FARMERS' CONFERENCE

Waikato Times, Volume 84, Issue 13187, 29 May 1915, Page 6

FARMERS' CONFERENCE

CONDITION OF FINANCES

A SATISFACTORY POSITION

At the conference of the union, r.ow Icing held in Auckland, the statement of accounts for the year ended April 00,1915, presented to the conference, showed that there was an excess of income over expenditure of i'G7 153 ()d. This was regarded Iy the delegates as being very satisfactory. The net levies from branches —after deducting the amount of the Dominion levy for 11)14-1915, £220 6s —were shown as £4Bl 9a 7d, Levies inse from branches amounted to £134 l'ls 2d. On the liabilities side of the balance sheet it was stated that the Dominion levy for 1915-191G would be £313 23 2.1.

On the motion of Captain F. Colbeck, it was decided that the fees of memhera of the Farmers' Trading Association be collected through the asiociator, and not through the union, en April 1 of each year.

remits were

The fcilowin adopted:---"That in view of the hostile and ditter attitude that many foreign countries have shown toward? the Lritish Empire during the present war, this conference is strongly of the opinion that the Farmers' Union in New Zealand should energetically contend for preferential trade within the Empire, and with her allies while they remain so."

"That tlv's conference heartily endorses the principle of the establishment of a Dominion Board of Trade, provided its constitution makes it a genuinely representative body of all branches 0? trade and industries of the Dominion."

"That the Government be asked to fulfil its promise of two years ago to establish an agricultural college in the North Island."

"That the Government be asked to provide accommodation for more cadets at experimental farms." "That it be enacted by the Government that every person who sella for use as food for stock or poultry any article which has been prepared artificially, and ceitain scheduled foods, shall give to the purchaser a certificate stating the name of the article and a statement of the percentages, within statutory limits, of oil and albuminoids."

"That steps be taken to have appoirted in various centres Government agricultural experts, available to farmers, to give practical advice on farming matters at their own farm." "Ihat the president of the New Zealand Farmers' Union be ex-officio a member of the Board of Agriculture."

"That owing to the difficulty experienced by seme farmers in keeping correct accounts, that it be a recommendation to the Education Department that a simple form of book-keep-ing be included in the syllabus of the primary schools." "That the Government introduce the system of pictorial post and letter cards; the views to show the different agricultural and pastoral scenes throughout the Dominion."

The Breeders and Graziers' branch elected the following committee:— Major D. H. Lusk, chairman, Messrs J. C. Potts, G. Jackson, W. J. Priest, Halliburton, .Johnston, J. C. Allen, VV. A. Bennett, P. Keegan, J. Harris, 11. Waring, S. A. Browne and E, Potts. Mr W. liuey was re-ele?ted secretary and treasurer.