FARMERS’ UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1928, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION

MR POLSON O VAT lON ED. FEILDING, May 30. At the . Inter-Provincial Farmers Union Conference, over GO delegates

were present. Mr 0. P. Lynch presided. The delegates were welcomed by the Mayor of Fei filing. The following remits were carried : “That the Stock Act he amended to make the fire branding of cattle illegal. except on the neck or cheek, “That the Department he urged to supply all information regarding vaginitis in cows.” “That legislation provide that after 1928, all cattle under 2.1 years old be dehorned.” “That the Government take all possible steps against the introduction of foot and mouth disease.” “That the Agricultural Department test all sheep dips to prove their efficiency.” “That flock ewes have a. universal age mark on the ear.” “That further efforts lie made to have the rates of commission on the sale of stock, etc., reduced.” “That unemployment relief money be expended l>y improving Government farm roads.”

“That overhead charges generally he reduced, and economy and thrift practised.”

“That efforts lie made to provide cheaper pig foods.”

“That hotter attention he given to the destruction of noxious weeds on roads.” Mr AY. J. Poison, Dominion President, who attended the conference, said the Executive was against the Farmers’ Union becoming a political body He, however, had decided to enter the political arena. He had battled for the farmers for eight years, and he was disappointed with the results. There was too much verbiage and camouflage in the country, and not enough candour. He believed he could do better work for the producers, if lie were on the inside of polities. He would not sav what seat he proposed to contest. Mr Poison also replied to Air Downie Stewart’s criticism of his statements. He had quoted his figures from the Official Year Book to show that for the period 1921-27, the country’s exports in value were 2d millions less than the value of imports, and that the interest on the Public Debt was growing at a faster rate now than their exports. Before Air Poison left, the conference stood and sang “For He’s a .Tolly Good Fellow.”