FARMERS, UNION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 270, 3 August 1918, Page 10

FARMERS , UNION

I , CONFERENCE ENDS ;. ■ FINAL DAY'S BUSINESS I The Dominion Conference of tho New : Zealand Farmers' Union wae concluded in Wellington yesterday afternoon. Sir ■ ■ James Wilson presided. i :■ Officers Elected. ! The following officers were elected:— i Dominion Dresident, Sir James Wilson; : vice-president, Mr. G. W. Leadley; ad- '; visor.y committee, Messrs.,-E. A. Camp--j bell.j'. .Moss. J. Boddie. H. I). Vava- : sour,' G. Sheat. and J. Jf'Qucen; treasI tiler, Mr. W. J . Birch; auditors, Messrs. Uutherford and O'Coiinell. ■ The following remits were passed:— . . Phosphates and Manures. !.<_ Auckland.—"Thiil as the farmers were I" given' to believe that the British Gov- ! erument promised tho New Zealand Gov- [ eminent certain interests in Pacific IsI land phosphates, iind we now understand ; that tome large syndicate has purchased •■■ those interests, we. therefore ask that : the New Zealand Government make inj quiries." • Auckland.—"That tho conference i etroncly urges the Government to seI cure for New Zealand a suitable, phosphatie deposit, and that it arrange that :\ -immediate supplies be available." ; ■ Southland—"That (he Government be ; figain urged to keep steadily in view the ■ Requiring of some of the phosphatic isj. -.lands of the Pacific." ■ Production. I Taranaki.—"That tho Farmers' Union ;- <io all in its power to induce farmers to i go in for growing agricultural seed, and ■■ that the Agricultural Department be ; asked to colluborale as to districts ana ■ soil suitable." i Dry-rot in Turnips. ; Southland.—"That the Agricultural ' '.Department be urged to make every ini . .restigation in regard to 'dry-rot' in turnips." : Rabbit and Bird Pests. : Auckland.—"That the rabbit nuisance • having reached an acute stage in various parts of ths Dominion, tho Govern(ment be urged to reduce the area in i which at present it is lawful for rabbit ! boards lo operate, so as to more effec- ' tivcly deal with the pest." Southland.—"That this conforenco I iake into consideration the best meth- . , oils of coping with the rabbit and bird • ' pests, with a view 'to farmers being '. urged to adopt united and systematic ■ ■ efforts for their eradication." -. Sale of Impure Seeds, . . Taranaki.—"That the attention of the • Government bo drawn to the spreading .; of noxious weeds in Taranaki through : the importation of weed infected Reeds, and that more drastic action should bo ; taken to prevent the sale of impure • ' seeds." Stock Auctions. •• Wellington.—"That- the slock auction- : eers be compelled to state the names of the vendors of stock put up for auc- \ iion." - Carbonising Machinery. : Wellington—"That the Government bo urged to facilitate, by every means in . their power, the importation of machin- ; ery for cleaning seedy, and dirty wools." ; , Seedy Wools. ; the attention:' of : tho Dominion Conference again be drawn I- , to the fact that seedy wool, especially ' cvutelvings, arc still being sold at less : than pre-war rates." i. Stallion Certificates. ; Nelson—"That nil stallions travelling : should have a Government certificate as to. soundness and type." j Land Agents' Licenses. Taranaki.—"That land agents should be proficient in drawing up agreements I . for sale and purchase before being grant- \ eel a license. Licensed Motorists. i Wellington.—"That '.all drivers of ' motors must hold a license, which may ', he suspended or withdrawn on proof beI fore a' magistrate of careless or wild '■: driving." '. Horsß-stsaling. Auckland.—"That the Government be ' requested to amend the Act dealing with ■ ihorse-stealing in such a. manner that uriy person removing a horse not his own i cuii be prosecuted for theft." Payment for Sacks; / Auckland.—"That in tho opinion of . this conference the farmer, should be paid 'sacks extra' for grain and chaff." Picture Films. Auckland.—"That it is desirable that ■.to committee should be formed, of which , [half should be ladies, to censor picture i films, and Uml this important duty i should .not be left in tho hands of one ' wan, as at present. That the present : system is unsatisfactory is shown by fre- : fluent letters to the Press, and by our i Magistrates continually commenting ; 'upon the sad offect of some films upon ! young people." Weight of Lime and Manures. ;' Taranaki.-"That manufacturers and i .Vendors of fertilisers be urged that lime ; >nd manures be packed in lewt. .bags." ; Farmers' Shipping Company, !. •'Auckland—"That this conference ap- : Jiruvea- of a scheme by which the pro- . clucers and farmers' co-operative comJmnies of* the Dominion could own their own ships, and eventually disposo of ■ ihi'iv own produce." i Wellington.—"That the Dominion Executive further confer with the Fanners' I Co-operative Wholesale federation in cider to forward the movement towards owning and controlling their own ship- , ping, that they may be ready for iin- . mediate action when peace comes." ! Shipping Space. Wellington.—"That the Government be requested to give'full preference in shipping space to all requisites for ifsential Industries, and thc.t their attention bo called to the need of ensuring the necessary shipping frois India for carrying bales anil sacks to New Zealand in time ,for next season." ; Marlborough.—"That the Government be .strongly urged that in the allocation :of shipping 'equitable, consideration : should be given lo small works which should have allotted lb them their fnll proportion of shipping space." : ' Price , of Wheat. The following Auckland remit was .agreed to:—"That the Government be .urged to raise the price of wheat to at least Vs. 6d. per bushel for. tho coming 'season,- as under the present conditions it cannot he grown profitably for less." [ Compensation for Losses. It was resolved.—"That the Minister ;of Railways be approached to see- if |6omething could not be done to safeguard or compensate farmers for loss sustained by fires lighted by sparks from railway engines." ■ ' Education Matters. ; The following resolutions were passed: —"That iho Minister of Education bo urged to carry through a substantial in•crease of teachers' salaries, as a sound |etep towards national efficiency." i "Th;:t the Fanners' Union strongly- re:preser.t to the Education Department that the education and training provided in rural schools should bo of such a mature as to lead the children to take ■ii greater interest in their surroundings !nnd foster in them a preference for rural ;life amhwork." ; "That tho Government be asked to [provide farm schools for the education ■and training of all rural workers, in the 'science and practice of agriculture." The following Otajo remit Vas, on the'iidvico of the conference, withdrawn by the mover:—"That this conference

strongly urges the Government not only to resist all attempts to encronch upon tho national system of education, but also without delay to make provision for improvements and extensions necessary to enable tho nation successfully to cope with , after-war conditions." Finger-Posts. On the motion of IFr. Ti. Dunn (Auroa) it was resolved:—"That the various county councils bo urged to erect fingerposts at all junctions of mnin roads and by-roads with main roniLi, for tho guidance of the travelling public." . Railway Telephones, It was resolved:—"Tlint all officered railway fitations be connected wilh tho local telephono bureau in their respective districts for the convenience of set-tk-rs receiving goods and requiring trucks." Goods Lost on the Railways. i Conference was unanimous in passing the 'following:—"That the attention of the Railway Department be called to the fact that sacks of grain and other goods are being lost between stations of loadin:,' and destination, and that steps bo taken to remedy tho existing evil."