FARMERS’ CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1927, Page 1

FARMERS’ CONFERENCE

(Hy Telegraph—Per Press Association.) AA'EL LING TON, July 2d. Tlio Farmers" Union Conference opened to-day and was addressed hy .Air Coates. 'AH' •Poison (President) delivered ins addresos on the lutllie of co-operation. Afr Coates said that Mr Poison had eov ered quite a lot of ground. There were olio of two remarks which required some qualification. One at least was the statement that ‘Coates was (ho man Win> got things done. I want to tell you clearly that 1 never said such a thing at all. Others have said it, but I have not said it. 1 am here in my jiosition to do my duty and to initiate and complete my policy, the policy that was initiated at last election and one which I hope to be able to put into complete operation.” Continuing, Air Coates said that in the whole Empire there was not a Government that had the representation Loin the farming community that New Zealand had. He asked the conference to consider that the largest proportion of the party of which he was head, was composed of farmers. Lie himself was a farmer. He thought in terms of the farmer, and in terms of difficulties of tlio primary producer in New Zealand as well as all over the world. It was world-wide depression or disturbance that affected ’primary producers. He ward oil tlio conference to consider various matters with the Aliuistcrs of the Crown later and consider in detail the various proposals now before the conference. They would understand that the Ministers had information at their disposal which was not available to everybody in regard to questions affecting our country, its people and industries. Jn Alareh we were ten millions short of the previous year’s purchasing power. The Government had done its best from its point of view. It. was not tlio responsibility of the Government to take men on. and employ them continually. Air Coates continued that up to May 31. the exports were roughly 1, millions against twenty-five and a half millions last year. The imports £lB.562,171 compared with £20.900.905. so that in regard to the trade balance, we were better off by £3.926.716. He though that showed the effect of economy and tightening tip of imports and increase in production. The latter largely reflected the efforts of the primary producer. In his opinion we had turned the corner. The onput of primary products was most satisfactory. Farmers had not been idle. Our job is to see how we can improve his capacity to increase production still further.

Various remits on the question of politics in connection with the Farmers’ Union came up for consideration at the conference to-day, but the matter was considered purely domestic, and the discussion was in committee. The report of the Produce Coinmittgr roustdarod by the. eopfepence.

Remits were carried that the Government ho approached with a view to compelling Xew Zealand butchers to label as such all frozen meat offered hy them for sale. The Government will lie asked to pass legislation that produce requiring cool storage should pass through the Xew Zealand cool stores in London, .when such are established. which subject will be discussed with Air Amery when he gets here.

After a lengthy discussion on tho Rural Bill, to-night, the New Zealand Farmers’ Union Conference passed a resolution: “That in the matter of the Rural Credit Branch of the State Advances Department, we urge that the recommendations of tho Commission be carried out in their entirety, and that tilie sale of bonds be pushed with the utmost urgency. Wo also urge that a. second farmers’ representative be appointed to the Board.”

WOMEN'S DIVISION. WELLINGTON, July 27

Tho second annual Conference of tho Wowcn’s Division of the Farmers’ Union was opened to-day hy Airs J. G. Coates, who congratulated the Division on the work accomplished, and wiflhed it success for the future.

Airs Poison, the President, outlined what had been accomplished. A Bush Nurse and Housekeeper had been secured, and a Book Club bad been organised. They aimed at securing bettor dental facilities for country children and a AVoman’s Exchange tor the country women. Remits wore ennsiderd dealing with education and immigration. tt was decided to bring to the notice of the Minister of Education the disadvantage to country children in reducing tho age at which scholarships can he obtained to thirteen, it being pointed out that, owing to the long distance, jnul because they often have to work before and after school, country children can seldom pass their sixth standard hy the age of thirteen. It was urged that more care he taken in the selecting of immigrants. Tt. was also urged that the Alagistrates should not order undesirables from the towns into the country.