TRADE REPRESENTATIVES

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1920, Page 1

TRADE REPRESENTATIVES

OTAGO FARMERS .’VIEWS

DUNEDIN, Doc 22. The Executive Council of the Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union met this morning, Mr J. A. M’Pherson presiding. The meeting was specially' called to consider the question of a trade representative at Home to represent the producers of the

Dominion. Tho secretary read correspondence from the various branches indicative of their attitude to tho proposal, all being in support of something of the sort being done, Clinton, Clydesvale, Tapanui and Milton excepted. Mr,John Clarke suggested that some of them seemed to lie doing rather fast. Ho considered tho first aspect of the question to bo considered Was that of finance, and wanted to know wlmt the Government was prepared to do. The expenso would be £IO,OOO a year or more as tho office should be a department quite apart from that of the High Commissioner. The Farmers’ Union could not finance the undertaking. At present it could scarcely' finance its own business in the Dominion. Tho chairman outlined what had transpired at the last Dominion Conference with regard to tho matter. He said it had been fully discussed, and it was the unanimous opinion that there was an absolute necessity for such an appointment of a fully qualified man. The following resolutions were carried:—“That tho Executive affirms the desirability of having a. direct trade representative with headquarters in London, to look after tho business of the producers of the Dominion in the world’s markets. That the Government be asked to invite a representative committee from tho New Zealand Farmers’ Union to confer with it in regard to the appointment and the conditions thereof. A further motion was passed affirming tho principle carried at the Dominion conference that tho salary and office expenses be found by the Govern- 1 ment.

The executivo went into committee to discuss the question of a suitable representative. -Several members considered that this matter could be left over till the Government, had signified its intention of conferring with a committee as suggested. A number r

names of men possessing the necessaryqualifications were mentiorted, and it was pointed out that the other provincial executives were, no doubt, in possession of many others well qualified for the position. Some members.suggest cd that the Government might taler means to advertise the position. The feeling obviously was that whatever appoinmtent was made must be in conformity with tile expressed will of the producers, and that the appointee niiisf devote himself solely to the work for which he was appointed.