FARMERS’ UNION

Evening Star, Issue 19787, 10 February 1928, Page 10

FARMERS’ UNION

MEETING OF OTAGO EXECUTIVE The Otago Provincial Executive ol the New Zealand Farmers’ Union continued its meeting yesterday afternoon, when a considerable amount of business was put through. ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE. The question of the ward system ot electing the executive was discussed. The secretary outlined a proposed scheme which provided for the division of Otago into lour wards—South Utago, Bruce, Central Otago, and Dunedin. Tlij number of representatives from each ward was set down as follows; South Otago 3, Bruce 4, Central Utago 4. Dunedin 2. Under this system blanches would send their representatives to the provincial conference m the usual way, and delegates from branches in the respective wards would then elect the ward representatives. Failing sufficient nominations from branches delegates representing any ward would have the right to nominate. The meeting agreed to adopt the system. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Interesting details of the co-operative top-dressing experiments at present being undertaken by the fields division of the Department of Agriculture were given by Mr R. B. Tennent (duet instructor in agriculture at Dunedin). The work covers forty-two experimental flats, and the first year’s operations have just boon completed. Excellently finished lantern slides dealing with methods, results, and the effects of the various fertilisers prior to the after harvesting allowed the speaker to give the mooting a very clear ami lucid idea of wlmt bad been done, Mr Tennent explained that be bad come along to show the executive that the experimental scheme which it hud fathered last year was well under way. and promised to produce invaluable results. -A great volume of interesting and profitable data had already been collected. Members expressed keen appreciation of tho work already .accomplished, and gioat pleasure at hearing that tho experiments were to be carried out over a period of five years. Several speakers, testified to tho careful and conscientious manner in which the fields division officers had carried out the work on the different farms. The staff bad worked long hours and in a manner that allowed of the minimum ciror. Mr Tennent referred to bis assistant, Mr A. A. Hume, in this respect, He had carried out tho bulk of the active work in the field, and was to he commended for his energy and diligence. He could assure the meeting" that Mr Hume was a valuable officer to the district, and ono who undoubtedly bad tho interest of the faimcrs of Otago at heart. MILBURN STOCK TRAIN. Tho Milton branch wrote- in connection with the stock train for Milburn. It was stated that the present position was very unsatisfactory, for the stock train lifted Milburn stock at 1.30 p.m., whereas Milton stock was not lifted until 7 p.m. It was decided that a deputation should'wait on tho traffic manager on February 9, but it was eventually thought that more influence could fie'used if the matter was put through the Otago Executive. Another matter referred to was tho fact that Milburn farmers receiving lime in trucks from Hie works to Milburn station were charged railage, whereas lime was carried free on the main lino up to 100 miles. It was understood It was decided that tho secretary should look into tho matter, and also that a good supply of 1 rucks should bo maintained in South Otago. LAND VERSUS INCOME TAN. that the charge was pul on by the Government. It was decided that the question of land versus income tax should bo referred to the provincial conference, and in the meantime to branches for consideration. CERTIFICATION OF SEED WHEAT. Air J. W. Hadfield (Government agronomist at Christchurch) wrote in respect of the certification of seed wheat, advising that in co-opcration with the recently formed Wheat Research Institute Committee set np by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research lie was undertaking the certification of seed wheat. The object was to stimulate the distribution of high qualify, pure, and disease free seed throughout the wheat-growing districts. He felt it was a matter farmers should discuss, and he would be pleased to receive any criticism or suggest ions growers might care to make. Experience would no doubt indicate where improvement could bo effected and details would have to be modified accordingly. RURAL CREDITS. Mr .Preston referred to the rural intermediate credits problem, lie said the way the measure was framed with its guarantee clause was calculated to make tho Bill defeat its own cud. In departing from the commission’s recommendations in this respect tho Government bad undone all the good that tho rural credits scheme was likely to do. It wars disappointing to see the guarantee clause included. It was virtually making a gift to tho loan and agency companies.