FARMERS’ UNION ACTIVITIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 179, 1 August 1940, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION ACTIVITIES

RURAL HOUSING WANTED SERPENTINE SUPER FOR MORE PRODUCTION. The Wellington Central Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union met at Marton on Tuesday, Mr. D. G. Gordon (president) presiding. There were also present Messrs. J. B. S. Dudding, J. G. Wilson, A. R. Fannin, G. E. Anderson, H. D. Richardson, A. C. Birch, L. Hammond, A. J. Mickleson, D. Cameron, J. A. Harris, V. F. Toulmin, L. Lambert, O. E. Bergen, A. Howard, L. Weston, G. R. Lovelock, W. McLennan and E. G. Billinghurst. Apologies for absence were received from H. J. Tod, J. Butement, D. D. Simpson. J. J. Thomasen, D. Scott, A. Campbell, D. L. Younger, B. McLeod, F. C. Jurgens, A. H. Escott, R. Dalrymple and R. J. Gibbs. Rural Housing. Reporting on the recent Dominion conference of the union, Mr. K. M. Little (provincial secretary) stated that he had been a member of a deputation which had waited on the Minister of Housing on the subject ot an extension of the Rural Housing Act. Proposals had been advanced for the creation of village settlements in order to meet the demand for accommodation for casual labour and also for housing on farms for married farm labour. Waikato proposals provided for a form of village settlement for meeting the case of casual labour and a scheme had been submitted to the Minister whereby the houses for such casual labour would be built under the direction of branches of the Farmers’ Union. The idea was that a number of farmers in a district would guarantee labour for the casual worker and then arrange for a building of a house through the local branch of the Farmers’ Union with money advanced by the Government. The Minister had expressed himself as being impressed with the scheme but first desired the views of the Mortgage Corporation officials on the proposals. It was also put up to the Minister that farmers might be induced to -build on their own account cottages for married labour if they obtained some relief from income tax on this capital outlay. It was admitted that married farm labour was needed if the farming industry was to prosper and farmers were prepared to help if some of the existing handicaps were removed. The Minister had stated that he would place this point before the Minister of Finance, saying that it appealed to him as a measure that might be seriously considered if it would achieve the object of increased production. Lime and Fertilisers. Mr. Hammond reported on the interview with the Government on the subject of fertilisers. The use of serpentine super had been discussed and it had been ascertained that those who advocated its use, Dr. Annett, oi Hamilton, and Mr. L. J. Wild, of Feilding, among others, were satisfied from experiments that it was a good thing. The Government admitted the reports of the experts but wished to experiment further before committing itself to the production, of this form of super. The union felt that 50,000 tons of this mixture should be provided but the Government was not prepared to guarantee the fertiliser companies against any loss through non sales. However, continued Mr. Hammond, steps were being taken to manufacture the mixture and it would be used extensively in the Waikato. The matter of the report of the Lime Commission was also discussed with the Government and a request was made for its publication. The Minister made a statement setting out the reasons for withholding the report and said that when the financial considerations had been finalised something should be done. Representations were also made, continued Mr. Hammond, on the subject of subsidising transport for the cartage of lime and fertilisers to districts not served by rail. The point was that lime was freighted free on rail for 100 miles from the nearest works and this advantage came to the farmer near the rail, but the farmer in the back country was at a disadvantage and he was generally the one who needed lime for his country. This question was also wrapped up in the Government’s financial policy and no promise of help was given by the Minister pending a fuller investigation of the position. Road Transport. Mr. Birch brought forward the matter of co-operative transport stating that he had ascertained some particulars concerning a farmers’ transport, company which had been operating in the North Auckland district for some 12 months with exceedingly satisfactory results. Owing to the unsatisfactory state of road transport in that district the farmers had got the carriers- together and ultimately floated a company, taking over the lorries at valuation and paying a fixed goodwill. Owner-drivers were engaged to operate the service at a fixed wage and the business was handling 90 per cent, of the carting in two-way loads. Great economies had been effected. Members felt that the scheme was a good one and would tend to solve many of the problems now facing bhe farmer in the matter of road transport. Others held the view that the petrol restrictions were tending to force the carriers to organise their business on an economic basis. It was agreed to obtain further particulars of the scheme. Home Defence Training. The meeting discussed the matter of training for home defence and the opinion was expressed that the Government. had neglected to take advantage of the services of returned soldiers and others who were over military age for overseas service or for the Territorials. Mr. Hammond stated that the Dominion Conference had discussed the question and had represented to the Government the idea of utilising this body of man-power In the direction of affording it training. Many could not go into camp and it was suggested that these, and in fact all Class II men, should be provided with some system of voluntary training in the various country centres. There were, suggested Mr. Hammond, thousands of men reahy and willing to attend weekly parades on Saturday

afternoons or Sundays to obtain some training and so fit themselves for any emergency. They could not leave their occupations to enter camp but could be receiving useful training if the parades as suggested could be provided. There were returned soldier officers and n.c.o.’s ready to give the training. Mr. Hammond said that both the G.O.C. of the N.Z. Forces and the Minister of Defence expressed themselves as being very impressed with the proposal. Mr. Dudding: Wasn’t it in the sealed envelopes? (Laughter.) Mr. Dudding said that through a want of leadership much of the enthusiasm for home defence training among the older men had been lost. His district had offered to find its quota of the nine squadrons of men and horses which had been asked for for the North Island. This meant about 1100 men and to his mind it was ridiculous. The point about the scheme referred to by Mr. Hammond was that it would not cost the Government anything except uniforms and rifles. The men would have to be provided with that equipment otherwise the scheme would fall flat. Mr. L. Weston said that it had to be recognised that the Government was well behind in its military training scheme and the position had to be faced that the country would now require to get through the best way it could. He agreed that the men unsuitable for overseas service or the Territorials should be trained. The meeting agreed to a resolution expressing the view that nine squadrons of mounted men was entirely inadequate for the needs of the country and urging that steps be taken to form mounted units in each country centre. The Feilding branch submitted a resolution. proposing that shpepfarmers consider handing over the 5 per cent.

. held back on account of last season’s ■ wool realisations, to the British Gov- > ernment as a gift for the purchase of bombers and fighters. The president • suggested that while the proposal had . much to commend it he thought it • was a matter for individual farmers. i He understood that the money had al- ; ready been paid over to the brokers. ; The meeting decided that because of New Zealand’s sterling position and because .of the varied position of farmers, it could not support the proi posal. Meat Board Elections. ' In connection with the forthcoming r Meat Board elections the meeting agreed to support the union’s candij dates for seats on electoral college. t Mr. Hammond spoke at length setting , out the necessity for a greater interest is the Meat Board’s work on the ; part of the union and to achieve this , it was desirable that the candidates I nominated by the various branches of . the union should be supported. For [ the West Coast district the provin- , cials of North and South Taranaki, ’ Wanganui, Wellington Central and Manawatu had agreed to urge farm- , ers to support the candidature of ; Messrs. Hammond, Marfell and Scott.