FARMERS' UNION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3143, 28 July 1917, Page 10

FARMERS' UNION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

CONCLUDING BUSINESS

The annual Dominion' Conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was concluded in Wellington yesterday. Sir James Wilson presided. The following l'esolutions wero carried:—' Mortgage Interest—"That the Govern, ment Lite Insurance bo asked to allow clients the privilege of "giving three' months' notice for. the partial repayment if mortgages,, instead of the present system of the payment. of three months' interest." Workers' Compensation.—"That when an employer has '"insured his employees in any reputable accident insurance office, in the joint names of tho mortgagee and mortgagor," Sub-sections i and 5 of Section 41 of the Workers' Compensation Act, 1908, should not apply." Book-keeping in Schools—"That in the opinion of this conference tho time has now arrived when tho sixth standard in our primary' schools should be taught book-keeping, particularly as the law now provides that farmers shall keep books and submit their, income accounts to the Department." \ Metric System.—"That this conference ■urge the, adoption of the metric system of weights and measures, and the decimal syst m of coinage, and suggest the . matter be brought before tho Government with a view of having them introduced at tho termination of the war." White Pino "Forests.— I "That in view of the threatened shortage of white pino timber in the near future, the Government be urged to consider the advisability of purchasing suitable areas of white pine forests not at present being worked, which, together ■with similar areas of such forests owned by the Government, would form a reserve (jf white pine timber for the future needs of the Dominion; and that the Government be urged to plant waste lands with trees suitable for butterboxes after tho war." Transfer of Stock.—"That the grave disability'that Marlborough is under in shipping stock to and from the North Island is one that is of importance to tho stock-owners of the Dominion, and the Government should be called on to ■remedy Ms stato of affairs by immediately providing proper stock facilities at tie port of Picton." Control of Guano Islands—"That the Government be urged to obtain the control of guano islands, with a view to reducing the present high prices of fertilisers." Soil Survey—"That a systematic soil

survey should be undertaken as soon as possible after the war."

Diseases of Turnips.—"That the Agricultural Department 1m asked to investigate the cause of dry-rot and club-root in turnips (particularly swedes), which have become so prevalent as to be alarming to those who have to provide winter food for stock.' A remedy is absolutely necessary, otherwise the growing of turnips is threatened with' extinction." Stallion Bill.—"That tho Stallion Bill as .drawn up. by Dr. lieakes and presented to Parliament be ■ made law."

Stock Census.—"That the slock census returns should be made complete by obtaining more detail as to tho classes and ages of stock, so as to provido data on which a correct estimate of the available stock in the-country can bo formed, and that information should bo published as soon as possible annually." . Railage of Horned Cattle.—"That it bo illegal to truck horned cattle after a term of three years from date, show and stud cattle excepted." Officers were elected as follow:—Dominion president, Sir James 6. Wilson (nulls)'; vice-president, Mr. G. W. Leadley (Ashburton); Advisory Committee — North Island, Messrs. E. A. Campbell (Wanganui), T. Moss (Eketahuna). A. A. "Ross (Te Kauwhata); South Island, Messrs. H. D. Vavasour (Blenheim), Georgo Sheat (Dunsandel), J. M'Queen (Inverrargill); treasurer, Mr. W. S. Birch (Marton). The conference concluded shortly after 5 p.m.