FARMERS, UNION CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3046, 5 April 1917, Page 8

FARMERS , UNION CONFERENCE

SUBJECTS FOE. DISCUSSION, Included in the remits to the annual provincial conference .of the Auckland Farmers' Union. which (says the "Star") is to take place from May 32 to 25, is one asking that tho alleged action of tho American Meat Trust ia Now Zealand be a matter for the consideration of ihe conference, and that means bo taken to combat that body. Remits from tho branches north of Auckland refer principally to aliens and enemy subjects, and mostly protest against them being allowed to buy (and or dema'nd excessive wages at this serious time, when'labour is so scarce. ;Tho general opinion seems to be that such enemy subjects should bo conscripted and their labour utilised on fanna or public works at ' a rate of wage not exceeding the rate paid to our soldiers. . There are several remits touching upon the Military Service Act ; one being that before'the Second Division is called ■up for military service, tho First Division.be extended to include single men up to 50 years of age. There is also""a suggestion that the Government bo asked' to conduct the whole of tho ballots for tho First Division at once, so that; farmers would'know tho exact date they would have to go into camp, and Tiavo moro time to arrange their affairs; the same procedure to ;he followed by the Second Division. ,;. A remit which is bound to cause a lot of discussion is one suggesting that the Finance Act. be repealed; and that the necessary revenue T>e raised by- an export, property; and income tas. : Ono branoh requests the conference to urgo the Government to introduce legislation to provide for tho confiscation of all unearned increment accruing from: land. . ■ > '■. '," ' One of the Waikato branches wishes the conference to nrge upon tho Government the importance of the nationalisation; of: the land and the conscription of labour as being the only means of keeping up the 'production of tho country and safeguarding the interests of men who have gone to the front. In spito of the shortage of labour and the busy season.there appears to ■be Jio diminution in the number of remits to-the conference. ■ ■ The Hon." W. D. S. Mao Donald (Minister of Industries) mentioned at,a mooting in Invercargill on Saturday' that up to the end of last' weefc the Government had paid the New Zealand producer £15,500,000 for meat .purchased on behalf of the Imperial authorities; £9,000,000 had already been paid for wool, arid '£1,500,000 for cheese. , An orchard requisite that is _ indispensable (is bluestone, which is imported in large quantities. At a meeting of the Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers' Association, when considering the ques tion of; indenting orchard requisites. Mr." Wilson, jun., stated' that there were deposits of bluestono at Woodville and Milfpfd Sound, and suggested that the Government be asked to report on the matter. It was resolved that a Temit to that effect be sent for consideration at the annual conference. •.More and more Cheese Factory managers are awaking to the profit-prodncinK qualities of Victor Vats. The eloping bottom and middle drainage make for a quick and complete elimination of whey. Orders aro.beinff executed in rotation— you should certainly get details. Write at your earliest to A. J. Parton, Sheet Metal Works, Carterton.—Advt.