SHEEPOWNERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17155, 26 May 1921, Page 3

SHEEPOWNERS' UNION.

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The executive of jko Canterbury Sleepowners' Union met yesterday. Present: Messrs L. A. Rutherford (president), li. ■&!•• Morten, L. E. C. Macfarlane, D. W. \Vestenro C. H. Ensor, X. Mosefield, L. C. Latter, B. E. H. Tripp, and W. Parkinson. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs M. Bethell, E. Hay, Geo. Murray, U. 0. Rutherford, W. Mackintosh, H. ActonAdams, and N. D. Campbell. A letter was received from the Hon. W. Nosworthy, in reference to a resolution passed at the previous meeting of the executive dealing with the question of rabbit destruction. The Minister stated that a report was being prepared, on receipt of which he would communicate further in the matter. The secretary reported that Mr Mckenzie, of the Stock Department, had called in connexion with the question, and had offered to do everything in his power to assist in increasing the efficiency of the Departments methods. . Mr Enßor moved, and it was carried, tnat it should be made compulsory to poison at stated periods each year. A letter was received from the eecrotary of the Timaru Branch approving of the action of Messra Aoland. Rutherford, and the secretary in connexion with the Conciliation Council sitting dealing' with the shearers' demands. Dealing with the question, of facilitating 1 tho loading of ships in Now Zealand ports, the Timaru committee expressed the opinion that some system of apportioning the loading should bo adopted in order to save time and obviate the necessity of several ■ships following each other to the various ports to make up parts of their loading. Referring to th> matter of rates for shearing, tho secretary was asked if there were any grounds for the statement published that the shearere' dispute had been settled on the basis of 25s per hundred. He replied that this was quito incorrect, as, the whole matter had been referred to the Arbitration Court, Mr Rutherford referred to what had been done in oonnexion with the New Zealand carry over wool, and the negotiations that had taken place between New Zealand and B.A.W.R.A. .in connexion with the .eale of surplus wool stocks. The chairman referred to the matter of a producers' shipping company. In his opinion they could only run boats at a loss, and the present rates on meat left no margin of profit. ,• One of the chief causes, of high freights was the unsatisfactory conditions on the waterfront, and freights would not recede ' until boats could be turned round quicker at this end. .'■■' ~ Mr Westenra said he felt sure that plenty of private money would be available throughout the country to carry out a scheme of Chartering ehips for the conveyance of our produce to the varioue markets. Co-ordination of tho various interests was all that was required, and he thought the timo was now opportune to bring this matter to a head, and to get delegates together from the various bodies interested with a view to a company "being formed for the purpose mentioned. Mr Tripp said that, from information he had received, there would not appear to be any difficulty in gotting ships. Mr "Westenra moved: "That the proposal that is on foot for the forming of a com- 1 pany to charter ships for the carriage of our produce is considered by this committee to be the only reasonable scheme to go on with, tit tne present time." The motion was seconded by Mr Parkinson and carried. ■ After a full discussion on the question of purchasing ships, Mr R. M. Morten moved-. "That this executive is entirely "against the principle of taxation for the purpose of owning ehips at the present time.' The motion was seconded by' Mr Latter and carried. r The following resolution, moved by Mr L. A. Rutherford, and seconded by Mr Westenra, was carried unanimously: "That, in view of the urgent necessity for a reduction in the costs 'of handling our produce at the ship's side, this committee in of opinion that the preference to unionist clauses should be rescinded, and that tha Minister of Labour be asked to convene a meeting of Harbour Boards, Shipping Companies' representatives, and producers, with a view to more efficient, methods being adopted at the "waterfront." The question of taxation was discussed, and, on the motion of Mr Tripp, it was decided: "That this executive urge the Government U> use esery endeavour to reduoe taxation during tho next session of Parliament, and byj means of raising loans or otherwise to place a share of the burden of the war on future generations, instead qf as at present placing it wholly on the shoulders of present-day taxpayers."