FARMERS’ UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1928, Page 1

FARMERS’ UNION

The quarterly meeting of the West Coast Farmers’ Union was held at G reymouth yesterday. The Chairman said there was a letter from the Dominion Meteorologist, Dr Kidson, regarding the remit which this Executive had sent the Union headquarters requesting that weather forecasts covering a period of three or four days should, be sent out for the benefit of the farmers, at shearing, lambing and harvesting times, when an assurance of good weather would enable work to be done better, and warnings of rain would save them money. It appeared that a- wrong impression had been conveyed to the Meteorologist, who semed to think this Executive was dissatisfied with his forecasts, which was not the case. It was resolved to reply stating the position. The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon 0. J. Hawken, wrote:—“With reference. to the recommendation of the Provincial Executive of the West toast Fanners' Union that the Government locate pure-bred cattle on the Wainuuingu Experimental Farm, the matter has been carefully looked into and it is regretted that for the time being the Department is unable to take any action. The Wnimaunga. Farm is fully stocked with good grade animals, and before any pure grade animals could be located on the property, some of the present stock would have to be sold. It was resolved to follow up their request with further representations. It was resolved to invite Mr Bashford, Secretary of the Canterbury Pig Fattenors’ Association, to visit the Coast and discuss the improvement of the pig industry. The Kokathi-Koitcrangi Branch forwarded the following remit:—“Unit this Union protest against the Daylight Saving Bill, and support any action the Conference takes for its abolition.” Agreed to. The District Traffic Manager, Mr H. Chapman, said Mr F. Pawson (Railway Business Agent) wrote to the effect that the Executive’s request for a farmers’ excursion train from the West Coast stations on June 4th., on the occasion of the Winter Show at Dunedin, had been approved, and arrangements were being made accordingly. The Dunedin Farmers’ Union Secretary bad been advised, and this Executive should communicate with 1 him. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Clayton, that the following Committee be set up to deal with the whole matter of the excursions: Messrs Muloare, O’Neill. Carter, McDonnell, Murdoch, Shannahan and Fisher. Mr O’Neill said the Kokatnhi Winter Show was being fixed for tbo end of May, to suit the excursion to Dunedin. on which they wanted to take the best of the exhibits in the train, to show Dunoclin people what the Coast could produce. They wanted to ask for an observation van, and could got nlonly of creditable exhibits. The Tvokatahi branch would do the work, and only asked the Executive to aid them in securing the van, a motion to which effect be moved. Mr Clayton seconded, and complimented the Kokatalii people on their excellent idea. The motion was carried. Grey Valley Branch sent the follow- 1 mg remit:—“That the Forestry De- , partment be requested to take steps to 1 conserve the, remaining white pine timber for the dairying industry of New ; Zealand; also to inquire wliat experiments, if aiiv, have been carried out, and the results towards introducing a substitute for the manufacture of butter boxes and cheese crates.” Mr Meara seconded the motion which was carried. A remit from the Grey Valley Branch moved by Mr McDonnell, was as fol- ' lows:— “That the Railway Department be reqested to comply with the arrangements made with the Executive Council in regard to running stock trains to Canterbury on Tuesdays.” The mover said that on two Tuesdays recently, no stock had been run to Canterbury, yet according to the papers trains were run on other days with no more stock available than on those two occasions. The motion was eni- , tied. Two remits forwarded by the Hnri- . hari Branch were: (1) That an endeai vour lie made with manure manufaci turing firms to have manures manufactured in more concrete form than at present, i.e. without .so much filling. I This with a view to reducing freight; f (2) That a request he made to the 3 Conference to insist on nianufactuiing . firms being compelled to state the amount of filling used when supplying f the analysis of their manures. Mr Clayton said the second remit, | while widely opposed, was already included in the Government Bill to amend ’ the Fertiliser Act. As to the first remit, the Minister of Agriculture gave a favourable hearing to the request at the State Farm to a deputation. They thought it best to visit the nianufacturers at Christchurch, Kemptliorno Prosser and Coy., and discuss the mutter, and if they agreed to comply all would he right. " Mr O’Neill explained that at Hari- ‘ hari the freight as costly, and less filling was wanted, as it could he supplied there. Mr Murdoch thought the manufac- . turers would not reveal their trade >t + secret. • 'flic Chairman proposed that the ° Agriculture Department he requested to liberate on the Coast, in the first instance, the natural enemy of ragwort discovered by Dr r l illy a ril. All had this weed to contend with, and ‘ u sheep could not keep it down. It was II the most noxious weed, as a careless 1 neighbour could spread it. The antidote had not yet been liberated, but would soon be. Mr O’Neill said good fences kept out ragwort, and sheep could do well on it. He would buy land bearing ragwort. MI- Clayton said he would prefer ;w to see the remedy tried first on some in other district. on After discussion the proposal was he withdrawn. ;or Mr Ditely moved that the Secretary r s approach the Railway Traffic Manager n<J asking to have the approach to Arand luira Railway Station improved, ant: 1,1: that Mr Jellie and the mover he s i® l " sub-committee to deal with the matter Mr O’Neill suggested the additioi ,na of work that was needed at Hoho Sale ,0r yards, and the motion was came: na ’ with this addition. Mr Clayton bein< ,° the seconder. or M r Jellie brought up the matter o en * the charges on small parcels conveyec • a t railway side-stations, saying th< guards found the big schedule o charges most difficult to interpret. H ns, moved that the Executive ask the De to partment to do something to oes consignors. Guards, when they di not know how much to charge, coni

not accept parcels, as payment had to • accompany them. Schedules should j be posted at country stations. | Mr Ditely seconded the motion and referred to a case where the Depart- 1 ment accepted payment to deliver a parcel. Mr .Tellie -said the public could read a. schedule of charges if posted at the station, and so save