FARMERS' UNION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 207, 27 May 1920, Page 6

FARMERS' UNION

PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE

MANY SUBJECTS DISCUSSED

By Telegraph—Special Reporter.

Folldltlßi May 26. The Wellington Provincial Conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was continued to-day. In connection with the conference .the annual" meeting of the Wellington provincial district was held. The • treasurer (Mr. Thomas ilosa) submitt*. the financial report, which was adopted, it was reported that during the year tile membership had been increased by 530, these, hn. inn mainly accounted for in districts which had been visited by the organiser. The annual report of, the Wellington Farmers' Union Defends Fund waj read, giving particulars of the amounts received from the Sheepownera' Federation. The report on the operatious of the Mutual Fire Insurance branch was cordially received, satisfaction being expressed at the continued progress ot tho branch. The New Zealand Co-onoratlvo Farmers' Distributing Company submitted the annual report for the information (if ireni- | bers. Balance-sheet, On the motion of Mr. S. Jlebuton it was resolved. "That tho chairman of every branch bta supplied with a. confidential copy of the provincial balance-t'bcet. Uniform Subscriptions. In connection with a remit from Pending it, was resolved: "That Bule,lß be altered to fix a uniform graduated subscription of membership throughout tho Dominion." Provincial Status, ' A discussion was taken in committee on tho question of granting the Wairarapa provincial status, and it was reported that tho following motion had peon adopted: "That the Wairarapa sub-provincial district bo wanted a provincial status, as owing to the geographical situation and the bail railway communication bttwoen Palmcrston and Masterton. it is impossible for Wairarapa delegates to attend tho provincial executive meetings in I'almereton North, an inter-provincial cenfcrenco to be held as at prosont, alternately on the East and West Coasts." Imperial Purchase and Control. Mr. ITLea-n (Eaetihi) moved: That tho Farmers' Union protest that the Imperial purchase o£ primary products has not been backed up by proper handling so as to benefit tho consumers."—Carried. Eastern Markets. Mr. J. Balsillie (Palmerstoii North) moved: "That the Government be asked to «" point a representative to investigate tho possibilities of opening up a trade with Kasteru countries with a view to opening new markets for all New Zealand produce." ilia stated that he had information that New Zealand meat was being used in Singapore, and that dried ■ milk was also getting a hold in tho Eastern markets. Mr. F. W. Hubbard sccondod the remit, which was carried. Mr. T. Moss, for Wanganui, • moved; "That the Farmers' L'niou supports the national committee set up by the butter and cheese producers in their endeavours to f&curo an open market for dairy produce."—Carried. '

Mr. W. P. Mathicßon moved tor Gladstone: "That this conference protests airainst the postal authorities makinu any ohariJe far small Imail services,"—Carried. Tho "Farmers' Union Advocate," Mr. J, Whiteman CHutt) moved: "Thai the conferoace Bupoorts tho nronosal to estond the 'Farmers' Union Advoeato' and to use all efforts to promote its circulation."—Carried. Mr, F. W. Hubbard (Tuitca). moved: "That the Dominion Executive arraniro for the publication of articles bearinon the farmers' position and tho priw of primary products."—Carried. Mr. H. Morrison (Masterton) moved: "That tho Government bo requested to ob-. tain the services of a pctrqleuin ceolonito make a complete ecological survey,.to discover if the apparent traces of petrolqum in New Zealand justify borinc operations being undertaken."—Carried. Other Remits. Mr. J. Haycock (MartinborouKh) moved: "That auctioneers be required to tire tin' vendor's name when sellinc -took, as this would be a useful euide to intendine purchasers, for knowing where they have been depastured they will be able to decide if the stock would suit their farmß."—Carried. Mr. A. Buchanan (Palmerston North) moved: "That the conference consider the best meaiiß of obtaining tho co-oncration of milk suppliers in fully developing the milk industry and mnkine the most advantaaeous use of the bj'-produotß' which, in the Manawatu district alone, ure wortli a quarter of a million sounds sterling per annum."—Eeferred back to the Manawatu Bub-provincial Executive Mr. J. E. Whiteman, for the Wellington sub-provinoial district, moved: "That It ho a recommendation to the Dominion Conference to orsaniso an exhibition in tho large centrcß, Betting before the. general public samples of goods, showing the amount of raw material and its cost as supplied by the farraora, and alonirside this tho finished article with the cost to the consumer." It wa» urged that tho ueneral public had a wrong idea that the increased cost of ltvino> -was due to tho oxcessive price obtained by farmorß, and an exhibition on the above lines would lead to less public criticism of the farmin7 community. The rtmiit was carried. Mr. H. 'Maunr-ell (Tinui) moved: "That the motor reeulations bo amended so as to compel drivers of motor-cars and lorries to have reflectors which will show what traffic, in following behind."—Carried.

Mr. W. 0. Twentyman (Hukanni) movod: "That whereas the wages paid for labour 'can be deducted from cross income in the nnsessment of income tax. the conference considers that an ffinstica !b done to farmers' wives engattd in actual farm work by refiißins to allow deductions for eiich services, and therefore the Minister of Finance to allow a reasonable traduction to he made in such cases."— Carried.

Mr.W. D. Carson (Marton) moved: "Thnt in view o£ the advantage of scientiflo farming in the present days of closer settlement and more intense cultivation of the land, it Wa a recommendation to all . ?-i'l c l leß of ,he llnion to further the establishment of technical high schools by assisting where necessajjv in the purchase of suitable and adequate sites."-Carried. Mr. TV. D. Oarßon (Marton) robved: That the conference urge upon tho Government, the great necessity for reform in two national system of education in regard to (1) the extension of thy school ago Mid the reduction of the .size of claßßes; U) the securing of mora trained teacners and to this end the payinir of much better salaries. —Carried. Mr. A. Campbell (Felldlrig) moved: "That tho Government bo urged to stive prompt attention to valuations on lands where a returned, soldier has obtained an option of purchaHe for Eaiuc."—Carried. Mr. A- Robinson, for Waimarino. moved: that the attention of the railway authorities bo drawn to the great losb caused through rough handling of stock, especially fatß, through shunting, while the stock i 6 iu transit on the railways." —parried.

itir. A. Campbell moved: "That the Government be urged to iuvve the oxcesaij* froights and railage" on purebred pigs bought for breeding purposes mtuccd,"— Carrjed. .Mr. A. Robinson, for Waimarmo, moved: "That the Dominion Conferenco be asked to urgo tho Government to aßsist the Lossecs' Association by legislation or otherwise in its efforts to obtuin tho freehold of f.hc 60,000 acres of the Ohutu block, «*iweeu Haetihi and Wanganut."Oarried. It was resolved to endorse the proposal of the Welfaro League to urge tho Government to call together a national industrial conference. Officers Elected, Ofllccra were elected as follow:—President, Mr. W. J. Polßon (Fordell); vicepresident, Mr. G. M'Gregor OVaverley); treasurer, Mr. J. Balsillio (Palmorston North); executive, Messrs. F. W. Hubbard (Mauawatu Sub-Provincial Association), J. A. M'Leavey (Palmerston North), H. Vilo (Palmerston North), T. Fraser (Walkanae), A. Oampbell (Feilding), 11. Booth (Podding), G. h. Marshall (Marton), E. 11. Guthrie (Baugiwahia), K. Paraon6 OVaitotara). K. W. Dalrymple (Bulls), A. Koblinon (Wangunui), A. Stewart (Marton), J. M. Whiteman (Hutt), D. M'Lean (Itactihi); representatives to Dominion Conferenco, Messrs. G. L, Marshall (Marton), 11. Morrison (Masterton), W. B. Mathieaou (Eketuliuna).

It was rgßolved to hold tho next annual conference at Maßterton.

A vote of thanks to tho retiring chairinau (Mr. G. h, Marshall) concluded tho conference.