FARMERS' UNION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1453, 30 May 1912, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION.

AT PALMERSTON. THE WELLINGTON. BRANCH. (From Our Special Oorresnondent.) Palmerston, May 29. Tho conference was continued this morning at Palmerston, Mr. J. G. Wilson, president, in tho chair. CONFERENCE REMITS. On behalf of the Halcombe branch, Mr. Morrison moved:—"That in view ot tho fact of so many remits being considered by the Provincial Conference every year, nnd nothing further being heard .of them, it be a recommendation in future to select six of the most important remits sent in, and not lose sight of them until the decision arrived ot be enforced." Mr. Morrison stated that there were a number of remits before the conference which were urgently required, and the union should get them nt once. Mr.,]?. Hockiy moved as an amendment: —"That the phraso 'nothing further being heard of bo deleted from tho clause, as it was contrary to fact." ! Mr. Booth seconded. Mr. R. M'Kenzio seconded the motion pro forma. Personally, however, he was not in favour of the remit. Ho thought that the conference ought to confine itself' lo fewer remits, and push thcin for all they were worth. . Captain Hewitt thought that all tho remits should be brought forward, so that they could bo discussr.l collectively. He did not think that this remit was required. • The remit was withdrawn. DROVERS' LICENSES. Mi. Higgie moved:—"That the present method of granting night licenses to drovers should be'abolished, nnd that in future all licenses to drive stock between sunset and sunrise should bo issued only by tho police officer in charge of the district." Mr. Ewan Campbell seconded. Mr. R. M'Kenzie spoke against the motion, stating that it would be practically impossible for a drover to secure a police license, say if he wished to catch a morning train, and had to travel to be in time. Mr. Kevins asked that Mr. Higgio should add to his motion "that the police keep a record of such licenses, which shall be open to inspection." To ; this the mover consented. Mr. Hodgins was opposed to the remit. He thought that night driving should be abolished entirely. Other speakers mentioned that sheep were continually being driven without licenses. If the law were enforced there would bo very little cause for complaints of stolen sheep. Mr. Wales moved as an amendment: "That the attention of the authorities be called to the fact that stock was being driven at night without a license." The words: "That the licenses be issued in duplicate and one cqpv be ' forwarded to the police," were added to the amendment. This was carried. POSTAL FACILITIES. » Mr. Moore moved: "That the inland mail contracts be altered to give country settlers greater benefits; that where possible, settlers should get tho benefit of rural delivery; that the price'of private bags be reduced when delivered only twice a week." In support of his motion, Sir. Mooro stated that rural delivery in this country was not what it should be. In America it had been reported that rural delivery had increased the value of. laud 15 per cent:. Ho did not consider that !this\.w'6utd" be the case in New Zealand. It mas fully recognised by all that a rural service was essential for the progress of the farming community. Mr. D. Howie seconded the motion, which was carried. SHEEP WORRYING. Tho Waikanae branch forwarded the following remit:—"That legislation be introduced making it compulsory to chain up all dogs at night to prevent'the worrying of sheep." An amendment introduced by Mr. Richards—"That the conference protests against the dual control which permits the Maori Council to issue dog licenses, and asks the Government to pass legislation making the county councils the sole authority in that direction"—was carried. • FARM LABOUR. The following remit from the Feilding branch was introduced by Mr. E. Selby: —"That the question of the shortage 1 of farm and domestic labour bo brought under tho notice of the Government." Mr. E. Law seconded, stating that something should be done concerning this matter as soon as possible. The chairman remarked on the success of Mr. Sedgwick's scheme of bringing boys out from England. Endeavours were now being made to get tho Government to bring out lads under similar conditions. Tho scheme had also been considered "privately: The conclusion had been come to that this would bo more or less impossible. Tho assistance of the Government must be obtained. There were many other difficulties that cropped Up consequently, and ho could not recommend the union to tike tho matter up. It was a far better system for the Government to take the matter up, and have tho lads under its control. The motion was carried. GORGE STATION. Mr. Tait moved, and Mr. Richards seconded:—"That the conference ,mako a request to the Minister for Railways to erect a goods siding at tho Gorge flag station." The motion, was lost. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr. Nevins moved, and Mr. M'Kenzio seconded: —"That this conference of the Wellington province of the New Zealand Farmers' Union wish to convey to the Minister for Defence its appreciation of

tho firm stand ho has taken in administering the Defence Act." This (Was uarried unanimously. On tho motion of Mr. Dalrymple, a seed-growing association is to be formed under tho New Zealand Farmers' Union. As tho Government lias increased the number of places to which weather forecasts will bo sent, the conference expressed its approval''of same. The matter was referred to the, Dominion Executive, with tho request that anyone wishing the reports may have them telephoned. Tho afternoon was devoted to commitleo work. OFFICERS ELECTED. The following'officers were elected:— President, Mr. J. G. Wilson; vice-presi-dents, Mr. W. J. Buck; executive, Messrs. Ewan Campbell, H. Booth, ,T. Balsillie, Captain Hewitt, K. W. Dalrymplc, F. Hockley, Alex. Howie, 11. K, Elder, W. B. Matheson, John Morrison, Hugh Morrison, 11. A. Nevins, and G. Hodgins; delegates to the Dominion conference, Messrs. H. A. Nevins and Thos. Moss. ~ DAIRYING INDUSTRY. CONDITIONS FURTHER REVIEWED. A HIGH QUALITY ESSENTIAL. The important position held by New Zealand in the export or cheese to the United Kingdom is. says the annual report of the National Dairy Association, 'gratifying to" tho=e * interested in tho trade. Somo idea as to its .influence on tho English markets may be gathered from the fact that the total imports of cheese into the United Kingdom from October 1, 1911, to March 30, 1912, were 1,012,957 cwt. Of this quantity NewZealand supplied 338,107 cwt., equal to 33 per cent, of the imports for (his period of the year. It must, therefore, be recognised that with the increased manufacture of this article, available for export in the, near future,' makers will have to give Special attention to quality. The maintenance of a high standard is the only road to permanent •success, and the attainment of a stable position and best prices on the English' market. Tho following tablo for the last four years ended June 30 of each year shows the quantities_ of cheese exported from Canada and New Zealand to tho English marketsCanada. New Zealand. Tons. Tons. 190S- 81,428 13,152 1909 76,402 • 16,572 1910 79,001 22,051 '■ 1911 70,157 20.256 It will lxi noticed that while Canada decreased its yearly export during this period by about 5000 tons, New Zealand increased its quantity by rather more than 7000 tons. Now it must not be assumed that the increase in cue country has produced a decrease in the other. The opposite condition is really the result. New Zealand's increased export is tho natural corollary of Canada's lessened export. Better prices have been maintained for cheese than for butter, and higher prices have been paid by cheese factories to their suppliers, and many of the factories that were at one time producing butter are now producing cheese. ■ According to the samo report, one or two of the cheese shipments this season arrived at London Docks in a jsomewhat damaged condition. This matter requires immediate and careful investigation. Before, however, the steamer carrying the produce is condemned as tha whole source of the trouble, it will be as well, says the report, lo' consider if some blame is not attachable to shippers in consequence cf cheese being shipped in an immature condition, and being packed in cases made from unseasoned timber. These two factors, together with an imperfect circulation of air, .may. cause deterioration of quality and consequent injury to our reputation. Vancouver and African Trade. This year 52,028 boxes of butter have been shipped to Vancouver and San Francisco, as'against 8008 last year, and 5630 boxes to South Africa, as against 12,998 the'year before. The demand for New Zealand butter in Vancouver was strong, and the quality gave universal satisfaction. There is a probability of a market for a certain quantity annually, but that demand will no doubt greatly depend on their other sources of supply during the summer months. The South African trade shows no development, and is handicapped bv freight charges and transhipment nt Sydney. The Commonwealth is in a. much better'position to control this trade than tho Dominion. It mav be of special interest to mention that a London cablegram just received gives the following quantities cf butter and cheese imported to tho United Kingdom for the twelve mouths ended April 30, 1912, from the respective countries as under:—Denmark, 83,339 tons; Australia, 38,221 tons; Siberia, 31,422 tons; Sweden, 17J09 tons; New Zealand, 14,720 Ions; France, 7971 tons; other countries, 14,272 tons. , . , The cheese imports for the same period as above are as follow:—Canada, 72,495 tons; New Zealand, 23,014 tons. Some Interesting Figures. A tablo giving the quantity nnd.value of the butter and cheese exported for tho years ending March 31, 1895, to March 31; 1912, is as under:— Butter. Cheese, cwt. £ cwt. JE 1895 66,233 203,241 79,650 160,383 1596 60,066 241,151 71,474 132,039 1597 75.237 297.51S 71.663 135,711 1898 106,840 429,407 78,705 154,144 1899 102,479 433,481 50,409 100,992 1900 161,792 693,701 98.001 208,258 19(ft 18-1,553 790.1G0 109,152 248,883 1502 219,193 983,224 86,470 189,992 1903 263,196 1,263,759 74,011 151.604 1904 314,319 1.H6.454 80,535 206,870 1905 342,853 1,514.150 82.42U 180,874 1906 299,145 1,413,153 1.07,503 257,171 1907 308,330 1,522,113 162,913 419,676 190S .. 270.7.18 1,333,057 260,765 745,099 1909 "75974 1.422,291 310,087 865.463 1910 "".'.. 322.070 1.635,373 441,787 1,186,708 19U 367i496 1,878,320 450,3711.222,334 1912 327,2.82 1,776,449 463,0101,297,088 FREEZING STORES. THE HARBOUR BOARD SCHEME. Reference is made in the annual report of the National Dairy Association to the proposed freezing • stores which are to be erected bv the Harbour Board. The report says':—"As far back as 1904 we referred 'to the necessity for properlyequipped freezing stores at Wellington and the executive kept this matter in view and are glad to report that the Wellington Harbour Board has decided to proceed with the construction of a cheese store which will provide for tho handling of cheese sent to the port for transhipment. It is hoped that the storo will be completed in time for the coming season and it will assist very much in the prevention of the defeneration in tho quality of the produce, whilst it is awaiting shipment." SCARCITY OF FARM LABOUR. GOVERNMENT TO BLAME. Farmers have a good deal to blame the Government for said Mr. W. T. Lill when sneaking at tho Ashburtofi Farmers' Union meeting on the scarcity of farm labourers. Had the Government been willing, said Mr. LUI, Mr. Sedgwick, who had brought out one batch of boys, would have brought another. We in New Zealand had now come to the point 'where we must have assisted immigration or come to a full stop. Farm labourers could not. be obtained now. lie believed that if New Zealand had n population of 2.000,000 it would soon double lis wealth. As for guaranteeing work, he would guarantee work to two men for two years, and there were hundreds who would do , tho same. Mr. R. Gilinour, speaking at the samo meeling, stated that he had tried fir two months without success to obtain a man to drive his team. "Look to the main chance" is acceptable advice to me.-t folk. The factory manager's "main chance" is his own and the shareholders' enrichment. That can be best sained by the use of "Victor" Cheese Vats in the factory. These Vats last longer and perform betto.r work than any other make. In a word—they arp perfect. Fnr full particulars, writo to Albert J t P^tou,. Cm ts^n^-Aditi

COMMERCIAL ITEMS. IKVESTMKXT SHARER. The sales rccoribd yesterday were Christchureh Gas at £9. and D.I.C. preference at 22.;. 9il. The buying and felling quota.tions were a* under:— Buyers. Sellers. £ s. it. £ s. (I. Bank New Zealand il 12 0 — Xnliimal Kink 6 0 0 - Tlnuitalno building 10 0 0 10 5 0 Well. Trust and Loan .... 7 12 6 Christchtirch das 8 18 0 9 10 Well, Gas (£10) 16 5 0 Jleat Export (£5) 6 2 6 Meal Ksiiort (525. 6d.)... •- 5 0 0 Well. Woollen (oni.) - 3 10 i V.'ell. Woollen (prof.) — 2 18 6 Lc.vl::il(l-OTirien ....<.. - 18 6 D.I.C. preference 12 6 15 0 Golden Bav Cement -- 14 0 N.Z. Con. Dental 10 0 — Sliorlaud's ordinary — 15 3 Well. Opera lloiue - 4 17 0 COLONIAL 51UTUAL LIFE. The annual report of the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society. Ltd.. shows that the new business of ihe ordinary branch for the year 1911 was £473,550 above that of the previous year. In the industrial branch, the business we- £563,263. In the accident branch the expansion amounted to £28,040. Altogether, the new business aggregated £1,064,653. The net liability has increased bv £162,903 in the ordinary branch. With an addition or £138,961 to the life assurance fund the surplus on the year was £149,732, as against a surontail a corresponding incrsa.se in expenditure.to premium income was 36.5 per cent., as against 27.2 per cent, in 19i0; and as the rapid growth of business will entail a correspondingly increase in expenditure, it has been decided to carry forward the surplus' for future distribution in the tricunium ending December il, 1913. Policies maturing before that date will bi entitled to a bonus of 255. per cent, for each completed year. The net liability of tho industrial branch ha* increased bv £9130, 10 £59,301. The assurance fnr.d of this branch is larger by £8808 at. £60,173, showing a surplus of £877. The accident branch shows a profit balance of £3908, of which £1002 accrued during the yoar under review. The premium Income of the ordinary branch m 1911 was £452,808, and total receipts lrom all sources, inclusive of consideration for annuitiw, amounted to £668,761, This compares with a premium income of £«1,535, the total receipts of £557,104 in 1910 Expenses figure at £165.258, as against £i 14,759 in the preceding year. The assets of the ordinary and accident branches total £31413,873, all, increase of £153,396 on the twelve months. ' , . At thn annual meeting of the society, which was held in Melbourne on Wednesday. May 22, the chairman tAIr. G. T. "Baker), in moving the adoption of tno report, said that when the society \va<? projected in 1873 it bad to b; registered under the Companies Act as a company limited bv shares, and the suggestion had recently been marie tint the society was not a'purely mutual institution. Such an opinion had no foundation whatever. The shareholders who were brought into existence over 30 years ago, in order to register the company, wsre allotted foundation policies in iicu of shares, and were classed amongst the profit-bearing policyholders, and therefore full roemVors in the society Counsel had advised that ni short Act of Parliament should be applied for to settle doubtful points. It was proposed to ask Parliament to nass such- an Art. Some of th> poliey-h aiders might Ijc disappointed at the adoption of the triennial period for a distribution of bonus, but a careful and safe policy was always the beft, especially now that men with long acfiuaintance with the conditions of the country were beginning to feel uneasy at the prospect of a bad season affecting pastoral and agricultural interests in parts of Australia. Oni'toms duties collected at the port of Wellington yesterday amounted to £1409 Bs. 2d.

BANK SHARER. By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyrighi London, May 23. Th? latest Stock Exchange quotations are:—Union Bank, £59 IDs. (buyers) and £60 10s. (sellers). WHEAT AND FLOTJE. London, May 28. The wheat and flour afloat for the United Kingdom totals 3,945,0C0 quortors, and for the Continent 3,655X00 quarters. Atlantic shipments total 617,000 quarters. There arc no Pacific shipments. The shipments to Europe during tho week amounted to 1,410.000 . quarters, including 497,000 'from Argentina, 30,000 Russian, 10,000 Danubian, 112.0C0 from India, and 25,000 from Australasia. (Ecc. May 29, 11.50 p.m.). London, May 29. Wheat—An Australian cargo has been sold for Fra.ncc at 395. 3d. THE METAL MARKETS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Rec. May 29, 11.30 p.m.) London, May 23.-Coppcr.-On spot, £74 13s\ 9d.; three months, £75 2s. 6d. Electrolytic, £76 15s. Tin.-On spot, £213rthr;c months, £202 m. , . SILVER. i London, May 28. Bar silver is quoted at 28& d. per ounce standard. MINING NEWS. WELLINGTON SHARE MAAKET. There were no transactions in mining shares yesterday. The buying and selling quotations wer.3 as under:— Buyers. Sellers. £ s d. SB b. d. Kuronni Caledonian 0 12 — New Big Rivor 4 10 0 — Occidental 0 11 0 13 Talisman : 2 2 6 — Waihi 1 M.9 - Waihi Grand Junction ... 1 2 6 12 9 Waitangi ...: C 0 8 - Taranaki Petroleum — 116 STOCK EXCHANGE. ißr Telegraph'-Press Association.; Auckland, .May 28. Business, done on 'Chans; this morning: Occidental, £5 3s. May Queen, Is. sd. Saxon, 6d. Waihi, £1 15s. 6d. Grand Junction, .£1 2s. 6ri., £1 2s. 9d. National Bank, £6. £6 Is. Grand Junction return is £12,952, from 7460 tons. I The following /business was done at the 3.15 p.m. call:— May Qu;cn. Is. sd. Talisman. £2 2s. 6d. Grand Junction. £1 2s. 9d. Northorn Steam, 14s. lOd. Christchurch, .May 28. Sales reported:—Christchurcli 'Gas, £9; New Zealand Insurance, £4 !Bs. On 'Change:-T:Uisman. £2 2s. 6d. • Dunedin, May 29. The following sales were reported on the Stock Exchange to-day— •Rising Sun, £1 12s. 6d. (two parcels). Bank of New Zealand. £11 12s. N>3w Zealand Drug, £2 Us.

WAiHI GRAND JUNCTION. (Bj* Telegra ph.—Press Association.) Auckland, May 29. The Wailvi Grand Junction Company, for the period ended May 28. with 38 stamps running for 19 days, crushed 716-0 tons for a return valued at £12,952 12s. lOd.