WEST COAST FARMERS' UNION.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 July 1926, Page 4

WEST COAST FARMERS' UNION.

ANNUAL -MELTING OF EXECUTIVE. The annual meeting of the Provincial Executive of the West Coast Fanners’ Union was held in the County Council Chambers, Greyinouth, on Saturday, Mr Wm Clayton (President) presiding over an attendance of twenty-one members. The delegates present from the various branches were: Messrs D. Shannahan, W. Norton, A. Muir (Grey), G. Mulcaro, W. Fisher (Ngahere), W. Clayton, D. Bavbutt, W. T. Begg, A. Bradley, A. McDonnell (Grey Valley), D. Jellie (Aralhura), A. Cowan (Rotomanu),i W. Morel, A. Jamieson (Koka-tahi-Koiterangi), J. Sangster, W. Rond (Punakaiki), J. Murdoch (Ross). There were also present: Mr Harris (Dominion Organiser). M.r C. S. Dnlgleish (State Farm). Mr H. G. Carter (Treasurer), and Mr l l ’. W. Baillie (Provincial Secretary). His 'Worship the Mayor of Greymouth (Mr W. H. Parfit) in opening the conference, welcomed the delegates on behalf of the citizens of Grcymouth. Mr W. Clayton, in reply 'to the .Mayor, thanked him for the welcome extended to the delegates, and for opening tto conference. INW AR D CORRESPONDENCE. From Mr H. E .Holland, M..P., acknowledging receipt of letter re deer restriction and stating that he would bo glad to co-operate with the other West Coast representatives in the direction indicated.—Received. From Tnangahua. County Council stating that they would have no objection to an executive member attending their meetings when road grants were being discussed.—Received. From County Clerk, Westland, stating that owners of wandering stock •would be dealt with, and that the staff had been circularised to keep a closer wntcli.—Received. From Forestry Department. Hokitika, acknowledging receipt of letter re doer restriction and suggesting that Totters be sent- to the Director of Forestry. Wellington, to the members for the Province, and to the Minister of Internal Affairs, with a copy of the resolution.—Received. From County Clerk, Westland, stat-1 ing that the Council would be pleased to hear from any Branch of the .Farmers’ Union particulars of any local requirements necessary, and pointing out that in the case of grants, the final decision rests with the Minister, who invariably cuts them down materially, owing to lack of funds.—Received. Tho balance sheet as read showed the receipts to he £IBO 17s fid and the expenditure £B7 7s, thus having a credit balance of £O3 10s 7d. On the motion of Messrs Mulcare and Morel, it was decided to send a copy of tho balance sheet to all branch secretaries. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. The l-etiring President, Mr W. Clayton, stated that, in retiring, ho wished to thank the members of the Executive for the loyal support and assistance. given him by them during the past year. They had done a lot of useful work in the past and hoped to do more in the future. The coming year will be much better, as be hoped to have all tho farmers in the Union, which would increase the funds and enable them to carry on the good work. He wished to tlmnk Mr MuTcare for his untiring efforts as secretary. Ho (Mr Mulcare) had given his services gratis, and those services had been invaluable, lie also wished to express his appreciation of Mr Carter’s generosity in lending his car on any occasion necessary, and thus saving the Executive a- lot of money. He would have much pleasure in moving a vote of thanks to Messrs Mulcare, Carter and Jellie (Vice-President). —- Carried by acclamation. He would, before vacating office, present bis report Tor the year 1025-2(5. It was as follows: We welcome you once more to our annual conference and hope some good will eventuate by discussing the farmers’ many problems. The year 1025 to 1020 has'not been a good one from a farmers’ point of view—falling prices have been the. order of the day, wool, beef, mutton and lamb having been selling at a price scarcely above the cost of production, while butter and cheese have just about held their own. Weather conditions on the West Coast have been bad during the past milking season which no doubt has reflected on the dairy returns. WOOL.—Something should bo done to stabilise the wool industry. The vast bulk of pur wool is sent out of tho country in the grease instead of being semi-manufactured in the form of tops and yarns. If this was done, and there appears to bo no valid reason why it should not as we now have cheap electric power throughout the country, it would give employment to a considerable number of bands and would bring more money into the conn trv.

S UPEP PH 0 SPIT ATE. —The high price of this manure is having a had effect and the farmers feel they are not getting a square deal. Promises have been made by the different Ministers in charge that a reduction would lie made in price and a statement of costs made available to the farmers. This is now Jong overdue. The people of New Zealand are partners in the Nauru deal, and a. statement should lie forthcoming to prove whether the manufacturing companies can or cannot soli at a cheaper rate. Superphosphate plays a very important part on the farm and lower prices would no doubt stimulate the use of this manure which would greatly increase the carrying capacity of the land on this Coast as well as other parts of the Dominion and would also add enormously to the Dominion’s wealth and to the prosperity of its people in general co-operative marketing. There is now an almost universal trend towards co-operation in the marketing and distributing of farm products. Although co-operhtive marketing is a farmer’s movement, it is not in any sense a selfish class movement and holds no menace either to consumers or other business interests. Agricultural production is essential to our national welfare and the guarantee of an adequate and dependable supply | of agricultural products is a prosperous and contented agricultural population, and this should prompt all sections of the community to .support wise a.nd intelligent efforts of farmers to place their industry upon a basis of stability and prosperity. Mr Morel moved that the President be thanked for his comprehensive report. He stated that had Messrs Clayton. Carter and -Mu lea re not gone to Kokatahi no branch would have been formed. The good work done by them would be very much appreciated by the incoming executive.

Messrs Clayton, Carter, Mulcare and •Tellie briefly acknowledged the vote of thanks and stated they were only too pleased to do all in their power to foster interest in the Union. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The election of officers then resulted: President. Mr H. G. Carter (Ngahere) ; Vice-President, Mr .T. Mulcare (Ngahere) ; Treasurer, Mr A. McDonnell (Grey Valley); Auditor, Mr D. Baybutt (Grey Valley) ; Committee: Messrs W. Norton (Grey), W. .Fisher (Ngahere). A. Bradley (Grey Valley), W. Roud (Punakaiki), D. Jellie (Arahura), W. Morel. A. Jamieson (Kokatahi-Koi-terangi), W. Searle (Harihari), Chinn

(Wataroa)-, H. Hodgkinson (Rototnanu), A. -Muir (Grey). It was decided to send the Secretary to the Provincial Secretaries’ Conference in July. Mr C. S. Dalgliesh. Fields Instructor and State Farm Manager, briefly outlined the work done on the State Farm during the year. Mr J. Murdoch, manager of the Ross Lime Works, explained the difference between burnt lime and unslacked lime in response to a question by one of the members. Mr Harris (Dominion organiser) said he hoped to visit many places beforo returning to Wellington. He was here as the result of tiie New Zealand Conference to show the farmers what was being done in the farmers’ interests by the National Executive. A great many farmers did not realise what was set in motion by passing a resolution. it did n.ot end there as they thought. Ho hoped to see the executive officers attend the National Conference. They were introducing a new system, by which the finances of a National Executive would lie placed on a firm basis. The system would take a long time to explain fully, and the pressure of Conference business would not permit him to do this. REMITS. The following remits were dealt with:— FROM GREY VALLEY BRANCH. That the number of representatives on the Grey and Inangahun County Councils be reduced to six owing to decline from gold mining.—Held over till next meeting. That the boundary of the Westland Land District be extended to the Ruller River, thereby enabling settlers in Upper Grey and Inangnhua Valley to do their business at Hokitika, which is more conveniently situated than Nelson.—Carried. ' That the. necessity of transferring the Hospital and Charitable Aid Levy from the Local Bodies to the Consolidated Fund he again urged upon the Government.—Carried. That local members of Parliament lie approached by the Provincial Executive with a request that they vote ior the “single ward” system, (one man one vote) for election of members of the Dairy Control Board, when the Bill comes be lore Parliament. —Carried. ' That the time lias arrived when an Agricultural Committee to work in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture be formed to deal with Agricultural problems on the West Coast. This was supported by Air C. S. Dalgliesh of the State Farm.—lt was decided to set up a small committee in each barneli to confer with Air Dalgliesli periodically. \ That the Minister of Lands he urged to take in hand the drainage of the large swamp areas, especially ill South Westland, for the cultivation of flax, thereby bringing large areas of waste Innd into production, and at the same time giving employment to a large number of men.—Carried. Tliat the matter of a Dairy Instructor for the i West Coast District bo taken up by the conference. A man capable of supervising say 3000 cows, where the territory is not spread over Loo large an area is what is aimed at, and the cost should work out at about 3s to 4s per ton of buttef produced. The conditions laid down by the Department are that the factories pay half the salary, and the whole expenses. the department paying the other half of the salary. The Instructor should have a car to enable him to cover his district at short intervals, and thus increase his usefulness, arrangements to bo made with the Dairy Divisional Department of Agriculture. —lt was resolved to circularise the factories in the, matter, and that the Department he written to enquiring whether it would subsidise, and to what extent. IfRQM XGABERE BRANCH. That the advisability of the establishment of a River Board ior the Grey River district he considered.— Resolved that the County Clerk be written asking him to supply data on the matter. That the mutter of the Supervision of Splitters’ Licenses he taken into consideration by the Conference; —11"-

solved tlint the Minister in Charge be written to asking him to grant authority to the Forestry Department to issue licenses. That the Conference again urge the necessity for bridging the .Moonlight Creek.—Left in the hands of the delegates to the Conference to interview the Prime Minister on the matter. That where the consecutive postal holidays occur, there ho a morning mail to Ngahere on the succeeding day.—.Mr Mclntosh, C.P.M., Greymouth, attended the conference in regard to this matter and stated that he had made suitable arrangements to meet the requirements of the Ngaliere residents. That the Conference seek a, reduction of freight rates oil straw-clinff and straw.—lt was resolved to forward this remit to the National Conference. HARIITARI BRANCH. That the Minister of Public Works he requested, to supervise and perform the work of continuing Petersen's - fur tlier extension road, for Which r gran of £l5O is available, but which tin Westland County Council refuses tv spend.—lt was resolved to write to tlr Minister of Public Works pointing oui the difficulty. That the Bnrihaii branch is of opinion, that any grants available by the Public Works Department for Poerua River hank protection should be devoted to the protection of the river hank adjoining Mr Burnside’s farm immediately where the erosion is taking place.—Referred to the Minister or Public Works. ROTOMANTJ BRANCH. That the restriction on deer and hares in Westland be removed.—Carried. GENERAL. It was resolved that copies of the Fencing Act he procured and a copy sent to all branch secretaries. The President, Air IT. G. Carter, then thanked 'the delegates for their attendance and declared tho meeting closed.

MINERS DISEASE RELIEVED. PULMONAS AGAIN EFFECTIVE. Comes a. letter from that dusty mining town of Reefton, where over-abun-dant grit and coal-dust gnaw their painful way into tho miners’ throats and lungs, in many cases bringing on miners' disease. “Reefton—Will you kindly send me two boxes of Pul mo lias. I find them splendid and am constantly recommending them, especially to the men suffering from miners’ disease. The holding medicinal vapours from the Pulmona pastille penetrate to every part of the throat and lungs—- ' drive away rawness and soothe all the bronchia! and. nasal passages. Catarrh, coughs, colds and bron- ' (Litis, instantly relieved hv Pulmonas. 1 At chemists and stores—ls Gd: doub.c ! size 2s Gd. Send for generous free sample enclosing 3d in stamps. Write ' the manufacturers, 'Stacey Bros., Ltd... ’ Box 17, Newmarket, Auckland.—7.

A THOUGHTFUL ACT. CHIUSTHUR.CH, - July ~>. Pavlova, while motoring this evening through Woolslon, a suburb of Christchurch, on route to Lyttelton, found a man lying oil the road behind a. motor cycle. She stopped her car, and the members of the party picked the mail up. Ho could not speak, and it- was feared that his legs were broken. Pavlova offered. to vacate her car and send tho mail to the hespi- , tal, lint he then regained consciousness ami was able to walk. The famous dancer then continued her joiirwey over the hills to connect with tiie ferry steamer.

Lot 1.—30 Ladies’ Felt and Ready-to-wear Hats. Regular prices 9s lid to 29s Gd. Sale price 4s lid. Lot 2 21 Ladies’ Felts and Models Millinery. Regular prices 17s Gd to 59s Gd. Sale price 7s Gd.—-At McKay’s Great Record Sale.—Adyt.