SHEEPOWNERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17107, 31 March 1921, Page 3

SHEEPOWNERS' UNION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE

Tlie Executive of the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union met yesterday. Present: Messrs L. A. Rutherford (president), L. R. C. Macfarkne, E. Latter, E. Hay, B. Tripp, >'. D. Campbell, J. D. McCracken, H. D. Acland, G. Fullon, L. C. Gardiner, and H. ActonAdams. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs M. Bethell, D. W. Westenra, G: 0. Rutherford, and W. Mackintosh.

A letter was received from the Hon. W, Nosworthy, Minister of Agriculture, promising that further action would be taken in connexion with the destruction of keas in the Mt. Cook area, and stating that the Government subsidy of os was being paid by the .Department in addition to the amounts already paid by local bodies. . In view of the increase id the numbers of keas and the information that they were spreading northward along the main range, it was considered imperative that a vigilant watch should wrote in connexion with a proposal tliat the Government should guarantee a proportion of the value or frozen meat while in store, with the object of assisting farmers to ship on their own account. Ho stated that tins matter was receiving attention, and that he would endeavour to give effect to the proposals submitted. A letter from Scales, Ltd., was read, drawing attention to their chartering of a saOing ship to convey wool to London, and pointing out the great advantages of shipping by this method, having regard to present conditions. Appreciative reference was made to the energy and initiative shown in arranging. with Scales, Ltd., regarding the charter of a boat. It was pointed out that a saving of 20s per bale could bo effected in freight, in addition to a longer period of free storage} as compared with steamship conditions. The president gave a full report on the business done at the, meeting of the Produce Committee on the: loth inst., and stated, in connexion with shipping freights, that some arrangement should be agreed on at °pce, as otherwise the proaucers will suffer further loss oil account of shortage of shipping. . , , , ~ Messrs L. A. Rutherford, L. R.C. MacFarlane, E. Hay, Bernard Tripp, and the secretary were appointed dele* gates to the conference to be held in Wellington to-day. Mr Rutherford stated that the question of free competition for our produce was of more vital importance to New Zealand to-day'than it ever had been, and he was .of opinion that something' definite would nave to bo done in tliis connexion before long. MrL. C. Gardiner moved: "That this Executive request the Government'to remove all restrictions on the purchase and shipment of New Zealand meat, and that free.and open competition be allowed and encouraged within the Dominion." . The motion was seconded by. Mr B. Tripp, and carried.unanimously. . Referring to the present serious position which has arisen in .connexion with the disposal of. wool, Mr Hay,'said that tlie onlv solution, to his mina, would be for tho Government to .continue - to purchase -wool, at a reduced rate.if necessary." - ■■■'. ■ Mr Tripp said that the whole trouble appeared to have arisen since tW Armistice, and • was probably .traceable > to the method s by; the Imperial Government when'realising our wool" at Home.

Mr t. C. Gardiner stated that he was of the opinion that the delegates going to Wellington should endeavour to r immediately fix up something definite'with the object of either "the Wew Zealand, or' Imperial Government taking over .the present and future clips on siiiiilar lines to the action taken in connexion with tho South African wool, until the congestion of stocks is relieved. If this could be done, it would Help to stabilise the very 6erious position the* industry was facing to-day. Wool was practically unsaleable, and some method of dealing with the situatjpn should be devised. Under existing circumstances he was sure that ~a very" large percent- 1 age of the woolgrowers of the Dominion would find it impossible to carry on, and he urged that every endeavour should be made to induce the Government to como to the assistance of the sheepowners. Unless assistance was forthcoming In some practical Way; the sheepowners wotild be faced with disaster. He was not making these assertions entirely on his own account, tjut lie had been in communication with a large number of producers,, and they all agreed that , some action as outlined by him was absolutely, necessary. / •Mr :Pultoh stated .that the -position of the wool-growing industry.; should be placed before the public, as it was not realised bv people not'directly connected with tne industry. • . 'Refer t-incito the-question, of .the disEosl&l- of New Zealand produce on the fit'ish' market, Mr. ; .Tripp suggested that;, with' a view to placing: the posi-. tion mbre accurately before"tho"British public,- it would be a g6od idea if a Press ;Association, cable could <be Sent tb' the. Loiidon '''Times;'.' ' placing the ppsition' New ,Zealand is facing clearly and accurately. Mr Rutherford supported Mr Tripp's suggestion, aud it was decided' to bring this matter, forward in Wellington.. . Mr Hay said that it was more, than ever necessary thatNeV Zealand producers ' should have a man appointed to represent-theirf at; Home.-,- ■ r.' Mr E. Latter said/that the : advice • this inan. woiild he, able to send, from London as to the state of the markets, etc;, would be. irtvaluable to producers. ,Mb,Tripp spoke, supporting'Mr Hay's suggestion, but., stated tjiat-as far as he could gather the main obstacle was •the question of finance. Mr N. D. Campbell stated that a small levy on sheepowners throughout tho Dominion would cover the eyrjmftj, and he moved: "That*a levy, of os per 1000 sheen be charged to sheepowners throughout the: Dominion .to assist in the payment of the salary to n producers', representative iti England." ■ The motion was seconded by Mr B. Tripp, and carried unanimously.