FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16142, 21 February 1918, Page 9

FARMERS' UNION.

.MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The Provincial Executive of the North Canterbury Farmers' Union met yesterday, Jlr D. Jones, the president, being in the chair. The Education Department wrote with reference to the Kitchcner Memorial scholarships, and solicited subscriptions towards # them from the Union. The letter was received. A communication was received from the Dominion Headquarters of the Union with regard to organising harvest labour. Mr C. H. Ensor suggested that it would be a good idea if the Union's Labour Bureau could link up with other bureaus in other places, so that 'the supply of labour could be adjusted to the requirements.of the various districts. Mr Benjamin, the secretary, said that ho had already communicated with various branches of the Union. Mr Leadley said that county secretaries should get into touch with Mr Jienjamin and let him know what the labour market was like in their localities. Arising out of a letter from the l.owcliffo branch, referring to the taxation of mortgages, Mr 0. H. Ensor moved: ''That the' executive strongly urge the Government to reconsider the tax on mortgages when waking out next year's taxation proIHjsals, as the present system is most inequitable, and is almost ruinous in many cases." The mover said that "the. farmers were not at all averse to paying their just share of the country's taxation, but tho infliction of the t mortgage tax. was claimed to bb distinctly unfair. Tho motion was seconded by the chairman and carricd. Several speakers gave cbncrcte instances of hardship which had conic under their notice, and it was decidcd to gather as many instances as possible ana forward them to the Dominion secretary. With regard to the Union's suggestion that advances should be made against frozen nicat in store on behalf of : tio "Imperial' Government, the Prime Minister stated that it was not considered opportune to raise the question at present The chairman said that at leas't one freezing company was offering to pay farmers the full amount for their meat, loss 2J per ccnt., within one month of placing the meat in the freezing chamber. This seemed a reasonable proposition. . , It was decided to receive the letter and not press the matter under the circumstances. ' Colonel R. A-. Chaffey, O.C. the Canterbury District, wrote with reference to complaints made that instructors did not arrive to drill Territorials in country districts. He stated that indications pointed to the fact that in somo eases young men misled their employers, and said they had to attend parades when no parade had been ordered. . , , - The Assistant Adjutant further wrote, in reply to additional enquiries front. the Union, that it was not the policy of the Defenco Department to publish the names of defaulters. Mr F. G. Horrell said_ honours seemed to be equal. The Union had suggested that instructors did not turn up, but were not prepared to give specific dates, and the mintary authorities suggested that the Territorials.got off from work on false prctonces, ■ but also were not prepared to ' sapply names and dates It was decided to endeavour to get somsr. definite information as to the defection' of instructors. The hon; secretary of the \Vomen s National Reserve wrote, stating that nono of: the members had registered as willing to undertake domestic servir<v—R <vpi vpfl The Oxford* branch of the Union wrote, nskins the executive to tako

steps to have Mr H. S. S. Kyle retained in the district in the interest of iho country, and be exempted from active service. It, was decided that steps should be taken to sec what the position was regarding the supply of properly qualified veterinary surgeons in the district. /It was decided to support the action of . the Huwke's Bay executive in endeavouring to get fair treatment from the Government with regard to wool. The Hawke's'Bey executive asked that if tho would not give a fair price for sucn classes of wool, the owners should bo allowed to ship it Homo or dispose of it as they wished. The Dominion Headquarters _ enclosed a circular from the Prime Minister asking that delegates should be appointed to a conference to discuss tne. question of appraising this spawn's slipe wool in New Zealand; the disposal of pelts; tho requisition of hides, and calfskins, etc. Messrs D. Jones, G. W. Leadley, and -._G. Sheat were appointed delegates. . After some discussion it was decide<l to allow tho delegates a free hand, the executive expressing the opinion that all wool and pelts should oo valued and paid for in New Zealand^ The Gore A. and P. Association asking the Union's support in having the freezing works charges in the North and South Island brought into uniformity. There seemed to be a combination* in the south to keep freezing charges high and prices for by-products low. It was decided to write and tell the Gore Association that the Union had done its best to have the anomaly removed, but had failed.