PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 208, 28 May 1919, Page 2

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS

THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ■ FARMER. The president delivered his annual address'. Ho congratulated the conference on metiw.vjn the new Institute buildings, and said it was very satisfactory to think tho farmers had been far-sighted enough to build such a splendid central mooting place,' where the interests of the farming community could be concentrated. Their own company, tho Fanners' Distributing Company, was already established in tho now building, and the Dominion secretary, Mr. Jack, must feel he was now under the paront roof. "During the last twelvo months," continued Mr. Marshall, "we havo passed through a most stronuous time, and it is wonderful to my mind how the necessary work has been got through during tho past season. Not only were we left verv shortJianded on account of tho war, lint at the busiest time tho influenza epidemic raged throughout the land, and yet tho shearing was completed without any very serious loss, although doubtless many people were in great difficulties. Dairymen felt tho shortage of hands even inoro than tho she'npfarmor, and they are to be sincerely congratulated for the wav in which they stuck to their work in tho faco of suoh difficulties, and the women folk, too, doscrve great credit, for in many cases they kept the dairy herd going while their men folk wero too ill to work.

"An unfortunate aspect of our nffnirs which I want to-allude to -is the further attempts which the Government lias niado to interfere villi and control the prices of our primary produce. This interference lo trade can only hava ono result, viz., to reduce' prodiictinn. • At this time when all and sundry are talking about tho necessity for increased production to enable us to faco tho greatly increased yearly expenditure dun to the war, it is surely the height of folly for tho Government to put an embargo on the export of potatoes. You know what an uncertain crop they are to grow. Growers sometimes lose all they put into tha crop when blight destroys it, and then when a chance conies to recuperato themselves for their labour an embargo is put on the export of the surplus, so as to reduce tho price. I havo not heard of anyone suggesting that a grower who loses his crop through diseaso should bo recompensed for his loss. A Bad System. "Tho whole system is wrong, and is bound to react on the community. Tha Government discouraged tho. growing of wheat bv offering an unpayable prico tho season before this, How different was the attitude of, the United States Government. They offered the farmers over 9s. per bushel to induce them lo grow as much as possible, and are now exporting to Europe an enormous quailtitv at more than lis. per bushel. Growers will not troublo to grow 6iich troublesome crops as potatoes and wheat if thev are subjected to interference, and J. hope the union will'put its whole force into protesting against any further exploiting of the producers in this Way. As a war measure it may havo been useful, but now it will be detrimental to the production of tho eountrv. No doubt it is a political move to catch tho votes of the dissatisfied, part of the population at tho coming elec- | Hon which will probably tako place this

"This election will have an important hearing on the future of tho Dominion, ! and it is high timo tliat the farming community bestirred itself to exert a greater iiifluenco in this political arena. But wo can do nothing unless wo are organised into a corporate body which can be relied upon to giro a block voto for or against candidates in tho various constituencies. ■ Your Executive Committee thought that the timo was opportune to make a- move in this direction, and an organiser has been appointed with the object of strengthening the union in this province, and at tho time of the eleetion I hope the union will be strong enough in each country constituency to at lenat impress upon,aspiring politicians the fact that they will have the active support or opposition of a ■;olid boclv of producers, which vriH materially affect their chance of election. Still Progressing. "In spite of the difficulties with which the producer is faced in tho future, difficulties not unconnected with the ship ping ring and freights, and tho power of the Meat Trust, the value of both • agricultural and pastoral amis continues to advance. This should ensure grejiter production in order to make tho land pay interest on the purchase price. In fact it seems ns if those peoplo who have not the ability to farm their land to advantago aro glad to sell out to their more progressive neighbour. In this way much land is being ■ acquired by those who are best able to mako it profitable, as it is only good farmers who are able to buy land at.the present prices and make it pay. At the same time it should be tho object of all who wish for the true welfare of tho country to seo as many settlers comfortably sottlcd on. tiie land us is possible, "Tho small settler is tho -bnckbono of ihe country, ho works longer hours and puts more energy into his work than any other section of tho community, and this, after all, is what counts in the building of iv nation. Genuine endeavour, tho overcoming of difficulties, tho improvement of land and tho building up of a homo aro sources of real satisfatd'ion to tho genuine settler and of real worth to tho country. Tho prospects for the future of this oountry aro bright indeed. It has proved to tho world that when lighting is required wo havo tho best material to hand, and whon fighting is over our young men aro quitu rendy to beat all comera at rowing, football, or any other sport. I believe the climate is 80 favourable for tho breeding of stud stock that before long wo shall bo exporting high quality animals to all parts of tho world. This is a most important point and every, endeavour should bo made to see that all stud stock exported

is of the highest quality, such as will ensure a keen demnnd in future years, "You will have noticed that Mr. Massey has succeeded in securing for New Zealand one-thin! interest in the island of Nauru. The phosphates deposits on this island arc said to be inexhaustible, and I hope wo shaii soon be in ft position to bring the raw material direct to New Zealand, and manufacture it hers instead of sending it to tin, othe:side of the world to be dealt with. Mr, Massey deserves the gratitude of all land owners for tho able way In which ho lias represented New Zealand in this as well as in many other matters at the great Peace Conference.

"In conclusion, gentlemen, T ask you to conduct your deliberations in a broad-minded and liberal spirit, that the conclusions wo arrive at may lie for the true and lasting benefit of" this country, which although yet in the making has already shown signs of the great future which lies before it." The New Institute, Sir James Wilson welcomed the delegates. Ho said tho Distributing Company had been an outcoino of the union, and the fine institute in which they were now meeting .was an offshoot of the company. Jt had been an .mfortunate fnct in the past that the "armors were i.ot. often seen in Wellington. The city .uus bound to bo tho most imuortant centre in New Zealand, but it was at the wrong end of the province from the point of view of the formers. The instituto building had been'erected in tho hope that it would be a point of focus for the farmers in Wellington, and would bring farmers into closer touch with the business men of tho city.. The intention was to centre tho farming interests iu tho now building. It would be a meetingplace and a city home for tho farmers. He was glad that it had been found possible to secure a freehold -ection, close to the sito of the new laihvay station and the ferry wharf. The building was in tho middle of the mercantile centre of Wellington. The Council of Agriculture and the Board of Agriculture were already located within its walls,, and ho liopod to see tho Department ot Agriculture housed on tho seotion immediately beside tho Institute. Another'proposal was to turn the two' top floors of tho building into a sort of private hotel, with a tea-room and a restaurant,,for the tse of farmers visiting Wellington. The consideration of remits was then undertaken.

- Land Banks. • Mr. J. A. Packer (Hultanui) moved tho following remit: In view of the necessity for increased production _t he Government bo urged to establish land banks wherever close settlement exists, in order-to assist small farmers to bring their holdings into a higher state of cultivation, Tho movor emphasised the farmers' need of financial support, in order that fnnns might bo improved and production increased, Tho war had been financed bv n vast extension of the credit system, The same system on n much smaller scojo had been used with great success through land banks in other countries.

Mr. 11. Morrison (Masterton) seconded (he motion, and said that land banks would do a great deal to support the returned soldiers, Tho prinolplo of cooperation was behind the hind banks,, which would bo of enormous assistance to men with small capital, ' Mr. H. A. Kevins (linni) said ho had found among farmers a dislike, for the "joint and several" form of liability. If ten men borrowed money on joint security, and one did not pay, tho other nine were liable, lie was not convinced that Now Zealand needed land Banks, The Government gave a great deal of financial assistance, and the financial institutions .also did much for tho farmers. He did not think the union should ask tho Government for land banks without first putting forward a definite scheme.

In the course of discussion delegates said the security behind a land bank would bo ample. The ordinary banks had (.'really -increased their note issue during Hie war, and at the eanio time tliev had withdrawn the gold basis. In other words, there had been a huge extension "of credit.- Tho. credit of the New Zealand farmers should be good enough to put-,a land bank on a perfectlv secure basis. It was suggested that tho-federated farmers of New Zealand should have their own hank.

- "If we Ret cheaper money, they will immediately raise the price of land thirty or forty per cent., and wo will be no better off than we were before," snid Air. Mr. W. Douglas (Tumi). . "God forbid that we should have any more Civ ! ) Servants," said another doleKate. ■ '

Mr. A. J. Packer (Hukanui) snid tho "ioiiit and several" risk in a land bank was' vcrv small indeed. The risk was distributed over thousands of men under tho French system. 'The American land banks ha.d abolished the "joint and several" basis altogether. The point to be remembered was that a properly-or-ganised land bank could start men on productive farms, whereas imi ordinary bank of deposit merely enablod them to 6pend their lives trying lo got a start. The'remit was rejected on the voices. . • Railway Matters. The following remits were received from Greytown:— That the Railway. Department be requested to arrange faster carnage of choose and butter. from the factories to cool stores in Wellington, < That the attention of the Railway > Department be drawn to the faot that tho Government grader has reported to certain factories that their cheese has arrived in cool store? in Wellington with large pieces iut out of the cheese. ,

Delegates mentioned that the Railway Department had repudiated responsibility for tho damaged cheese. The following remit from the Nireaha branch was also considered:— That the attention of the Minister of Railways be called to the unsatisfactory regulations exempting the Department from rosponsibilitjvfor thn short delivery of consignments of cheoso at tho Harbour Board's grading stores; Mr. A. Pryde (Nireaha) snid the Department had refused responsibility on the ground that' the grading store was a private siding. Ono factory had* lost two crates of cheese and it. had received no satisfaction from the Department. Mr. J. Smith (Taihnpe) snid tho Department had tho responsibility of a common carrier. It could be brought to book by legal process. ' <- Mr. 'J. Hare (Eketahuni) mentioned that several losses of cheoso from railway trucks had been reported in ins district, „..,,,,-, Mr. H. A. Nevins (Tinui) stated that the Department had refused to accept liabilitv for three crates vt cheese dial had fallen from tho open door of a wagon while being carried !o Wellington Ho had been able to sell the damaged cheese for more than the Imperial .Supplies Department would iwo paid lor undamaged cheese. The remits were adopted. Rimutaka Deviation, Mr. A. Ross■ (Tinui) movod tho following remit:-- , That thfe nooessity for a deviation to tiio Kiuiutuka inclino bo brought before the Ministor of Railways as a .- work wliioh should bo immediately ' taken in hand. • While tho deviation is of \itnl interest to tho Wairarqpa nnd Dusli Districts, it is also of provincial importance, as it will enable a larger portion of the Hnwko's Bay traffic being sent via Wairarmia, and thus relieve tho congestion on the

Manawatu line. Mr. Koss said thut need of the dovintion need not bo argued. Tho Government ought ttf undertnko this work at onca. Tho money could bo found nnd tlio necessity was urgent, Mr. It'. 'Morrison (Maslorton) said that tho Jim* had been put in tho wrong place, and tho annual cost of unnecessary Imulngo over tho incline was at least' i! 13,000. The incline meant delay ami' damage to slock! Tens of thousands of tons of produco and material had to bo hauled over tho hill when a shorter and better routo was available. Mr. S\. 3. Mathcson (Ekotahuna) saia everybody knew tho deviation ought u, be undertaken. But thoro wcro opposing sections of opinion in tho Wairarapu as to tho now route, and Ministers hud not had tho courage to offend cither 6ide. Tho farmers ought to press tho matter without pause. Several other delegates urged tho liu portanco' of the deviation. - Tho president said tho troublo vat dim

to Government control. A private cotupany would have dono the work yeare ago. . Tho remit was adoptcu. State Forestry. Mr. W. B. Mathcson (Eketdhuna; moved:— * » That tho Government tie persistently pressed until it takes more active steps to put the Department of forestry in working order. Ho said tho waste of ivcw Zealand's timber resources was still proceeding, and it would Hot bo cheoh'ed until proper forestry organisation was provided. Tho rising price mid 'increasing scarcity of timber wero both vcrv strong arguments for immediate action.

Delegates mentioned the destruction of forest on tho Tararuas last season by extensive fires. These fires appeared to have been started by campers. The remit was adopted. The following remit, forwarded by the Waverley branch, was also adopted-.— . That tho State Forestry Department 1« asked to endeavour to establish plantations on some, of the eand wastes on tho Crown lands. •Mr. A. Howio (Waverley) said experience in other countries, France, for example, had proved that sand wastes could be converted into highly profitable areas by tho planting of trees. Tho remit was adopted. Town-planning. Mr. A. Leigh Hunt (Wellington Central) moved tlie following remit:—. That the conference accords its hearty support to the passing of a Town-planniug Act providing for town-planning in its widest 6onse, witli provisiort for the laying,out on

modern lines of village settlements in rural districts. ,_■ Mr. Hunt said that the improvement of the health of the people and tin* re. moval of slums, which were simply tin breeding places of unrest, wero matter* of direct importance to the farmers.

Mr. J. Smith (Taihape) said that, neglect of housing had been a cause of loss to tho whole oommunity. Man was tho prime factor in the State, and the war had ehown the importance of an effort to rniso the physical 6tandard of the people. ' Mr. E. M'Donald' (To Horo) pointed out that town-planning was going to include the establishment of industrial villages in the.country districts. The move' ment of population out from the oit/. ■ into the country was one of tho objects, of tho town-plannors. Mr. H. Morrison (Masterton) emphasised the importance of the housing question in the country districts. The epidemic had proved the inter-dependence , of town and country. Mr. Hi A, Nevins (Timii) suggested • that measures designed to increase the attractions of the towns might not be to the advantage of the country, There was room for improvement in the country as well as in the town?. If some city children lacked good homes, there wero country children who needed better educational facilities. ■ The remit was adopted. War Loans. • t Mr. J. M. Whit.eman (Upper Hutt) moved, for Wellington Contra!:— ' .

That tho conference strongly opposo any further i6s.uo of War Loans . s free of income tax. The mover said that the issue of loans freo of income tax* was unfair to tha small men. It enabled big investors to evade their share of taxation. Several 'delegates supported tho remit. Mr. A. Eobinson (Wnnganui) objected to tho remit. Many farmers had been compelled to borrow money in ordor to . take up War Bonds. Tney were not allowed to delduct interest from their income, and the remit proposed that they ( should pay income tax In addition to interest. : Mr. 11. Morrison (Masterton) said it was late to change the conditions of war Joans. The last loan was being raised now. Some men had sold their, farms' at low prices and invested the money iu War Bonds in order to assist the Government. Mr. W. B. Matheson (Eketohuna) urged that the principle of exempting any form of wealth" from taxation was unsound.' Other delegates said that men who had lent money to tho Government at i\ per cent, had made a sacrifice, 6ince thoy could have got 0 per cent, outsider The addition of taxation would be unfair. The president (Mr. G. L. Marshall) said Sir Joseph Ward had explained that he could not get the .millions he needed without.offering attractive terms, and that if lie offered increased rates of interest the cost of ; money would ■ rise throughout New Zealand.

Mr. Whiteraon, in reply, said it would have been just ns fair for the Government to take money compulsorily at a fixed rate of interest as it had been to lake wool nnd daify produce in the 6ame way. No man should be able to .contract out of his sharo of his countrv's liabilities, ■ Tho remit was rejected. Cattle Tick, Tho following remit, forwarded by Fentherston, Makuri, Martinboroughy and Tinui, waa discussed at some length :— That the. Government be requested to take drastic steps to eradicate the cattle tick, niid place a strict Quarantine on the infested area; arid that a tax be levied on all cattle in New Zealand to provide funds for a . speedy extermination of the cattle tick. Delegates approved of measures to eradicate tho tick, but several objected lo the proposed tax, Tlroy pointed out that compulsory dipping had eradicated sheep scab. A similar process would prevent the spread of tho lick.. An aniondment deleting the taxation proposal from the remit was carried on a show of hands by 20 votes to 18. Tho remit as amended was adopted, with aii added clause urging tho Govern-* went to prevent the conveyance of infection by means of cattle trucks.

Foot-Rot. Mr. A. Ross (Tinui) moved: That die Agricultural Deparlineat be requested to take' stops to make it an offence for farmers to offer for talo in a public saleyard sheep suffering from foot-rot or scald. Ho said tho union should not countenance "such a dirty trick" as tho salo of infected 6tock. Several delegates argued that tho proposal was impracticable. Some district j had scarcer any clean flocks, and other districts did not object to foot-rot infection because the cure came naturally in their country. Tho remit was rejected. Earmarks. / Mr. T. 0. Haycock (Martiriborough) moved: That tho Agricultural Department be requested to compile and print a list of earmarks registered by farmers in each county, such list to bo supplied en application; He said it was a common experience to muster sheep with nn unfamiliar earmarl;. Tho spread of information about earmarks was desirable from every point ot viow. Mr. 11. Morrison (Mastcrton) advocated a universal age mark. Delegates pointed' out that an age mark was illegal, though many men were using it. Tho remit was adopted. Hydro-Electric Power. A remit sent forward by Rkctahuna and tmui directed the executive to press for an early start on the development of hydraulic' powor at Mangahno, for tho supply of the Wellington district. Mr. W. 1!. Matheson (.Eketahuna) in supporting this remit, said ho liad learned that tho Government hnd actually made a start with tho preliminary works. If tho people of tho Wollingfon' district saw what cheap power, had dono for Canterbury, 'they would not bo content to accept delays in tho completion of tho local scheme. The conference adjourned until this morning.