FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18406, 12 June 1925, Page 14

FARMERS' UNION.

NORTH CANTERBURY BRANCH. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual Provincial Conference of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union wag commenced in Chrißtchurch yesterday, The following delegates were present;— Messrs J. D. Hall (chairman), R, T. McMillan, A. M. Carpenter, J. R, Cullen, D. Jone.", W. W. Mulholland, C. Mcintosh, 11. Oliver, H. G. Pnriah, P. A. Wagner, E. G. Wells, and W. Bailey C. A. Wornull and E. A. Payne (Ambcrley), H. M. Buttle (Cheviot), A. Fisher (Culverden), J, E. Horrell (Gust-West Eyrcton), 11. E. Jenkins and A. W. Colee (Darfleld), R. Bishop (Ellesmorc), J. D. Henderson (Halkott), G. H. Hassall (Kniupoi), E. A. Foster (Omihi), 11. Dickhoff (Rungl. ora), and H. F. Wright (Dunsandel), Presidential Addro33. In tho course of his presidential address, Mr J. D. Hall, in speaking of tho Dairy Control Board, stated that thcro did not appear to' be any prospect of agreement on- tho point of whothor or not the compulsory powora conferred by tho Act should bo brought into operation. Tho sponkor went on to detail tho points of contention v/hich had arisen through- tho compulsory clauses of tho Act. ■.

Control, to bo effective, ho Raid, had | to bo complete —there could bo no such thing os "limited control," and the v/holo matter resolved itself into the question whether the majority of tho dairy-farmers of New Zealand were to have tho power to impose cortniu method* on tho minority, or, rather, seoiug that this majority had got Buch power, whether it.waß to be taken away from them. Whether tho "Dairy Board made uso of such power depended upon the mombers whom the dairy-farmer elected to tho Board this month and next year, and from wliat could bo as* certaincd there was a reasonable prospect where the supporters' of tho Dairy Board put up two candidates und' its opponents only one, the latter Would have the best chance of being oloctod as a minority member. It was interesting to try to forocast what the anti-control membora of the Board would do if they were in the majority. The president was accorded a heartv vote of thanks for his address. Annual Report. The annual report stated that new branches. had been formed at Halkett, Culverden and Waiau and the, membership "'had been substantially increased. Mr T. Buxton, as Dominion organiser, was at present working in the district and the conference would have an opportunity of hearing from him what the prospects were. The Union, being a very much,interested, party in the proceedings in the Arbitration Court by the threshing mill workers claimed the right to be heard, as third parties, but on this occasion, the Court, disregarding its practice in the past, refused to allow any one to be heard except threshing mill owners., This lack of consistency was prejudicial to the farmers' interests and reflected little credit on any judicial body that adoped such methods. The balance-sheet showed a substantial improvement in the finances and the levy paid to the Dominion executive was a record. The work of the executive, in connexion with the marketing of the 1925 wheat, had been very difficult but had resulted in growers obtaining more than they were prepared to accept when the matter was under consideration in 1924; the small area sown and the fact that New Zealand had his year again to buy largely from Australia were serious defects and ought to be remedied. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. .Transport Remits.

The following remit was received I from the Dunsandel branch: '' That it is undesirable and unfair to the country residents to cut out Dunsandel as a stopping place for the mail train, seeing that for years, at least one express train has stopped there, and that this stop has served residents of Leeston, Southbridge, Darfield and Hororata, as well as Dunsandel. Mr H. F. Wright, in bringing forward the remit; said he would rather the matter was not discussed at the conference recently a member of the Department had enquired into the subject, and he thought it was better that the subject should be dropped until ,it had been considered by the Department

The remit was carried. The following remit was received from the Oust and West Eyreton branch: "That the conference discuss the matter of weighing of wheat and other produce at Lyttclton with a view to having tlic weights more correct. _ Eeports suggest that they are too inaccurate to base sales upon." Mr C. Mcintosh said it was patent that the weighing at Lyttelton at present was not accurate. He understood \hat sometimes the trucks were not even uncoupled when being weighed, and often they were weighed as they were moving across the weighbridge. Mr J. E. Horrell seconded the motion, and stated that the weights on wheat were, sometimes one or two per cent, out. The farmers had to pay for this margin of error. The matter was referred to the Agricultural Committee, as was also the following remit from the Hororata branch: "That-owing to the shortage of trucks during the busy part of the season that fat stock take preference over store stock." ' Marketing Stock. Mr H. Buttle, in moving the following remit on behalf of the Cheviot branch, stated that the reason for the proposal was the inconvenience of getting stock to the market on the Monday. The remit was: "That tnis branch considers the Amberley Ewe Fair should be held any other day than a Monday, that day beiug unsuitable for North Canterbury, and that the auctioneers be asked to arrange for a more convenient day." Mr W. W. Mulholland suggested that a representative committee of auctioneers and farmers should meet and fix the days of the different sales.

The chairman suggested that the matter should be referred to the executive with instructions that they investigate it. The chairman's suggestion was adopted.

"That this branch considers it would be an advantage during the busy season to have a two days' saie at Addington—one for fat stock, and one for stores —and that the Auctioneers' Association be approached to bring same into effect," was one of the remits brought forward by.the Cheviot branch. Mr H. M. in moving the adoption of-the-remit,,' Said that during the busy season there was great, difficulty in getting stock to Aldington. The Cheviot branch considered that the position would be eased if the sale extended over two days. Mr "W. W.' Mulholland said he considered that the remit should be referred to the Agricultural Committee, or perhaps it would be better to set up a. committee, to go into the whole question of marketing stock. • He was sure

that the auctioneers would welcome any suggestion that would enable them to get through their work at a reasonable hour. v

Mr C. Mcintosh said he did not think they had any chance of getting a tsvo days' sale. Mr R. T. McMillan stated he did not favour a two days' sale. Farmers liked to see all classes of stock sold. Mr J. R. Cullen said that there were only about four sales at Addington during" the year at which there was congestion. Mr McMillan moved as an amendon that instead of a two days' sale a better classification of stock should be made. The amendment was carried. Down Sheep. The following remit was received from the Dunsandel branch: "That a class for Southdown quality be introduced by freezing works in the Canterbury district at an increased price per lb over other qualities of lamb, and that the attention of the Meat Board be drawn to the fact that with the present system of grading there' is no inducement to farmers to produce the highest grade of Canterbury lamb, as selling a 361b lamb means that growers will have to buy store lambs, and rather than run the risk of buying such stores at high prices they prefer to keep their own lambs, and increase their weight over 421b."

Speaking to the motion. Mr D. Jones, chairman of the Meat Producers' Board, said that Canterbury had not lost its supremacy. The fart was that during the past season Canterbury farmers had been sending in heavier lambs than usual to the freezing works.

Mr R. T. McMillan said he did not think it wise to pass the remit in its present forni. If it were passed in that form ft would mean 'tieing the Union down to only one breed. Mr F. A. "Wagner said that the factories gave no- inducement to grow prime lambs. There should be a better price for super quality animals. After considerable discussion, it was decided: "That a class for Down quality be introduced bv freezine works in the Canterbury district." Tn"e second part of the remit referring to the Meat Board was also passed. General. On behalf of the Oxford branch, Mr E. G. "Wells moved: "That it be compulsory to have all unregistered cattle dehorned before the age of two years." The remit was carried. Mr A. M. Carpenter moved, for the executive: "That the incoming executive be asked to investiga£e the prices of superphosphates in Canterbury and the North Island, and also to ascertain what it would cost to supply manures for' t'op-dressing and ground Nauru for all purposes. The remit was carried.

It was decided to recommend io tK& Dominion Conference that the annual levy he fixed at 7s 6d a member

It was also decided that the Dominion Conference consider the advisability of fixing" the provincial levy not later than March in each year The conference decided .to approve of the work of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance ■Company, and urge branches io do their utmost to assist it. ,

A remit-from. Hororata: "That farm tractors be exempt from any kind of taxation," was adopted, and referred as a remit to the Dominion Conference.

Tiie following remit from tli6 executive was also referred to the Dominion Conference:—"That in, view of a general election in the near future, it is desirable that branches should ask all candidates whether they are prepared to siipport a readjustment of Hospital •levies ~>on the lines adopted by. the Dominion Conference, viz., one-third population and two-thirds capital value."

The chairman, in moving the following' remit on behalf of the executive, stated that the provision proposed. was the most important part of agricultural banking. The remit was: "That" the Conference urge the. necessity- of immediately ' making provision by means of an Agricultural Bank for land mortgages at reasonable rates ofinterest, with an amortisation system pf repayments." The remit was carried 'without discussion, and was referred to the Dominion Conference as a remit. Officers Elected. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Mr J. D. Hall; vice-president, Mr It. T. McMillan; executive, Messrs D. Jones, W. W. Mulholland, C. Mcintosh, H. Oliver, F. A. Wagner, E. G. Wells, H. Dickoff. A. Fisher, J. D. Henderson, G. H. Hassall, E. A. Fostor, A. M. Carpenter, and J. R. Cullen; treasurer, Mr W. Bailey; auditor, s Mr' T. H. Caverhill; delegates to the Conference, Messrs C. Mcintosh, R.T. McMillan, and J. R. Cullen; representative on Progress League, Mr D. Bates.