfully. . The farmers of the North Island were keen supporters of the Union. In some districts of Auckland every farmer was a member, and that was the case also in Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay. The meeting then closed, after deciding to meet next on September 7, and to invite Air Tripp to attend the meeting.