FARMERS’ UNION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 May 1939, Page 9

FARMERS’ UNION

END OF INTER’PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE THE ISSUE OF COMPULSORY UNIONISM. DELEGATES TO THE DOMINION EXECUTIVE. The annual Inter-Provincial Conference of- the Farmers’ Union concluded its deliberations in Masterton yesterday. A total of 56 remits, covering a wide and varied range of subjects, was considered. Well over 100 delegates attended. In closing the conference the president, Mr Lloyd Hammond, said: “We can go home knowing that we have done it good job of work.” Pleasure was expressed at the presence of Mr A. McDonald, President of the Sheepowners’ Federatipn. It was stated that it was the first time that the federation had been represented. Mr Lloyd Hammond (Feilding) was appointed to represent the Manawatu, Wanganui, Southern Hawke’s Bay and Wellington Central districts on the Dominion Executive and Mr Hugh Morrison (Wairarapa) was appointed to represent the Wairarapa and Hutt-Ma-kara districts on the same body. After a protracted discussion in committee on the question of compulsory membership of the Union, it was decided that: “In the opinion of the conference we are opposed in principle to compulsory'*unionism either for farmers or their workers, but in the event of compulsory .unionism being forced on farm workers then we consider taking steps to make membership of. the Farmers’ Union compulsory.”

DEFENCE PREPARATION. “In spite of our growlings we have one of the best little countries in the world and if it is not worth defending it is not worth living in,” stated Mr R. Stewart when moving: “That the Government be urged to give full consideration to national defence, make more provision for the Navy, and introduce universal military training.” The remit was carried unanimously. Remits dealing with sheep carried were as follow:—“That be a more rigid inspection of sheep at the saleyards against lice infection.” “That it be compulsory for all rams offered for sale to be certified as dipped in suitable poisonous dip prior to January 1 annually, to obviate the necessity of dipping after purchase.” “That an identification card be provided for all sheep sold at public auction. Such card to be deposited with the Live Stock Division of the Department of Agriculture to be held for a period of years as a precaution for the vendor in the event of sheep stealing.” FARMERS’ LORRIES. General support was accorded a motion urging that the payment of heavy traffic fees on farmers’ lorries be abolished. The motion was carried although a number of delegates voted against it because they feared that if the fees were abolished their county rates would be increased. “The idea of this is to enable the dairy farmer to enjoy the holidays with his family,” observed Mr J. Crawford when moving the following motion: “That first-term holidays for country schools be held in mid-June instead of May, to enable dairy farmers and their families to participate in such holidays.” The motion was carried, Mr H. Ben-: nett observing: “If the doctors do not work in we will not want any schools soon.” GRADING OF WOOL. Mr A. Ross moved; “That universal grading of wool be instituted under a system of certification of specified standards similar to that applying to beef and mutton.” He said that it would appear that the competition at wool sales was more apparent than real. When there was animated competition they did not always get the high prices they might expect. Mr H. Morrison said they must have competition. If the motion was adopted he was afraid it would lead to lower rather than higher prices. Mr R. Ramsden said it was a very dangerous thing to go in for. Several other members opposed the motion, which was defeated. In the course of discussion a delegate said he had seen a hawk kill 12 rabbits and another said he had watched a weasel kill five young rabbits. The following remit on the subject was moved: “That conference urges the preservation of the natural enemies of rabbits, i.e., stoats, weasels, and suchlike, their natural work being deemed more value to the farming community than their destruction in the interests of sport.” The remit was approved, though one or two members opposed it, contending that stoats, weasels and hawks were “confounded pests.” POWER DISTRIBUTION. “That electric power boards be asked to give greater facilities for the reticulation of outback rural areas, was a motion moved by Mr J. Crawford. Electric power, he said, was a national service and should be treated as such. It was also a paying service and should be extended as far as possible into sparsely settled districts. Mr H. Bennett said the power boards should do away with the guarantee system and consumers should be compelled to put in sufficient electric appliances to make up for the guarantee. A remit was adopted urging that it be compulsory for pedestrians walking on roads where there are no footpaths to walk so that they would face the approaching traffic. LOCATION OF NEXT CONFERENCE It was decided that the next conference be held in Wanganui with the Wairarapa president in the chair. Opinions were divided on a remit urging that it be made compulsory for all sheep to bear a universal age mark. The remit was defeated. In its closing stages the conference adopted the following remits: “That the Government be requested to enact legislation enabling electric power boards and the Public Works Department to provide an insurance fund to meet claims for compensation arising from loss of life and stock caused through faults or breaks in power lines.” “That the Dominion Office be asked to investigate whether all workers directly handling primary produce should be paid on a sliding scale based on the prosperity of the farmers.” “That the Dog Registration Act, 1908, be amended by deleting the words ‘not exceeding three,” from Section B, Clause C.”