FARMERS’ UNION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18075, 13 January 1921, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION.

MEETING OF SUB-CENTRE. . VARIOUS MATTERS DISCUSSED. The Wanganui sub-provincial centre of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union met yesterday. Present: Messrs C. Smith (chairman), A. Robinson, R. Farley, Somerville, Parsons, D. McGregor, J. Hodges, J. Farley, R. A. Burnett. MEMBERSHIP. The organising secretary (Mr Tancred Cooper), reported that during the year 583 members were enrolled of which 465 were financial. -A branch with 30 members had been established at Paparangi, and arrangements were being made to form a branch at Pipiriki. DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE. A letter was received from Mr W. A. Veitch, M.P., organiser of the Development League, urging support of the League. Mr A. Robinson moved that the matter be referred to the Finance Committee. He said that the Minister of Public Works had a scheme in his mind to get the Government to take charge of the main roads of the country. They did not know which roads would be described as main roads, and apparently the matter would have to be left to persons appointed by the Minister to decide. The matter would have to be carefully watched . There were roads with every claim to be considered as main roads, but which possibly would not be treated as such, and it was necessary to have some organisation to protect their interests. Mr Veitch wrs carrying out the work energetically and the speaker believed that the League would be firmly established. Mr Hodges pointed out the possibility of times ahead being not too good, and he questioned whether they should subscribe to it. He moved as ar. amendment that the matter should be referred to the branches. Mr W. J. Polson expressed the opinion that Mr Veitch was an ideal man to carry out the work of organising. It was decided to refer the matto the Finance Committee.

SPREAD OF FOXGLOVE. A letter was received from the provincial secretary in regard to foxglove, stating that it was only a noxious weed in certain areas, and i was mostly on land that was going back. RAWHITIROA STATE FOREST RESERVE. A letter was received from the provincial secretary stating that an inspection of the Rawhitiroa State Forest Reserve would be made at the end of the present month. RIFLE COMPETITION. The following remit was received from the Waitotara Branch: “That the Wanganui Sub-Provincial Branch of the Farmers’ Union establish an annual rifle competition to be held at Wanganui. Teams of five. One or more from each branch. That a levy of £1 for first 30 members of each branch and 10/ per 20 members after, be made to buy a cup to be held by the winning branch for one year. Teams to be selected from this meeting to compete for the New Zealand Farmers’ Union Rifle Teams’ Competition.” The matter was deferred until the next meeting. TRUCKING OF STOCK. The following remit was received from the Maxwelltown branch:—■ “That the attention of the Railway Department be drawn to the disability under which farmers north of Wanganui suffer in not being able to truck their stock to Wanganui on Wednesdays in time for the sale.” It was decided that the secretary should interview the Railway Department to get the facts of the matter. CONTROL OF MEAT. Mr W, J. Polson brought up the question of the control of meat at Home. He understood Mr Massey had been in communication with the Imperial authorities. Indications were held out that the control price

would be shortly removed. The position was as follows: Soon all the Government meat would be gone from New Zealand, probably by the end of February. In the meantime there were large foreign interests purchasing meat in New Zealand and getting control of the works. It was having a good effect in some respects by influencing local prices, but the point was when the fresh meat got Home it would be worth more than the old meat and the price might rise a little, if not a good deal. If the control price was removed next June the foreign concerns with large interests would have control of an enormous amount of fresh meat and reap enormous profits. This was possible and indeed probable, and he considered that the Government should give the farmers all possible information so that they would have an opportunity of deciding whether to handle their own meat so that the farmers and not the middlemen would reap the advantage. Mr Polson moved: ‘‘That the Dominion executive be asked to consider the question of meat control and discuss the question with the Government so that the farming community generally may have fuller information about the position. This executive would point out that there are indiactions that the control price will be shortly removed but this may be delayed until June, and that in the meantime large interests with great powers and influence at Home are operating extensively in Nev Zealand, and that there is great danger that any subsequent rise in meat will benefit not the producers, but the middleman. In reply to a question by Mr Hodges, Mr Polson said if the farmers had the information they could have meat dealt with at the works, get an advance and hold it, and if the price advanced he would get value, Mr C. Smith said he was afraid the farmers did not know what was going on. It they had information from the Government they would be in a position to hold or sell as they considered best. Thanks were due to Mr Polson for bringing the matter up. The motion was carried. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr A. Robinson was added to the Finance Committee. An apology was received for the absence of Mr C. G. Russell.