FARMERS’ UNION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20127, 21 April 1928, Page 9

FARMERS’ UNION

NEED FOR CO-OPERATION INTERESTING ADDRESSES AT , WAVERLEY MEETING. I Special ‘‘Chronicle” Service. I WAV ERLE Y, Aprii 20. The annual general meeting of the Waverley branch of the Farmers’ Union, was held last evening, Air Gregor McGregor presiding over a large ■ attendance. The election, of officers resullcil: — President, Mr Gregor McGregor; vicepresident,’ Mr Andrew Elmslic; secretary, Mr J. E. Palmer; committee, all members present; delegate to Provincial Council, Mr C. E. Johnston. The date of future meetings was fixed to be held quarterly at 7.30 p.m. on a Thursday.

The president referred, to several matters claiming the attention of farmers generally. He deplored the attacks made on the Union by some members who complained that it did nothing for them. This was wrong, as the Union had been instrumental in having a

number of reforms made in favour of farmers. They had just received a promise from the Railway Department Stating that an electric light would be erected at the local trucking yards, and this was a direct outcome of the Union’s request to the Department. All questions on matters of interest to farmers which come up before the Union were properly dealt with and very favourable results were often obtained. The farmers themselves were to blame for not taking more interest in Union affairs.

He quoted examples of the prices charged by merchants for produce. The farmer did not get it—the prices were piled on for overhead charges and middlemen’s profits. It was the duty of the farmers to co-operate and stop this and see that the public get fair treatment in these matters.

Mr McGregor said there were million acres of land lying idle in the Dominion. The Government should be compelled to do something about bringing it into productivity. The standard of wages was too high, and this was forcing up the cost of production, for which farmers were blamed.

Mr T. Currie (president of the Wanganui Provincial Council) said he was sorry to hear complaints and threats to leave the Union. He assured them that there was more need for co-opera-tion now than ever before. There wcr e big questions coming up for settlement in the near future, such as the suggested abolition of the Arbitration Court and taxation. He thought the Arbitration Court would not be abolished, but it certainly would be amended. The Union must stick together and fight for it. As to the cost of wheat, there was a big gap between growers’ prices in the South Island and the price paid by consumers in this Island. Shipping and handling charges ate up the charges. With regard 1o wool and other produce the Railway Department would do everything possible to co-operate with farmers and keep down overhead costs. For the first time in the history of the Union a British Minister had last year met farmers and discussed questions of vital interest to farmers in this country, and had promised to place the mattens before his Government on return.

Speaking of the Massey College, Mr Currie said the Union had fought hard for this, and had sunk differences as to where the college would be, and members were very pleased to see it an accomplished fact. The speaker roughly outlined the working of the rural credits scheme, under long term loans. The sale of bonds had hung fire for a time, but were now going well. Something like £1,010,642 had been taken up. The average holding was £l7OO and the highest £5500. The Union had fought hard for a set price for pork on the Home market, and had succeeded to the extent that the Government had guaranteed to subsidise the pork industry for a time, if prices did not maintain a certain figure —Bd per lb. at Home. There was an over-supply of bacon on the Home market caused by regulations imposed on imported pork through the foot and mouth disease in Denmark, Holland and other countries, and farmers would therefor© have to export a light-weight pig suitable for pork. Referring to daylight saving Air Currie said much had been stated in th G Press about Farmers ; Unions being in favour of, and supporting the Act. That was contrary to fact, —as all knew how strongly the Union had opposed the measure from the start. The Union was pressing the Government to do all in its power to keep the dreaded foot-and-mouth disease out of the 'Dominion. Special precautions were now being taken and a quarantine station had been, opened at Auckland for I this purpose. The disease was out of control in the Argentine, where even chilled beef, after being 60 days in the chillers, was found to be affected. Speaking on competitions, Air Currie said they had a challenge cup which could not be won outright and he thought it was a good thing as a means of bringing young members into the Union. They were trying to arrange for branch competitions in addition to the Dominion shoot, which would bo held next month. The competitions in growing mangolds, carrots etc., were a very valuable means of education to young farmers, encouraging them to experiment They had a wool competition run under the Wairarapa Provincial District, whore fleeces could be entered in any class a farmer thought it should go into, and it could be classified and judged bV experts. The competition had proved so popular that it would be taken up in other provincial districts. Lectures were given on the quality and classing of the wool, and were of great educational value to farmers.

Air F. G. Seddon (Wanganui Provincial Secretary) addressed the farmers on insurance. Much had been said about the Farmers’ Alutual Insurance Company being unsound financially. This was false and he could assure them that the company was sound. He instanced the heavy risks held by it at the time of the late Ractihi fire when the company met all its liabilities and paid 20s in the £. They could do the same to-iday, as they were in a much sounder position. Had it not been for the company, farmers would be paying the old rates still, and with co-opera-tion on behalf of the farmers there was no reason why- a further reduction could not be effected. Farmers must rally round their own company. A hearty vote of thanks to Air Currie and the chair, terminated a very enthusiastic meeting,