FARMERS’ UNION

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19308, 8 October 1932, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION

TIMARU—ST. ANDREWS BRANCH.

A meeting of the Timaru—St. Andrews Branch of the Farmers’ Union was held yesterday afternoon. Present—Messrs W. J. Black (chairman), B. E. Evans, D. M. France, W. Smith, P. R. Talbot, W. Annett, J. J. Hall, D. Crosbie and the secretary (Mr A. L. Thoreau). Mr W. Smith, a new member, was welcomed by the chairman. The chairman said that so far the season had proved favourable. It seemed that the people were getting a little more optimistic, and in the speaker’s opinion a return of confidence would do more than anything else to bring about better times. In the meantime, farmers would have to

“plod along” as they were doing. The raising of price levels seemed to him to be the only cure of the farmers' difficulties, but that was a difficult matter. Representatives in conjunction with the Employers’ Association, had inspected the Boys’ Welfare League’s workshop, and he understood that there was a movement on foot to interest all sections of the community in the scheme. However, he had not been given any further information on the matter. Mr Black mentioned the meeting of farmers, which was to be addressed by the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. C. E. Macmillan), and he urged upon the meeting the necessity of all farmers attending the meeting. Mr P. R. Talbot outlined the arrangements made in connection with the meeting, and stressed the vital importance of the matters to be discussed. All would agree that those in charge had done their best to make the meeting known to the public. The secretary reported that the Timaru Technical College had not given up the idea of running a shearing class, but lack of entries was the present difficulty. The Principal was recommending the few who had applied to attend the Temuka class at present, but he was doing his best to start • a class at Timaru. Twelve students was the minimum number required, and there appeared no difficulty in obtaining the subsidy from the sheep-owners.—lt was decided to co-operate in obtaining students, and to suggest that, if the class was established at Pareora, probably a better supply of sheep and more students would be forthcoming. The sub-committee, appointed to consider remits from the Waimate Branch, reported that it could not support the proposals contained therein. The remits were as follows: “That the Government revalue all agricultural and pastoral lands on the basis of 1914 valuation,” and “that mortgages be written down to an amount not exceeding 80 per cent, of the new valuation.”—The action of the subcommittee was approved. The South Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union forwarded remits, received from the Temuka Branch, and the meeting dealt with them as follows:

“That in any future revaluations of land that re-valuation should correspond throughout the Dominion according to the productive capacity of the land, and that that re-valua-tion should be effected at regular and fixed periods.”—Supported. “That legislation be brought down limiting the amount of mortgage monies available for investment on any farm property, and that the tenure be more effectively stabilised by fixing a minimum period of occupancy, as far as is possible, on that property.”—Not supported. “That land tax. being a community tax, should be abolished.”—Not supported. “That private investment on farm lands should be encouraged by a comparative reduction on the tax on income derived from investment on agricultural and pastoral properties.”— Supported. “That all farm lands should be partially derated, and the petrol tax be called upon for the upkeep of certain roads, these to be classified.’’—Supported. “That the levy on farm land, for the support of hospital boards, should be substantially reduced.”—Supported. “That in all local body elections, equal franchise privileges should be extended to all sections of the community.”—Referred back for fuller information.

“That in relation to the actual value of capital to industry, interest rates are still unduly high, and should be still further reduced.”—Supported. “That this Branch of the Farmers’ Union is of the opinion that the Government should set an example by curtailing as far as is possible, expenditure on public buildings, and urges that plans and estimates for such buildings, should be subjected to the strictest scrutiny, and kept within the ability of the taxpayer to pay. (Note: Proposed Dunedin P.O.)”—-Supported. “That this Branch of the Farmers’ Union is definitely opposed to the suggested scrapping of harbours, as out- ■ lined by the chairman of the Rafil way’s' Board, and emphatically dej nounces the idea that a monopoly by I the Railways of transport facilities is Ithe solution of transport problems.”— j Supported. I The chairman mentioned that he ! had noticed that a veterinary surgeon I from Lincoln College had visited a j northern centre, and had given a | lecture on matters pertaining to stock. :He thought that a similar invitation

could be extended for the lecturer to visit South Canterbury districts. Farmers would thus gain much valuable information, that would eventually be shown in better breeding and handling of stock.—The matter was held over for future consideration. Mr B. E. Evans reported that the Women’s Division were endeavouring to arrange a lecture by the Rev. P. Gladstone Hughes on Navy League work at a future meeting, and it was suggested that the Branch of the Farmers’ Union should combine with the Women’s Division. —It was agreed to give support to the project.