FARMERS’ UNION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 22 January 1927, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION.

COMBINED BRANCH

MEETING JN TIMARU YESTERDAY

The monthly meeting of the TiiuarijSt. Andrews branch of the New Zealand Partners’ Union was held yesterday. Present—Messrs P. R. Talbot (chairman), \Y. Ji. S. Jones, D. T. McPhedran, C McPhedran, W. H. Orbed, D. M. I’Tanco, \V. Annott, C. L. Orbell, P. Porter, L. G. Smith, Pi porter, J. J. Hall, J. Mellwrick, A. ■Ward, L. Douke, L. B. Purvis anil \v. Black.

REBATE ON MANURE. The Canterbury Erozon Meat Co. wrote stating that uu lo eighteen months ago, they allowed farmers a

rebate of o per cent on sutler phosphate as well as incur own manures, nut about that time tile company received an

ultimatum from tlie .South Isianu manufacturers of super piiospuaies, mat. unless they discontinued this rebate to farmers, they would not supply them with any further super. 'mo manufacturer:! also atlvised that the only discount they could allow farmers was the usual Iff per cent. In the face of that demand, they had no option but to cancel tlte rebate on suporpucspate, as otherwise they would have to cut out supplies, as it was impossible to import super to compete against those people, and if a shipment of Japanese super was landed taut day, they would drop the price of the local manufacture, amt the imported manure would be left on me company’s hands at a heavy loss. This action on the part of the local manufacturers had caused a great deal of dissatisfaction throughout the farming community m Canterbury, and strong protests had been made, but without avail. They understood the price voiy,super had been fixed 311 conjunction With the Government, who arranged for the importation into Canterbury of tin raw article—the Ngauru phosphate, which was manufactured into super phosphate at Hornby. They regretted that the rebate had to be cut out, but it was no fault of theirs. Mr Jones said there was a difference it. the price of manure in the North and South Islands, it having dropped £1 in the North, while the, southern price remained the same. The price was £5 2s Gd in the North and £6 3s Gel m the South. North Island first, South island seconds concluded Mr. Jones. " The chairman said that judging by Urn Tetter, there was a good deal of dissatisfaction in fanning circles. Mr Porter was of opinion that the I difference in the prices between the two Islands should be brought under the notice of the Minister of Agriculture. The chairman thought it would be advisable to communicate with local merchants first, to ascertain whether the price was likely to come down. There was a great deal of dissatisfaction by the companies, and a drop, might result. Mr C. L. Obeli suggested that the Government .should be advised of the difference in prices between the Noith and South. : _ r , Mr Orbell moved and Mr Maid seconded a motion ■ to this effect, ana it was carried. . . The Department of Immigration, Wellington, advised that a number of experience farm hands would be anivlnf Ijv vessels duo on or about trie following dates: Pakeba January 28, Rinnitaka "February h lonic lebruary 7. Included among these farm labourers were several married couples. .it would be appreciated-if tliis information could be made known to farmers, ant to advise them to forward any applications fo r labour to the Department,

'They should state the class of labour requi’/cd, and the wages offered. Mr Prance said it was omy a fair thing that if the immigrants were arriving in New Zealand, something should be done. The chairman said that if farmers wanted married couples, they could notify the secretary of the branch. .Mr W. H Orbell said that if the Government were, going to discourage wheat-growing, the farmers could not absorb the labour, as had been the case in the past. . T, rj The following motion, moved by JVIJ Orbed, was carried . —“That the Government be advised that while appreciating what has been done in the past, "his branch is of opinion that on at count of the Government 3 attitude iu discouraging wheat growing as nen-c.-s.mtia!, this makes it difficult to ctsorb these farm labourers.”-