FARMERS' UNION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 2, 28 September 1920, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION

MANAWATU SUB-PROVINCIAL \ EXECUTIVE. The monthly meeting of the Mauawatu sub-provincial executive of the Farmers' Union was hold on Saturday. There was a good attendance of delegates, including Mr. S. Bolton, presenting the Woodville branch, which has now rejoined the sub-provincial. Mr. F. YV. Hubbard (president)- was in the chair. The secretary and organiser (Mr. G. C. Moon) reported that since last meeting 33 new members had joined tho nnion, and two members who had left had rejoined. During tho month subscriptions had been collected amounting to .£46 12s. 6d., the credit balance at the bank being I £m 9s. Bd. A letter was received from the Immigration Department announcing that the Imperial Government, which was granting free passages to any ex-service men lor women wiho had solved in the recent war, and who wished to tho Empire overseas, had decided to extend this privilego to lads from 17 to 20 years of aee who were too young to servo in the Army during the war. The lads were willing to take farm work as farm labourers, some of them having had farm-, ing experience. In addition to free passages, their outfit would also bo provided. The executive was asked to supply information as to the number likely to be required in the Manawatu district. —Tho secretary was instructed to endeavour to get the information required. A letter was read from the provincial secretary forwarding a motion passed by the executive favouring the adoption of the Auckland scheme for collecting members' subscriptions _ through the various trading.concerns with which they dealt. —It was decided not to endorse the proposal. The Dominion secretary wrote forwarding copies of the prospectus of tbo "Farmers' Union Advocate," which it was intended to enlarge and improve and make a paper thoroughly representative of the farmers of the whole Dominion. He asked that the executive should do all in its power to get the share list filled up as soon as possible, and it was lesolved to comply with the request. Mr. J. R. Simpson, of tho head office, was present, 1 and gave a good deal of information on the matter. The delegates to the provincial executive reported that they had brought the matter of dealing with remits undel> the notice of tho executive, wihich had rulwl that sub-provincial executives had a perfectly »frco hand an dealing with reniit6, provided they did not conflict with the polioy or platform of the union. The secretary reported that he had had no reply to ihis letter to tho Minister of Trade and Commerce pointing out that the farmers were not represented on any «f the local boards of control, and he was instructed to again draw the attention of tho Minister to tho matter.

Attention was colled to tlio fact that tho delegates from several branches had been absent from the executivo meetings for soine considerable time, and'the secretary was instructed to inform such branches that their delegates must attend ox 1 they must dlect 6ome other persons who could do so. 'i'he following remits wore dealt with which had been sent to branches for consideration :— ■ i Prom Woodvllle—"That it is absolutely necessary in the interests of breeders that only men qualified to advise farmers in cases of ordinary ailments in 6toclc generally should be appointed as stock inspectors."—This was carried unanimously, and tie opinion was expressed that refresher courses for inspectors, which wore at one time held by the Department, should be reinetituted. The secretary was instructed to bring the matter under the notice of the head of ■ the Agrioultural Department. From Woodville—"That a strong protest be mado against the excessive charge being made by the Postal Department on rural telephones, and that the old scale should be continued, more especially in tho 'back-blocks settlements." Prom Kauwhata—Urging the Government Daily Division to inaugurate a 300day class under the semi-official test for pedigree oows, sucli cows to freshen again under twelve months, this being the most practical test for dairy farmers. Suoh test to be in .addition to the present 365-day test, under which cows have to freshen again within 15 months.—This was carried, and it was pointed out that while the present test was in tho interests of pedigree breeders who kept highclass cattle for sale, .the test proposed would bo of considerable advantage to dairy farmers, who required their cows all to. come in at about the same time, and it would allow of their animals being tcstod under natural conditions. The secretary was instructed to king the matter under the notice of tho DepartFrom Kauwhata-Urging that the Prime Minister should bo neked to take steps to put New Zealand butter producers in. tho same position as their own kith and kin in England, Ireland, and Scotland, and give them the samo marketing conditions-Approved, and ordered to be sent on to the Prime Minister. Itomits were received from Kauwliata and Tiritea expressing warm approval of the action of the executivo in dealill!' direct with remit; whioh they considered as matters of urgency, and on the motion of Mr. H. Bond a vote of thanks was passed to the secretary for (he action ho had taken in pushme on he remit from Eangwtu, which dealt with anti-abortion treatment in cows. The following remit from Kauwhata was approved to go out to branches:"Tliat every branch of the Farmer. Union throughout the Dominion do immediately start a campaign through the Prei to answer all correspondence and contradict statements that farmers are xpl ting the public Also, «»t information be gathered from various dairy farmers showing flnanciiil rwiults *f" operations over a period of five years. V remit from Kauwhata urging the Government to prohibit the importation „Ms|'k o eaa pulp was endorsed, it be--1 Sntednfnft&t a largo number of mailed returned soldier*, wore now deSeiit on the poultry industry for a fvng .and the competition of ho foreign nulp was distinctly unfair to them. The secretary was instructed to bring tho matter under tho notice of the Pninj Minister,