ATTACK ON ZONING

Chronicle (Levin), 30 April 1946, Page 8

ATTACK ON ZONING

SUPPORT FOR TWO FACTORY RULE "The Rongotea branch of the Federated Farmers is defmitely not in favour of the continuance of zoning," stated Mr. N. L. Remnant, Rongotea delegate, when proposing a remit ±or the abolition of zoning," and the allowance of free ehoice to the supplier to attend any dairy factory and in any sequence, at the first annual conference of the Manawata Provincial Dairy Section of Federated Farmers in Palmerston North yesterday. ' ' My branch is in favour of the two factory rule," Mr. Remnant eontinued. "I suggest that the supplier be allowed to change from a butter factory to a cheese factory contrary to the present restriction, which ailows a farmer to change from a cheese factory to a butter factory, but not the other way about. Mr. G. Wilde (Opiki) suggested as an amendment that the remit state that only zoning be abolished. "If we agree to any form of restriction at all we are placing our heads in a noose, " he said. "To suggest that we suppiy only one of two factories is placing our head in a noose. The suppliers shoula be allowed to choose the lactory they will suppiy." Mr. Renmaiit: It has been stated that the whole of the industry wants zoning, Mr. Wilde: What is the advantage o± zoning? On being put to the meeting, the amendment was defeated on the hands, and the motion was passed. Mr. R.,0raig presided over a good attendance of delecates.

The election of offieers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: — Chairman, Mr. R. Oraigj vice-chairman, iv. Hpiers; exeeutive committee, one representative from each branch of under 50 members, and two from ehcll branch of over 50 members. It was decided that the various branches should be circulurisecl asking for the branch nomination. Group delegate, Mr. K. Oraig. It was decided that the next meeting be held on the Wednesday before the meeting of the provincial exeeutive. It was resolved that a remit be forwarded to the inter-provineial conference, suggesting that where warrantert by numiiers provinces should havre direct representation on the confereiice. I Mr. Wilde pointed out that ManaI watu shared one delegate with Wanganui and the Wellington eentre. A remit from the Foxton branch was considered. It urged "that the Dairy | yection take up the matter of having all pedigree dairy stock, intended for sale for breeding purposes, compulsorily . tested for tubercuiosis. " In discussing the remit, Mr. N. L. Remnant stated that as there was a great danger of buying infected stock, he favoured the inspection of all stock for sale by a qualilied veterinary suriroon.

Mr. (\ Raint (Levin) expressed the opinion that tlie matter should be discussed with the breed societies. "The compensation for aft'eeted stoek is not large eiiougk for producers whose cattle is condemned and lost, " said Mr. J. T. Andrew, Mr. Craigr pointed out that the matter would - cause much contention throughout the Dominion, and thought that there would be some difficulty experienced in getting the idea accepted generally. j The remit was approved. The Opiki branch suggested a remit "that the Government have the radio j network made available for the discussion of • controversial subjects. " In discussing the remit, Mr. G. H. Smith stated that his branch felt that the farmers had as much right to use the systein as any Government -oflicial. The remit was accepted. ' ' That the Dairy yection of the Pohangina branch of Federated Farmers opposes the two factory rule, but would support auj^ move towards arualgamation of dairy factories," was a remn from the Pohangina brauch. ' ' This is an entirely new matter," said Air. Oraig when presenting the remit. Air. J. Evans instanced the case of several factories in fhe Auckland dis:trict which functioiied satisfactonly onder.tjie sc,lieine bf amalgamatiofiji ahd stated that he was in favour of the idea. ' " • . ^ ' ' The factories eould be amalgamated very easily without infringing the laws," commented Air. Oraig, "but what they are opposed to is the fact that it is compeliing them, to do something against their wishes. " On the statement that amalgamation dul not reduce costs or improve eDiciency, Air. G. Wilde opposed the remit. The farmers c-ould be crushed very easily if the dairy factories were amalgamated, he said. Al-r. G. H. . Smith said that the farmers were tired of being compellea by the Government to do things agamsi their wishes, and expressed the opinion that the time had arrived for the farmers to protest strongiy. The remit was rejected. A remit from Foxton stated "thai the Foxton branch of New Zealanu Federated Farmers views with alarm ahd indignation the sight of mothers loaded with household ileeessities lihe paek-horses, through inadequate de livery by business firms." "The sight is very eommon in the eouhtry to-day," said Air. F. Cull. Mr. G. Shiht bxpressed 'tlie opinioh that the position would right itself. On being put to the meeting, the remit Was rejbcted.