POVERTY BAY FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2110, 19 June 1907, Page 1

POVERTY BAY FARMERS’ UNION.

PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE

Following is tho conclusion of Mon-; dav’s proceedings, unavoidably held ovor from yesterday’s issue: NOXIOUS WEEDS.

“That there is still good grounds for complaint in the omission of the Government to destroy noxious weeds on Crown lands and reserves, and tin Minister of Agriculture’s attention be called thereto.” Mr. McDonald thought the resolu-i tior. should bo handed,,to the local inspectors’. ‘ ) Mr. Lysnar said tho Gisborne bianch had beon very active in this! question. As far as they knew, the! Department was doing really good work in all directions and ragwort had been kept well in check. Cali-; fernian thistle was on the increase in! this district and something should be' dene. There are farmers who got it; on their property, saying nothing and; doing nothing about it. It was for the Farmers’ Union to say how far they would allow that to go on. He: knew there were some who were do-; ing it. (A voice: Plenty of them.)) It is quite wrong and Parliament; should be asked to see that they do their duty. Otherwise, lie said, nox-; ions weeds were in a satisfactory con-; dition. Regwort was practically hold) in check and had been kept under; through the vigilence of tors in consequence of the Farmers ; Union’s request. The Chairman asked the speaker to move a resolution to the effect that

the Government stamp it out. Mr. Lysnar moved that this Confeionce fully recognised the good work the Department had done in eradicating noxious weeds from this district and would urge the Depart-; ment to use more general and uni-. 101 sal efforts to keep Californian thistle in check. Special provision should bo made for all Crown and Njative lands to see that this and other noxious weeds be not allowed to spread thereon.

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. “ That the Leader of the Opposition, whoever he may be, have the privileges of a Minister in the matter of access to all Departmental books and documents.” Mr. Clayton moved that tho remit bo carried. He thought that in this particular instance the Farmers Union was entitled to take an intelligent interest in the politics of the country. The Leader of tho Opposition to the Government of the day has not the, access to books, figures, statements, etc., that they have in England and Canada. It would greatly benefit tho colony if ho had the access to the documents. He was not looking at it from a party point of view. Mr. Holden seconded Mr. Lysnar suggested that the remit bo struck out. Parliamentary procedure should not come up. The remit was struck out. ORGANISING SECRETARY. “That steps* bo taken to secure the services of an organisin'-, secretary, and that the new executive be instructed to endeavor to arrange ways and means to give 'effect to this.”—: This remit was proposed pro forma. Mr. Clayton said it was very necessary to have an organising secretary to enrol new members, collect subscriptions, etc." It was a question of funds. The executive could go into tho matter. , Mr. Lysnar did not think an organising secretary would help things at all. Tho branches should lielji each other. . Mr. Elliott said that as tar as his bianch. (Motu) was concerned, they di l their own organising. They made it a point of seeing newcomers. The branches should deal with this remit. Mr. Clayton still was of opinion that it was desirable to have somebody to promote the Union as far as prssible Up to this time Mr. Lysnar had been of the same opinion. The Chairman said that personally he thought it was a good scheme-to adopt if funds could be provided. It would not be economical if each branch did its own organising. Mr. Clayton remarked that the ways and means were tho trouble. Mr. Caesar: Get your cake first and eat it afterwards. Strike it Mr. Lysnar said that if tho branches had any surplus funds they could spend it in organising. . On the casting vote of tho Chairman, the remit was passed. POLITICAL ATTITUDE.

“That the Farmers’ 11111011 adopt a stronger and more united political attitude— although not necessarily a party attitude—as this is the only way" in which its influence can be made manifest.” Mr. Caesar proposed that it be confirmed. ~ Mr. Clianibers thought this mattei v/as brought up at the last' Conference. The position ot the Fanners Union, without taking up some definite political stand was a hopeless one. They did not want to turn the Union into a political party, but it had to bo understood that it was entitled to take up such an attitude to help its views. The Farmers’ Union must take, up a more decided stand than it had done in the past. In the matter of election to tin House, the Union carried absoIntelv no weight. He should very ir uch like the Colonial Conference to take up the matter and thresh it cut. The Union should stand together as 0110 man. Some believed 111 a platform and said they did not believe in a ccrUiu -candidate who might support the platform. In such a case the question ol individuals should he suuk. Ho was strongly in favor of this remit-. Mr. Lysnar said he hoped the resolution would not be carried. Mil regard to County Franchise, they had the late Premier’s assurance, that it! would not bo brought up again, and it had not been before the House to his knowledge last rear He gave this assurance exactly If lie did on the Fair Rent Bill. This too, made him (the speaker) lelax his attitude and went a way ill satisfying him that the late Premier was representing the Government 111 a fair and open mind. “Until something is done which warrants us to ccme out,” continued Mr. Lysnar. Mr: Elliott: The Land Bill warrants us. Mr. Lysnar: Wait and see. Mr. Cameron: The time will be too

late then. . Mr. Lysnar: IVe are entitled to express our views and if the Government do not. make it suitable for the Farmers’ Union, then will be the time to act. . - The Chairman : Then it will be.too lato to rise agaiiut the Government. Mr! Lysnar: Until we do it, we are apt to enter into party politics. IVc take two candidates. What more do we want when those men go pledged to support our platform? Mr. Hutchinson: The freehold is in our platform; they are attacking it now. The Chairman: This is not before the meeting at all. The question of party politics is particularly omitted. Mr. Lysnar said they could not adopt a stronger attitude without going into party politics. If a man' sets himself against the planks of the Farmers’ Union, then they would go against that. man. Going back to last election, the Gisborne branch took up a position -of - not entering party politics because both candidates were pledged to tlio platform of the Union. Mr. Elliott: IVo don’t ask a pledge to any one man. It is what a man pledges to ns. If two candidates offer, both supporting the Farmers’ Union platform, then the Union is to ho given a free hand to support either candidate. Mr. Lysnar: Then as that is understood, I havo nothing more to eay.

- .... v , ■ Mr. Clayton Said, the subject croppod up at every Provincial Conference. Ho emphasised , tlie fact that some attitude must be adopted. That was to support the particular man who was to support: their: platform. It was not a question of taking up a partv stand. One point Mr. Lysnar brought up ho contradicted. He spoke of the late Premier opposing the alteration of the County franchise. The speaker was one of a deputation which waited upon him, and ho distinctly said lie could not do what the Farmers’ Union wanted in this matter, as lie favored ail alteration. Mr. Lysnar said the late Premier was in favor.

(Mr. Lysnar -said ‘'that it was probably referring to a later date. ■ Mr.:Clayton' remarked that at present the Farmers’ Union was developing into a debating society. They, were afraid to take a stand, and the soonor they got out of that stage the better.

The Chairman remarked that from remarks which had fallen in this discussion on the same lines; they were.) looking at- it from different standpoints. Every member, he took it, had not tho least objection t-o the; Farmers’ Union mixing in politics, provided they were not of a partv nature. Some belonged to ono party and some to another.

Tho remit was passed. RIFLE CLUBS. “That the question of the formation of rifle clubs h” branches of the l Farmers’ Union be considered, and that steps, bo taken to provide a trophy to be shot for by teams and individuals from different branches.”

Mr. Clayton spoke in favor of this resolution. Ho said the Union should) get rifle clubs wherever there were; branches, with the object of securing the interest of the mincer members.; They became bored b- talking about the Land Bill, and the* deserved all oncouragement and recreation a])-; peals to them. He was prepared to donate a couple of guineas towards a trophy to bo shot for. It would draw the farmers together, especially if: tliev had a trophy, to he shot for by the membors of the Union only. The remit was approved of. SHEEP RETURNS'. “That tho date for sheep returns: be altered to June 30t1i.” Mr. Chambers said the reason for) {suggesting that date was that they, then got down to their winter carry-' ing capacity, which is tho only one to be taxed upon. Mr. Hutchinson moved the resolu-, tion.

Mr. Caesar seconded, and spid he considered the date, 31st April, a great nuisance. The remit was adopted.

LOCAL BODIES REPRESENTATION. Me. McDonald proposed:—“That! tho Colonial Conference he urged! again to resist any attempt liy the! Government to alter the voting forj representation on local bodies, affirm-; in- that only:ratepayers are entitled] to elect the members who hold tho; disposal of the funds of tho same.” ■ Mr. Chambers seconded, members] remarking that this motion was “air old friend.” (Laughter.) Carried: unanimously.

THE LAND BILL. “That no Land Bill-will be accept-4 itk -to -the - settlers of -New-Zeuland! :liat does not contain the optional) :enure.” Carried by acclamation.

THE RAILWAY. “That the Motu branch, while) pleased at the opening of another; section of the Gisborne-Rotorna rail-: way, do respectfully petition that! the district is worthy of even more; rapid extension, and that at least £50,000 or more be placed on the es-; timates for the ensuing year, and so help to give access to the valuable) natural resources of the district.” Mr. Elliott stated that a good many people had laughed at him about the two miles extension, but; he could assiire bis hearers that that) two miles was a very big item. They: should get all the assistance they possibly could.

Mr. McDonald declared that every mile was a great benefit to- those distant settlors. At- the present time three miles were partially constructed, and they wore pushed forward more expeditiously, more especially as the Government have a competent stall' on tho line. He hoped the Government would push on the railway .from Pulm, to Willow Crossing. As far-'. as the timber industry of Motu was concerned, if the line was not pushed on more rapidly, then the whole timber will ho destroyed. Remit carried. EARMARKING SCHEME.

“That the Gisborne branch ol the Farmers’ Union, having investigated Mr. Maddison’s patent ear-mark-ing process, would recommend tho system for the favorable consideration of the Union, but- ill passing tho necessary legislation to give effect to the system the penalty clauses should not be made so drastic.”

lie. Cameron proposed that the remit he transmitted to the Colonial Conference. Tho Gisborne branch went into tho matter and had experiments with the car-mark, and _ drafting, and found that in many instances it had many good points, but while recommending it the branch thought it should be largely experimented with before being made the compulsory car-mark for the colony. Mr. Caesar seconded, saying that it struck him sheep in neighbors’ pons could bo discovered easier than at present. The system included ago car-marks, and the ears were not mutilated. "

The Chairman suggested it would he a good thing if Mr Maddison went down and explained his system. Mr. Clayton stated' that Mr.--Mad-, dison arrived at, the last- conference, too late, after the' conference had risen, hut lie secured the attention of a good number of them, but they could not come to any decision. Mr. Cameron said it needed trial at someone’s place for a time. •It- was decided that a letter bo sent Mr: Maddison, giving him the right to go, and suggesting that lie communicate with the local delegate as to arrangements. ENCROACHMENT OE RABBITS. “That- in consequence of the serious increase of rabbits both 011 the Hawke’s Bay. and IVairoa sides, as well as on the Opoti'ki side, it is urgently necessary for the Government to see that more stringent measures are taken to stop the spread ol rabbits into this district, and that at least two experienced inspectors should be appointed, one to be stationed at Opotiki, and the other on the IVairoa side, with the sole duty to supervise the destruction of the rabbits in those localities.”

Mr. Lysnar moved the resolution, and said the question was an important one. Rabbits were not in the district yet, and he hoped they never would be. They are on the south side of the Moliaka river, and increasing to a dangerous extent. As. shown down south they cross rivers and travel. Some Hawke’s Bay far-: mers had been served with sumonses for not destroying rabbits. It. showed the necessity for exercising: caution and a man had been fined a; few months previously. The inspector’s report added “In fact no worse condition of affairs to niy mind could prevail,” and plainly; stated that- he did not think the! Rabbit Board were doing their duties they should. This report, of course, was contradicted, but. members had ,these very emphatic state incuts to consider. The case he (Mr. Lysnar) had quoted was the locality that the report dealt wit'll, so the;, must bo guarded when they found the newspaper denying that such eondi tions existed. Evidently, said Mr I.•mar, an impression had got abroad that the Gisborne people-said tlie: rabbits were in this district-. “IVe do not say that,” continued the speaker, “hut wc do say that they are within, a reaswabje distance ol-

our boundary, which renders it ini puntivo that the authorities shouli exorcise extreme caution and kee] the scourge back.” The Chairman: AVlw aro the au thorities ? Mr. Lysnar: Tho Government In spector of Stock is primarily rospon sildo. AA’o should communicate o course with the Agricultural Depart cent. I soy -frankly that it is no' in/ intention, nor the intention of any member of this Union, to say a word that will affect and injure ous Southern neighbors 'll the slightest degree. AVe don’t wish to do that but wo do desire to protect our property from an invasion of rabbits.” lie was credibly' informed that on tho Opotiki side the rabbits were very much on the increase. Tho Chairman: 'Tliev were drivon into Hawke’s' Bay from AA’airoa when the bush was cleared. Mr. Lysnar; said he had an old leader-from the AVairoa- Guardian which he could quote, but it was not necessary to go into details. The fact that the rabbits were to the «nth of the Alohaka liver was sufficient justification for the Conference to ask the Department to be vigilant, to station an inspector there to see that the pest was kept properly in check, and that people did their duty. To show tho rapidity with which rabbits increased he was told that they bred six times a year, so that in three years the progeny of a jiair increased to tens of thousands. Air. Cameron He thought it a good suggestion that the Government be asked to acquire a block of bush between the infected area and this district or the AVairoa district. He believed’ it was after the country was cleared that rabbits spread rapidly, and that the thick: belt of country between us and the; infected area had served to check! the invasion. He was told that there ..ere rabbits on tiie other side of Opotiki. .Air. McDonald: 'There have been rabbits there -for the last- 4.0 years; and they have not increased in mini-’ hers.

Air. Lysnar: They aro increasing now, at all events. Mr. Cameron: AA’helher they fare near the Mohaka) river or not they are in the Napier'district. The hush is being rapidly cleared and grassed and there is nothing to prevent the rabbit's coming here but- extermination. I think the Government should be urged to leave a belt- of bush. Tt might to a large extent prevent the rabbits from advancing, for a time .invliow.

The' Chairman (to Air. Lysnar): Would you add to your motion that •the Government be asked to acquire -i block of bush near the Alohaka Mr. Lysnar: No. I think that .wants further consideration. I only mentioned it for us to consider. The executive of the Gisborne branch have had an informal meeting, and ,t is our intention to send either one or two men on a visit of inspection tbiough that country to report upon the actual condition of affairs. That will be ono of the things to consider later, whether the reservation ot bush'is of practical benefit. The report will enlighten us on several matters Air. McDonald, while quite in accord with the steps to bo taken, “did not think much of the bush idea.” Whatever aiea was left would bo cut up, roads and clearings made, so that it would have to be i very largo block to check.the rabbits. It was to the .’interests Of every settlor in Poverty Bay to assist in the movement.

Air. Lysnar: In that locality there would not be many .rabbits. A rabbit .proof road and netting gato would jq effective, I. should say. , ■ Mr. Cameron: With roads the rabbits will have a much easier journey. A Member : Perhaps they will come ir. by rail. (Laughter.) 'Jiie Chairman,: This scourge is a thing like contagious abortion. I daresay people have the rabbits on -their properties but don’t care to talk about it. It- is much better to .pose as alarmists. (.A voice: And quit up a fmice.) No, but not to be taleii by surprise. Mr. Holdcmlkald bn 1 —U...1 perienco m'Hawke's Bay. - As soon as the 70-mile bush became settled the rut-bits came in from AVairarapa and adjoining districts. The measures taken by the AVairarapa people and those beyond Wiitton to exterminate the vermin, simply drove them

through to Hawke’s Bay. lie took it that the rabbits were, forced on to Hawke’s Bay, and without the Poverty Bav people took strong .protective measures' they would find themselves in a similar predicament. Hawke’s Bay did not realise the serici sness of the thing until it was too late, as the rabbits spread over the

district in no time. The only tiling left to do was to appoint rabbiters atid inspectors to keep them down, .and this was done. If preventive measures were taken in time in this district he had no doubt the rabbit could bo kept out, but not otherwise. Air. Clayton reminded the meeting that, in view of AVairoa feeling,, they had. better steer clear of libels. (! a’.’gbter.)

Tho Chairman! This rabbit ouestlon is no joking matter. I saw a littlo of tho pest in Hawke’s Bay, and feMi very grateful that we have not tiio same thing to contend against. Tiie motion was carried unanimously. GRAZING RUNS’ RATING. On this subject a remit read: “That in renewing the expiring leases of small grazing runs, the Government’s attention be called to the injustice of the present system of rating for local purposes on these runs.” Mr. Caesar moved that the remit be struck, out. it would be an injustice to tho small rim-holders, having onlv a couple of years for their leases to run out, to have any alteration made. The leaseholders in taking up the leases knew wliat they were doin''. and presumed that the Government did likewise. It would be very unfair for those who had "one out as pioneers to utilise : tlie land for the Government to repudiate the terms of the orignal leases, and make the holders pay taxes which it was not ori-inally intended they should pay. At present t]ie Government "refunded one-third by way of meeting county rates, etc. I Air. Cameron : Do not the thirds cease after a time? Air. Caesar: A’es, but the Govern-

sent give subsidies also. Air. AleDoniild'seconded; . He did lot think it was the provinco of tho '’armors’ Union to ask the Govettineiit to break contracts with anyone. Afr. Clayton did not think tho re-

mit could have originated in any branch; he did not think the Fanners’ Union would propose such a thing. At the same time it might be advisable to say that similar conditions should not be made in any now leases granted under tho grazing run tenure. ■Air. Cameron : The Government are quite awake to the position. They won’t grant any more leases liko that. Afr. Clayton remarked that tho remit was probably copied from some other Provincial Conference’s agenda

paper. Mr. I.vsnar contended that someone should be in charge of any remit sent in. No good could come from such a resolution ; it was only irritating the position. Struck out. LAND BOARD REPRESENTATION Remit —“That the Government be aslied to give Crown tenants a right to elect one member of the Land Board in each land district.” Air. Klliott: What is the qualification at present ? Mr. Clayton : There is no particular qualification. The members are simply nominated V the Government. ! Air. Lysnar pointed out that as a matter of fact the Government had recently appointed a Crown tenant as a member of the Board from this district, so that they had nothing to complain of in this respect. But, whenever the Land Board question arose complaint was made that they had not a local business man on the Board, from whom information could be obtained as to the Board’s transactions. This was the more necessary as the Board sat in Napier.' He would suggest that the Government he asked when readjusting the Board to give Gisborne direct representation, and that the member be a business man, so as to be available in town when, required. At the present time tlie Commissioner and three members of the Land Board resided in Napier; until a short time a"o two were residing at AVoodville and another in Napier. This district had only one representative on the Board, and he lived up the coast, and was not accessible at all for ordinary business requirements. It was. of course, a great loss to the town when Mr Alatthewson was removed from the

Board, his services being very muc valued both by town and countr people. It must be remembered tlm lie was removed for the sole reason t 1 make room for .a Cjrown tenants’ re presentativo, a request having bee: made from this district for such ai appointment. The Conference shouli ask that ono of the N.apior .member: bo taken off the Board, and a seconi representative b(T appointed frqii Gisborne, for preference Air Alatthow son. (Hear, hear.) Air. Cameron : AA’liv do you advo cate a business man? AA'liy not s farmer? Air. Lysnar : AVe want a man in town. AA r e can’t ride miles out tc see a member when wo require his

services. Air. Cameron explained to the Conference that the matter had come before tile Gisborne branch, and the idea was to ask the Government to appoint two members for this district, as in Napier there are four, including the Commissioner. The latter gentlemen, although they were fair and had treated us fairly, were not thoroughly conversant with the geography of this district. Perhaps Mr. Lysnar’s motion would meet the ease. Personally he thought someone connected with land would be better than a town business man on the "Board, but lie agreed that Air. Aiatthowson pleased everyone. The motion, “That the Government in readjusting the La'iul Board be requested to appoint a local business mail resident in or near Gisborne, in addition to tho present Crown tenant who is a member of the Board,” was unanimously carried.

AGRICULTURAL LABOR. Air. Lysnar moved:—“That owing to the scarcity of agricultural labor tho Government be asked to further! assist in granting reduced passages, and also to provide, by the appointment of suitable agents, that tho most suitable class be selected.” Some such scheme was necessary. The position was practically that in this colony the work had got ahead of the' available labor, and employers wanted more hands. That they should be of a desirable class went without saying.

Mr. Cameron, in seconding, said this was a most important matter to HI liners. There could be no auestion about the scarcity of suitable labor. Agricultural farmers found tliat they could not cultivate as large aroas as they otherwise would, owing to the shortage of farm laborers. “Wo have plenty of money to -ay them,” he added, “but no laborers to pay it to.” Consequently there was a good'deal of land'left untilled —a peculiar state of - tilings it would bo admitted. ‘ Air. Caesar suggested that the motion should include “shearers.” Special rates should, he thought, he ‘riven to shearers coming from Australia. In this district there was a great want of these men. There were people at Alangatu who had not yet succeeded in getting this season’s crutching done. Air. Lysnar: These laborers referred to in the resolution will turn into shearers—some of them. Air. Caesar’s suggestion, not meetin with approval, was not pressed. The motion was then carried unanimously. CONTRACTORS OR WORKMEN? A remit, read as follows:—“That the Government be asked to make the AA’orkers’ Compensation for Accidents Act more explicit, defining clearly between a contractor and a workman.” Air. Lysnar: The more we leave those things alone the better. The distinction mentioned is absolutely defined by the Supreme Court. ■' Mr..AlcDonald: I have been employing labor a good many years, and lave nover yet been able to define between a contractor and a workman. If a man is a contractor and meets with an accident then he holds you liable ofi the ground that lie is a workman. (Laughter.) If it is to his benefit the workman calls himself a contractor. (La ugliter.) Mr. Lysnar: There are some trite Supreme Court rulings on the point. ■Air. AlcDonald : It is to keep out of the Supreme Court that I want it defined. (Laughter.) Air. Lysnar’s opinion. This was ouite sufficient to show there was room for alteration. Air. Cameron: The law is not clear enough for a lavman, any way. Air. AlcDonald: It would save me a few pounds if I knew the difference. Air. Cameron: One lawyer told me there was no occasion to insure contractors, whilst the other lawyer insured the lot, contractors and all. (Laughter.) Mr. Caesar , seconded the , motion, which was carried on a majority vote. CONCLUSION'. The Conference concluded at 6 p.m.

The President thanked members for their strict attention to business. On Air. Caesar’s motion a vote -of thanks was accorded to the President, by acclamation, for his able conduct of the Conference.

HAVE you seen our Furs? AVe have a choice lot, including Stone Marten, Alink, Brown, Boar, Alarmot, Squirrel, etc. English'Sample Furs at 20 p.c. below usual prices. C. ROSIE and GO. •