FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20096, 27 November 1930, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

NORTH CANTERBURY BRANCH. The Nortli Canterbury Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union met yesterday, Mr Colin Mcintosh presiding. The chairman reported that in future minutes of meetings would be sent to branches. The Dominion secretary (Mr J. Pow) forwarded a reply received from the Acting-Prime Minister (Hon. E. A. Ransom) to the effect that the Government was of opinion that the banks might well have refrained from increasing the bank rate. However, the matter was entirely one between the banks and their customers, and it was felt that the Government could not interfere directly. Mr Pow asked that provincial executives should ask the Acting-Prime ' Minister to take a firm stand in the matter. Mr H. G. Parish said that the Government had shares in the Bank of New Zealand, and'should have some power. He suggested that a protest be made. The chairman (Mr Colin Mcintosh) stated that in his opinion little could be done as banking was the ba-nks' business. In any. case, 10s per year increase was not a heavy burden individually. It was decided to take no action in the matter. .. The Banks Peninsula branch wrote requesting that action should be . taken to approach freezing companies asking, that reductions should be made in freeze ing charges on stock in view of the depressed condition of the farming iudus.try. . - .The chairman said that he had been given to' "understand that, owing to the low; prices received for offal, it was probable . that freezing charges would probably have to be increased rather than reduced. It ,was ; decided to : bring the matter under the notice of the! South' Island' Freezing Companies' Association' for favourable consideration. ■ . The Waimate branch wrote stating that it was Of opinion that the present, charge of £d per lb made by woolbrokers for receiving, weighing, and classifying wool was excessive, representing as .it did a charge-of at least 3 per.'.'cent. on (be., total value, and was consequently out of all: proportion for tUe'work involved.'lt..was urged that' effofts.ba made to secure a substantial reduction. ....... '.The : ..chairman stated that farmers:had no reason to complain,, of the . way in which they were treated. It was ;deeided to take no action. The Banks Peninsula braneh wrote requesting that the Union use every endeavour to see that the embargo on imported stock from the Old Country should not be lifted owing to the danger of foot and mouth disease being introduced into New Zealand.' It' was 1 decided to reply that action ha'd already been taken in the matter.