FARMERS' UNION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12636, 22 May 1919, Page 6

FARMERS' UNION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. TO-DAY’S PROCEEDINGS. Tho annual provincial conference of the North Gauterbury district of the Now Zealand Farmers’ Union was opened in the hoard room of the Norn Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Association this morning. Tho president. (Mr David Jones) occupied the chair, and tho following delegates wore present:— Messrs 0. W. Headley (Dominion .Executive), 1> Hates (Central Branch). K. Kippenborgor (Oxford), Heaven (Waiati), IT. M’lntosh and J. W. Honey (Kaiapoi), J Brown and P. Gallagher (Ashburton), H. W. .Johnson (Dunsandcl), J, L. Ctdleu (Malvern), B. H. Bailey (Loburn), 11. Oliver (Hororata), AV. T. Street (Aylesbury), W. AV._Mulhollnnd (Darlicld), G. Sheat, (Killinohy), T. Leech (Raugiora), J. T. Henley (Springston), W, Bailey (Templeton), I). J. Doak (Omihi), and U. Evan a (North Canterbury Executive). An apology was received for tho absence of Air D. Shaw (Lowclillo). Tho president, Air D Jones, in his address, expressed satisfaction at tho conclusion of tho war. Referring to the season, Mr Jones said that from tho farmer's point of view it had been a good one, especially for wheat growers. Some difficulty had been experienced in. disposing of the wheat, partly owing to tho good yields and a serious shortage of waggons, due largely, he believed, to tho fact that the Government had partly suspended construction during the war- A farmer had recentlytold him that a good grain season was seldom a good grass season. Ho did nor know whether that war, correct, but the present season had been a poor onci for grass, and the rape and turnip crops had been Flighty and inferior. The Government experts had made exhaustive experiments in the growing of lucerne, and the experiments had been very valuable inasmuch as they proved that lucerne could not bo considered a commercial success on the great bulk of Canterbury land. Referring to tho necessity of a State farm for Canterbury Air Jones said that the Government and the Press were continually pointing out tho need for increased production to help pay the cost of tho war, yet in. Canterbury they could not obtain the assistance that was justly theirs, while tho North Island had several State farms; all that Canterbury had was a long-delayed promise. The executive had recently waited noon the Board of Governors of Canterbury College and urged upon them the necessity for establishing a Chair of Agriculture at tho College. The suggestion had boon favourably- received, and there were gootl prospects of the request, being granted. There were suggestions abroad in favour of making a _ forward movo to bring immigrants into tho country. He hoped the union would movo very cautiously in the matter. They needed a larger population in tho Dominion, but he was strongly opposed to spending their money, in subsidising shipping companies to bring out, at nominal fares, the discontents and roving folk. With reference, to tho frozen meat trade, the speaker said that during the year tho contract for the purchase of all the. export beef, mutton and lamb by the Imperial authorities was extended until June 3.0, 1920. Tho wisdom of this.was questioned by mamfarmers, but events had proved it to be. sound business on the part of the producers. The president’s address concluded amidst applause. AIT G. W. Leadley moved a very hearty vote of thanks to Air Jones for his very fine address. Air Kippenbcrger seconded the motion. Air R. Evans said no one had any idea- of the work that had been done by their president during the past three years. The question for them all was : Were they doing their duty towards their country and their. fellow-men? The motion was carried by acclamation. Air Leadley said this was not only an appreciation of the address, hut of Mr Jones’s efforts for the union work. Air Jones, in reply, said his work for the farming community had been done in the spirit in which it should be done. The statement of receipts hud expenditure showed, a satisfactory financial position. FROZEN MEAT. The following remit was received from the Ashburton branch: “That the proposal of tho North Canterbury Provisional Executive, that all storage space in the freezing works be taken over by tho Government at once, and held under its control in the interests of producers until the expiry of the present meat contract with the Imperial Government, be endorsed.” As it was considered that discussion! of this remit in open conference Plight cause members who had confidential knowledge to hesitate about giving expression to it, tho conference resolved to go into committee. MEAT PURCHASES. Tho next two remits taken were one by Dunsandcl—“ That the Dominion, executive be instructed, and insist, that the whole of the meat purchased by tbe Imperial Government up to the end of June 30, 1920, be removed before tho beginning of the 1920 and 1921 season; otherwise the interests of the- producers may be seriously affected”; and one by Omihi —“ That the Government be urged to provide sufficient ships to dedr our stores by December 31, 1920.” Air Jones, in moving the remits, said' that so far as ho could gather then\ were 9,000,000 running carcases of mutton and lamb in the freezing works in Now Zealand. The position was that unless there was a change in the position they might start their free market with a large amount of meat in store. The large number of ships promised to relieve tile congestion had not materialised. It was only fail for them to have the factories as clear for trade as when the contract was entered into. Unless the factories were clear then meat might be held in New Zealand for close upon a year. From every point of view a farmer’s interest was to see that those freezing works were cleared so as to give them a clear start in their 192-11 season. Air Doak seconded the motion. Air Alulholland thought that every member should .stand up and say eniJ phaticn.lly that the meat- must Let cleared- There was no need t.o laboirff the point. It would take nine months to clear the stores. The motion was carried. VZJOL SALK PRICES. Air Doak (Omihi) moved the remit—• “That the average prices ,q£ Now Zealand wools sold in Loudon bo published in New Zealand papers.” They should bo given some idea of the prices. _ Air R- Evans said the only information given at present was by circulars from Home houses. He seconded tho motion pro fornla. Air Kippenborgor said it would not hurt the Government to ask the Commissioner to send out prices Unit could be published. The motion was published. RAILAVAV ROLLING STOCK. A Darlicld 'remit;--" That steps be taken to inquire into and remedy the existing shortage of railway rolling stock”--was moved by Mr Oliver. Ho said that in some grain-growing districts there w'as great hardship through grain lying in the paddocks. In seconding the motion Mr Street said that he had sold his. grain on -March 15, but it was not till this mouth he had got it trucked. Air Sheat said that he did uot know whether tha railway and the millers were in collusion, hut it seemed as if the millers did not want the wheat. The Government had bought their wheat, practically a war measure, and now they would not take it. It was manifestly unfair, when the wheat had been grown at tho solicitation of the Government, no means wore being taken to clear it. Then there, was the financial aspect from the farmers’ point of