FARMERS' UNION

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2169, 6 June 1914, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION

HAWKE'S DAY ANNUAL MEETING. AMERICA'S OPEN DOOR. (By T«lcßraph.-Prete Association.) Naplor, June 5.' The annual meeting of the Hnwke'e Bay Provincial District Farmers' Union was held this morning, Mr. . Selwyn Chambers (provincial president) being in the .chair. , '" " . .: ' In the course of his address the-pre? fiident said that farmers generally had had a very prosperous year. Prices lor all farm .produce had been ■ very.' good indeed, and those- obtained" for wool and mutton combined had" proved tho present to bo an .■'exceptionally- good year. Some of tliosc who had sold their wool early in the season liad-been.dis-appointed that the alteration in tho American tariff, in tile beginning of December last, had not had an immediate result upon the prices obtained.' •' This was, to a great extent; accounted for by tho' fact that when tho. duty was Temoved, there was enough, wool in'.bond to givo sis months' norrnal consumption, and this and other factors had tended to retard the inevitable effect of tho alteration of the American tariff. Tho removal of that tariff was now 'having, a tangible effect in prices, but; in order to obtain the full benefit, growers should bear in mind that it would be necessary to study the requirements of American buyers. Tho prices obtained for mutton and beef had been

very good;.in fact, tho prices for tho year had been a record for the district. Dairy produce had also realised excellent prices. Every year more and more of tho best land m Hawkc's Bay was being turned into dairy farms. "Tho closer settlement of our district," said tho'president, "is a subject which is well worthy of the serious consideration of the Farmers' Union. There is not tho slightest doubt that every man who owns his own farm, or even a small piece of land, is a great asset t<v any district, and Eawke's Bay has dono well in tho number of settlers placed upon tho land. Amongst other lands opened up for selection recently are tho Sherendeli', Wajhaoi, Ahuaturanga, and 'Ota'whao blocks, comprising about 53,000 acres in; all. A total of 2021 applications were dealt with in connection: with those- lands, and settlement proceeded rapidly." . fhe balance-sheet showed receipts totalling £73:35.<8d., and payments £93 15s. lOd./leavihg a bank overdraft of £20 12s. lid. This is covered by.rnembers'subscriptions. . \

' Remits to Conference, Mr. S. Chambers moved the following■ remits" for the 'Dominion Conicr■encb: "(l)'That it be a recommendation to'the Government, when considering the establishment of new country schools,' that the minimum area of land attach-' ed to any such school shall bo increased from two "acres to fivo acres in order that, when the time' arrives, sufficient spaco shall. bo available for practical instruction m agriculture and horticulture " besides leaving ample ,'roora for open-air physical instruction and playing grounds." (2) "That it bo brought under the notice of the Government that tho burning of rank grass along, the railway lino is done at a time whenthero is a great risk of damage to adjoining pastures and that the union considers Waiysufficiont care is not exorcised-in burning tho grass." ".-...■ :..-:,- •.-....- Both remits were carried unanimously. Milk Prosecutions. It was decided that the union deplore the frequent prosecutions for retailing impure and adulterated, milk, and urge tho. Government to take more stringent measures in regard to milk inspection, and, if necessary, increase the penalty for this offence. It wae also resolved that the union compliment the Government on. the firm Bteps taken by them to preserve law and order during the late' watersiders' strike, and also on their efforts to keep tho ports of the Dominion open. Mr. S. Chambers was re-elected provincial president. ■ .