FARMERS’ UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1925, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION

The quartc; ly meeting of the Prnvinei.il Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held oil Saturday last at Greyimuitli. .Present: Messrs W. Clayton (president), 1). Jollie, L. A. Dilely (Avaliura), W. Cowan (Rolomnnu), W. K. At orion (CreymmitlD. U. U Paine (Inangrhuii Valley). 11. (L Carter (Xgahere. H. K. Wylde (Punakaikait and G. M n|. are (se< rotary).

A letter was received from the secreU’.rv of the Kalahari branch asking

for .'I i emission of arrears. The chairman said it was proposed to conduct an organising tour of the whole of the branches, when tin* matter could lie gone into and the organisation improved. .Members expressed the opinion that ns the branch had about L’d members and the district was a prosperous one it should pay at least twelve months’ dues out of the amount owing. It was finally decided to adopt this course and to remit six months’ dues. The secretary’,s action in advising the Dominion Executive that the West Coast branches were opposed to a subscription of HIM per luiniiin. including a free issue of the “Farmers’ "Weekly," was endorsed, but members expressed the inn that the paper should he supported, as it existed lor the benefit

of their organisation. A letter from the Dominion Executive advised that the levy for the incoming financial year had been fixed at Ills per member, and it had been decided to recommend to the next Dominion Conference that the minimum annual subscription be fixed at 10s. Another letter from the Dominion secretary asked the Provincial Council to forward all remits of Dominion interest to the head office, and to refrain from communicating direct with Min-

isters or their departments. The chairman said that on several occasions the Dominion secretary bad failed to acknowledge receipt of communications of importance, and the letter was received. It was decided to interview the lion d. G. Coates with reference to the need for approaches to the bridges oil the main south road.

After a discussion on organisation a resolution was carried in lavour ol retaining (is 8d for each now member enrolled. this money to he funded for organising and l ropaganda purposes. It. was decided to protest against the proposal advanced by the Railway ( ommission to abolish the free carriage of lime for farmers on the railways for distances up to 100 miles. Members expressed the opinion that if the Government adopted such a policy the West- Coast lime companies would he forced to abandon production, and it would hamper farming to a great extent. On the motion of the chairman it was agreed to bring the matter under the

notice of the Dominion executive, and to include it in the matters to ho made the subject of representations to the Minister of Railways. It was also resolved to endeavour to enlist the suport of the Progress League.

; In dealing with a remit advocating • construction of cattle yards at Stillwater Mr Paine said that stock for the north from Canterbury should not have to go first to Grevmouth. It was decided to "make representation to sthe Railway Department in the matter and also to ask for a reduction ) in the freight charges on firewood for farmers clearing their land. The secretary said the Council’s application in the Agricultural Department for a visit of a veterinary surgeon to tlio district at least twice a year had not elicited any respon-e. Mr Ditely asked the chairman if lie could explain the excessive price of super phosphate!). There vr.s a disparity of £2 per ton in the prices charged at Christchurch and Auckland. A protest should he conveyed to the Minister of -Agriculture. It was decided to obtain a quotation I from both Christchurch and Auckland j for a 100-ton lot f.o.b Greymouth, 1

Mr T. E. Coates addressed the meeting oil dairy control. He suggested a resolution of protest. Afr Carter said that ho was against control from the first and did not think the system of distribution in England which had taken hundreds of years to build up, should he destroyed by a single Act. Ho thought the Government had failed in not controlling shipping. On the resolution of Alcssrs l’aine and Cowan, it was decided to allow the branches to deal with the matter.