CANTERBURY PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14980, 29 May 1914, Page 5

CANTERBURY PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE.

YESTERDAY'S SESSION

Tho annual provincial conference of the North Canterbury district of the New Zealand Farmers' Union opened yesterday in the rooms of tho Canterb «ry A. and P. Association. DELEGATES PRESENT. The President, Mr C. H. Eusor, occupied the chair, and tho following delegates were preseiit: — Centra] Branch: Charles Benjamin, Ainberley: \V A. .Nicnolfcs. Ashburton: AY. 1. Lili (Willowby), Charies itcid, and J. R. Simpson more). Cheviot: Robert bloss. Dunsandel: George She;it. Harewood: J. O. Howson, Harewood P.O. KaiaPoi: J. Gibbe tttantou and Fred l'horno. Kirwee: A. W. Coiee (Courtenay). Lincoln: R. W. Lochhead. Loburn: E. A. Cook and R. Mclntosh. Aialvern: James JJeans (tiomebush). Oxford : Stephen Weld. Prebbleton: J. W. Patchett. Rangiora: John Foster (Southbrook), V. AY. Wright (Swannanoa). Scargili: David Patterson. •Springfield: James Seymour. Springston: Isaac Andrew (Ellesmere). Templeton: William Bailey. Waiau: E. P. H. Burbury. Wnikari: Geo. Gardner (Medbury; and G. G. Newton (Hawarden). There were also present "Mr G. Gardner (vice-president), members of the executive of the North Canterbury district of the Union, and several visitors.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The retiring president, Mr C. H. Ensorj in his opening address, welcomed the delegates. During the year a number of new branches bad been formed, and the membership of the Union in North Canterbury had been increased by 416 members, which denoted progress. The speaker impressed upon the delegates the importance _ of the- business in hand, and emphasised :he definition of the "primary producer," who, according to President ifagenbarth, of the National Woolgrowers' Association of America, was cho backbone of the nation and its main strength. Yet the tendency of modern legislation was to /favour, not the primary producer, but the "parasites," or the people who existed on tho fruits of tho primary producers' labour. They had a primary producer at the head of affairs in tho Dominion iorday, and tho speaker believed that prosperity would follow to all classes. The distribution of primary produce was a question which affected the consumer as much as tho producer, and there was an enormous waste to both under present conditions. Sufficient wheat could be grown by tho farmer and milled by tho miller for 3d, hut by the time it went through the channel of distribution the retail price was 6d or 7d. Other articles were made equally costly by having unnecessary distributing charges added to them, and he felt sure that, by better and more- up-to-date conditions, tbo prices of.necessaries of life could be greatly reduced. To illustrate this, the Union was now selling horse-covers at 2J per cent, less than the same articlo could bo bought for at a retail shop. Spot cash transactions were necessary to eliminate Book-keeping charges, and it was also necessary for goods to be taken from the bureau to eliminate the cost of distribution. Much more could, and would, be done by the Union, and during the year ho hoped to see a great expansion of the system. "The speaker referred to the remits that'had been passed by tho various executives and conferences, and the. most important which had become law wero tho extension of workers' homes to rural districts, the increase of compensation for condemned cattle, tho "ranting of the freehold, etc. It was by belonging to a strongly organised "Union such as theirs was that the farmers of the Dominion could bring their views before the Government of the country, and get their grievances redressed. Although the Union took no definite side in. politics, it was essential that they should discuss political measures which affected thenhomes and industries. Seeing that other unions were advising their members to vote solidly ; for certain candidates, it appeared to bo an absolute necessity that tho farming community should pull more solidly together than had been done in the past. The tendency of the time was to take united action and adopt collective bargaining, and, used legitimately, the system was not a bad' one. The speaker'urged oh the farmers the formation, of branches in all districts, which would prove of benefit to farmers/ both toconomically and socially. The lectures given by experts last year were splendid, and proved of interest and benefit to those -farmers who heard

them. • deferring to the lato strike, the speaker commended Labour leaders and organisations who worked for the good of the class by constitutional and proper methods, but "condemned unreservedly agitators who inflamed the workers for their own ends. The thaaks of all were due to the men who opened the ports and restored trade and peace to tho Dominion during the recent troubles. The sympathy of all would go out to" the misguided men and women who suffered from the , had leadership of foreign agitators and strife makers. The;. Farmers' Union certainly justified existence by the prompt manner in which -the branches collected their members for the purpose of quelling the rebellion against the handling of their produce, and it was essential that all farmers should "be members of their Union for self-pro-tection. The speaker criticised the recent 'Australian Waterside Workers' award, which introduced tho principle of giving a living wage for 3J days' work, which would infallibly increaso tho cost of production. Payment for loafing time was bad for the workers and bad for the State. In conclusion, the speaker said that with regard to the principle of co-operative banking, by which farmers could assist themselves and each other, it might bo favourable to establish a system on tho lines of the French "Credit Fonder." The speaker concluded amid applause, and received a hearty vote of. thanks for his address. The financial statement presented by the treasurer. Mr G. Sheat, was considered in committee, a good deal of discussion taking place on various items.

THE REMITS. Vn iniDortant section of tho business of the Conference was the consideration of* remits forwarded from different branches. i AGRICULTURAL LECTURES. i Loburn.--To ascertain from the Agri- | cultural Department what lecturers will be available to give lecturesMr R Mclntosh moved tho remit. Mr Burbury thought that prominent farmers from other districts should pay visits around the country and give informal talks or addresses on fanning matters. Ho thought it would be 'bettor than having Government experte. .. ~ ~ ~ Mr Livingstone thought the idea good though impracticable, and commended the vast efforts of Lincoln College professors and Government exMr Evans supported Mr Burbury's suggestion; it was a scheme which had -worked well in his district. ' Others also supported 'the idea, and MrLilimade it clear that there was no intention of disparaging the work or abilities • of • the Government or other experts Farmers should take the opportunity of getting the services of men

in the front rank of scientific, investigation on every possible occasion, and their work had been of great value in the past. The remit -was carried. ARBITRATION COURT MATTERS.'

Loburu. —That the Government be requested to amend the law, so that the third party affected by an Arbitration Court dispute shall havo legal right to being heard. liaugiora.—That the Government bo requested to enquire into the expediency of appointing a representative versed in economic questions to act on behalr of the general public in all labour disputes, and to add the public a*> a third party in all.such cases. After some discussion it was decided to take the above two remits together, as they practically dealt with the same subject. Mr V. Wright, of Rangiora.. pointed out that in a ease like that between tho threshing mill owners and the men, tho third party, the farmers, were not able to be represented. Mr Patchett thought that the words "general public" wore too ambiguous, and something more definite .would have to be inserted.

Mr Mclntosh, for Loburn, said it was only fair for the interested third party to have some standing before the Court. Mr Evans moved as an amendment — "That as the awards of the Arbitration Court frequently imposo a great hardship on the parties who are not represented at the hearing, in the interest of public justice this Conference is of the opinion that these parties should have an'opportunity of being heard before the Court before an award is mado, and that the Government bo asked to introduce legislation giving effect to this."

Mr Leadley said they were introducing a new principle into tho Arbitration Courts of the country, and they needed a more specific statement of their case before seeding such a remit forward to the Dominion ence. The speaker said that in the recent case before the Court between the mill-owners and employees, he had been present as a representative of tho farmers. He had felt that he vras an interloper at the Court, and the Court apparently regarded him in that light. The principle of lotting the men who finally had to bear the burden be represented at the Court was a good one, and one ho heartily supported.

Mr Sheat thought the whole question was a very large and intricate one. Any award had a far-reaching oliect, and it was difficult to say who V->s and was not effected. At present third parties were represented by courtesy, but they ■wanted it as a right. Mr Horrcll said the executive b? 19 W had taken the matter up, and had gob into trouble with other members of ■ r.o executive. He thought tho Loburu remit covered the whole matter, and he hoped the Conference would adhere to that remit.

Mr Evans corroborated the statement by Mr Leadley that sometimes an "<mholy alliance" was entered into by jarties to an award. Ho felt that a strong effort should be made to protect tho struggling farmor, who was trying to raise a family. Mr Wright then withdrew tho Rangiora, remit, and, on the amendment being put, it was lost, and the Loburn remit carried, with the addition of the word "direct" beforo "third part}-."

AUSTRALIAN WORKERS' UNRnN. Waikari—That the Conference should consider the effect of tne Aus&ralnu Workers' Union's iniiuence in x\e\v Zealand, and the results of tho JSo'v Zealand 'Unions amalgamating with that body on the agricultural and pastoral industry in this country/ Mr Gardner moved the remit, and pointed out the gravity of :;he leoiiid that could happen in tnccaso of bucJi an nniaigauiation. ha iioped thvfc it would be possible for the Govern aent to bar such outside organisations from coming into the Dominion.

Mr tiheat thought that *he Lonierence could only recommend mo executive in New-Zealand to jealousy "wai<:.a the interests of tho producers. * Mr Leadley said it would -<c iinn-w-. eible to prevent any Dominion organisation from adopting the constitution of an outside organisation. That would bo an interference with tho liberty of the subject that could never bo tblerfted in a free country. Ho did not think it right to even suggest such a course of action. They could not prevent any union adopting any consutu tion it liked, but wJien a body of people came out in the open and talked sedition, they could be dealt with then.

The remit was last on the <-bic*.3 CARRIAGE OF STOCK.

AVaikan—That the Railway -Department should .allow farmers who wish to send stock from one station to another station to combine and make up a truck load. Such stock to be charged at truck rates, and to lie consigned by one consignor to one consignee. Mr G. G. Newton moved the remit, winch was approved after a short discussion.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENOJi BUREAU.

• Ashburton—That the Conference be asked to consider the necessity of in stituting a Commercial Intelligence Bureau for collecting an(l distributin.r reliable information to members o° Uio Union regarding prices of our staple products. l

Mr Leadley moved the remit. He said some scheme was necessary to get reliable information for farmers, and ho had such a scheme. Reports of all transactions would be sent forward to a central office, and all members of the bureau would have a price list forwarded every week, showing exactly what prices had been got. A brief discussion ensued, and tho remit vras unanimously carried.

DEPOSITS OF LIMESTONE «.wJ U "" T -^ tl,e Government be asked to assist farmers to develop local hmcstono f ™ asrkultS

Mr Burbury withdrew an original remit on the question in favour of the one above, suggested by the president, which was earned.

DOCTOR'S SUBSIDY. Waiau—That in sparsely populated country districts where it is found necessary to subsidise a doctor in order to get him to reside- there, the amount of the subsidy required should bo refunded to the local authority by the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board , . Mr Burbury moved the remit, and was strongly supported by Mr G. G. Newton and others, who suggested seceding from the North Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid District, and forming a separate district as Asl burton had done.

Tho remit was carried

FLAG STATIONS. Loburn—That a porter be put in charge at flag stations during the grain season. Scargill—That it be a recommendation to the Dominion Conferenco to r-nng before tho notice of tho General Manager of Railways tie necessity of "&vmg a list of consignees posted at all flag stations, when a truck cdnta "*>ng miscellaneous goods is left. The Loburn remit was rejected, and tho Searjjill remit- approwd.

GRAIN SACKS AND WOOL PACKS

Harewood—That the Provincial Executive urge upon merchants the necessity for supplying fanners with 6ack3 and wool packs made of better material an <* of better workmanship. Ino. remit was carried. opringston—That this Conference is in favour of the Union recommending sacks of a standard size, suitable for all farming: purposes, the sacks to be 48 by 2GJ inches.

After a long discussion the remit was carried.

Mr Evans moved that a committee from the Conference interview all mc.:-

chants possible, and acquaint "them with, the decision of the Conference re the size of sacks approved". LABOUR EXCHANGE. "Waiau—This biftnt'li considers that much benefit might be derived by tho farmers if the Farmers' Union could bo induced.to open the branches of their Labour Exchange in country townships. Mr Burbury moved fho remit, stating that thero was always someone in country 'townships who could act_ for the executive in the matter. If liirts were f.vailable in country towns of jobs, or men available, it would be a great Ikeip to farmers. \ The remit was thoroughly discusser, arid finally approved and carried. LAND FOR FARM LABOURERS. Harewood —That the Government be urged' to put asido, one or more sections in each block of land/ subdivided for ballo , . by quaMed farm labourers only. " , Mr Livingstone moved tho remit. Ho said farm labourers often had considerable difficulty in gettiinxc a starton the-land, a difficulty that..-was not met completely by the present land' for settlement regulations. Genuine ana suitablo farm workers should have some little preference for one section at tho different land ballots. If tho Government could pass legislation on tho lino suggested by the remit it would bo a groat encouragement to farm labourers.. Mr Seymour seconded the motieOj ami warmly supported the idea. In the discussion which followed., a good deal of adverse criticism was directed against tho idea, it being pointed: out that a very dangerous principle was being introduced in the remit, the principle of preference, ■ which ha<l always been strenuously opijosed by the Union. Messrs Sheat and , Lea« lo y wero of this opinion, and, Mr Horrell said he hoped the mover would withdraw it, attractive as it looked at the first glance. Scon they would have the proviso attached "that the sections were for qualified farm labourers, suca labourers to be members of tho larni Labourers' Union £' . After further cGscnssion, it was decided' to withdraw the remit, and tho sitting of the Conference was adoourne.l until 10 a.m. to-clay.