FARMERS’ UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1931, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION

QUARTERLY .MEETING. The quarterly meeting of the Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held at the County Chambers, Greymouth. yesterday. Present: —.Messrs W. Fisher (Chairman), A. Bradley, 1). P. Shannahan. L. A. Ditely. H. G Carter. 1). Jelly, P. Ryder, J. J. Ale Kay, J. Altileare, •I. Hewer. A. Muir, \V. Clayton. A. Dalziel and the Secretary. Air F. W. Baillie. The New Zealand Dairy Produce Board wrote in reply to a request from the Union that the levy he foregone, staling that the Board could not sec its way clear to comply with it. The levy had been cut down by half already and much money had been spent in advertising. The letter was received. The Alinister of Lands wrote regarding the breaking in of unproductive hinds on the Wosi Coast, and stating that the matter was receiving attention..

II was decided to notify the Dominion Executive of there being only three clinics on the Wesl Coast, namely at Rcefton, Greymouth and Hokitika. It was also decided to draw their attention to the excessive cost of country parents in taking their children to llmsc clinics for treatment. It was decided I lint a till 16s Cup he donated for competition annually for tlm best cow. under the West Coast Herd Testing Association. The Harilmri Branch forwarded the following remits: ‘‘That in view of the remoteness, the Government be requested to establish a subsidised motor lorry service in order to place South Westland settlers on the same footing as those adjacent to the railway. The President said lie had known of ibis being done in quite a number of places, and there was no chance of the railway being carried on further south

from Ross. Air Ah'Kay said the Harilmri branch had discussed the matter and il appeared as (hough the railway would not be canned on. They were handicapped with regard to getting lime and fertilisers and the road was non in good order. Ho asked that the Union back the remit. The remit was carried unanimously. Mr Jelly said the Railway Department were assisting the Alurc.hisoii people at railway rates, and the Department was also getting a considerable amount of reveirm*. ( Air Ditely said that the railways were not paying. this would In* a good source of revenue, as then' would he more to carry h.v rail and the production would he increased. It was decided to send a copy ol the. resolution to Mr. J. O'Brien ALP. lor Westla ml. Harilmri Branch sent the following tvmit: “That, owing to the enormous losses caused by sterility, abortion and oilier diseases affecting dairy stock, the Government he requested to arrange

a good veterinary service and subsidise ilm contributions of stock owners.” Mr A! cTxay said this was a Dominion wide affair. They had not one man on tin l ('oast who could give advice otlie- than ill*' Stick fiisncetors. Hie disease was absolutely playing no with stock and it would require a lot of attention. They should not expect the service of veterinary men for noth-

ino;. It nil's a big ,i|Uestioll iUl<l WOiilld r.iii' farmers ami the country in general. Tin* remit was carried a Sub-Committee being set un to pro fully into rite matter and furnish par-, titulars to the Xew Zealand Executive. The Rotomanu Branch forwarded the followim;'. remit : (1 ) Thai an endeavour should he made to get a reduction in i'at"N for next year. Mr Ryder said 1 hi* farmers were aR on against it at the ]iresent time. The remit was referred to the Grey. Inan.eahua aed Wes'land County Coneids for consideration. Rotoma'Mi Branch sent a further remit that ihe stock Inspector lie given newer to give different colours to sheepowners for branding in different loeali'ies. This was carried. Kotomnuu Branch sent a remit :- "'I hat thi* attention, of auctioneers he drawn to the excessive charges made and that a mini lion of charges he asked for in accordance to those* prevailing in other districts.’* The remit was carried.

(1 rev Valley Branch Sent a remit: That owing to the slump in the prices of produce, the Provincial Executive Council either forego or reduce its levy for the coming year. This was held over for the annual meeting. The same brunch sent a further remit:--‘•That the matter of relief for farmers he discussed by the Executive with tile view of discovering some solution ot the difficult- problem facing the Government. The remit was carried.

Xgahere Branch sent a remit : ‘‘That* the development of second-class land he combined with the unemployment scheme to enable needy farmers to improve their holdings. The remit was adopted Xgalmro Brandt sent a remit: •‘That the Executive support Mr M. Minehaii. Cohden. in his object ion to ‘the frontage of his farm being taken up for mining purposes. Mr Carter moved: “That this- Fiium use its best endeavours to protect Mr Minehan’s interests from the operation of mining laws, and that the Prime Minister, the "Dominion Executive, and Mr J. O'Brien. M.P.. he communicated with asking that they give their attention to the matter, and asking it he exempt from mining operations on the West Coast.'’ Mr McKay seconded the motion, which was carried, j Mr Minehan thanked the Executive for their support in his interests. Xgahere sent a remit: “That the

Executive consider the matter of tin* sale ol inferior slock feed.” .Mr .Mu lea re said that there had been a lot of inferior stock feed sold on the West Const lately. The remit was adopted and ordered to he forwarded to the Dominion Executive.