WEST COAST FARMERS’ UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 1 July 1931, Page 5

WEST COAST FARMERS’ UNION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual conference of the West iCoast branch of the .New Zealand Fanners' Union was held at Greymouth yesterday. Present: Wssrs W. Fisher ''(iFresident), J. (Alulcare, D. Shannahan, H. G. Carter, 0. Jelly, L. A. Ditely, FI. 10. Hodgkinson, VV. Norton,. W. .'Clayton, J .T. McKay, A. Dalziel, A. . ‘Bell, I*. J. O'Regan, W. Begg. Mr iA. Thompson, manager of the 'Ross Time Company, Mr J. Kt even son, Government 'F ; elds Instructor, and the secretary Mr (F. W. .Baillic were also in attendance. The Minister of Railways advised that the matter of having a subsidised motor lorry service established in order to place South Westland settlers on the

same footing as those adjacent to the railway, would receive his eonsidera'tion. Mr J. O'Brien wrote stating he

would assist in any way possible. The Minister of Railways further advised that after carefully considering it vyas regretted that the Department was unable to accede to the request, Mr McKay said the reply from the Minister of Railways was not satisfactory to his branch. It seemed a visry bad way to turn the matter down. (No" reason has been given. Mr Jellv said that there was a service between GUnhope and Nelson and South Westland was a better feeder to the Railway than that district. He felt sure they could not get away from the fact that the Government should inaugurate tt service In South {Westland. It was decided to refer the matter to the new Railway Commission. Mr McKay said he took it that if the Radway Board came to the West Coast, representations would be made to them by the Farmers Executive. The Westland County Council advised that for the ensuing year the total saving to ratepayers would be 384 per cent, on the last year’s levy. . Mr 'Clayton said the Westland people were in a fortunate position. He was sorry other county councils could not do the same. Votes of £2 2s were made to each of the West Coast A and P. Assn., Inangahua A and P. Assn, and the Kokatahi Show. The Dominion Executive of the New. /J?aland Farmers’ Union wrote asking for information regarding the progress that had been made in the establishment of dental clinics in the dis-not. so as to obtain authentic information to place before the Minister of Health. Mr McKay said that a dental officer was sent to South West-land and had done the required work, but was theve more for the purpose of an investi- J gation, and he thought it- was a further step forward.

It was decided to instruct delegates +o eiwiport an 'Auckland remit as outlined by 'Mr O’Rifgan. Tb° 'Dominion Executive wrote stating that the West CoasTcremitmuegarding the allocation of different colours to sheep owners would be impracticable as (1) coloured paints would not scour out as they "mat." (2) It would be difficult to add a pigment to sav. lamp black and oil. (S) In some localities sufficient colours would not be procurable. The Canterbury A. and P. Association wrote regarding exhibits to be made at th a Canterbury Winter Show, The Chairman said the onlv winter Show on the West Coast- was Knkalah’. but- that would not be held this year. Hie thought it would be a good idea to exhibit at the Canterbury Winter Show. The letter was received. Va-riohs West -Const auctioneering firms wrote stating that they could not comply with the centre’s request to reduce the present scale of charges.

The Chairman said the matter was brought tin at the last N.Z, Conference and Dalgety’s in the North Island have reduced their rate. By their amalgamation, they have reduced charges one per cent, and instead of 20 auctioneers going to a sale of 240 sheep as be could instance, one auctioneer represented all of the auctioneering firms. j Mr O’Regan said the smaller volume'; in stock and reduction in prices affected the auctioneers’ turnover. The letters were received. Mr H. E. Holland, M.P., wrote stating that he had placed the matter of the application for a prospector’s license on Mimehan’s land at Cobden before the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister wrote sfating that the matter was being carefully considered and Mr Miinehan’s attention had been called to the fact that he could lodge an objection against the grant-, ing of the application by appearing in Court as a witness in support of the objection.

The Dominion Executive wrote asking: (a) If Mr Minehan’s leasehold titles come within the definition of Crown hands, ,and (b) if Mr Minehan could forward a plan and description of the land he wishes to he exempted.

The Chairman said it was most important. They had endeavoured to get mining regulations exempted from West Coast lands. Mr Mule are said it should be brought up at the New Zealand Conference and pushed to a logical conclusion.

The letter was received and it was decided to keep the matter in view. The Chairman said the Warden had granted the application and the only way to have it nullified now was to have . a- prerogative from the GovernorGeneral, but it had to be a good case and come under the right clause. Tihe balance sheet, showing a credit balance of £62, 16s 6d was read and adopted as very satisfactory.

The Chairman said the herd testing on the West Coast had proved very successful. The Ross Lime Company, which was a farmers’ organisation, was now proving a. successful venture.

Farmers who have invested in the Lima Company will he able to procure cheap iime, which will mean -a. great sav ing to them. Mr Thompson said he was pleased to have the opportunity of. being present. Idle lime works liad been a failure until recently, and in order to make a success of the lime company the support of the farmers must he forthcoming. Now that they had made a start and good headway, they would be able to reduce the price of lime, if farmers gave their whole-hearted support. The Chairman thanked Mr Thompson for his interesting address. Before vacating the chair, the Chairman, Mr W. Fisher, returned thanks to members for their assistance rendered during the year. He lead done his best and any information he had gathered while in the position, he would be pleased to pass it on to his successor. . ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the’ensuing year resulted as follows: President: Mr D. Shannahan. ' j Vice-President: Mr A. L. Ditley. 1 Treasurer: Mr A. McDonnell (reelected). Auditor: Mr J. Mulcare (re-elected). Executive Committee: Messrs P. J, O’Regan, J. J. McKay, A. Muir, H. E., Hodgkinson, T. P. O’Neil, A. Dalzeil. A. Jelly, W. Clayton and W. Norton. Delegate to Dominion Conference: Mr P. J. O’Regan. Secretary: Mr F. W. Baillie (reelected). Representative on Chamber of Commerce: Mr W. Norton (re-elected). Advisory Committee: Messrs W* Clayton, J. Muloare, H. G. Carter, A. Dalzeil, the President and the ViceProsidont. ' REMITS'. - ‘ •;,/ yi,, The Inangahua . Branch remits were read and adopted as follows: T (1) ’That the Herd Testing Federation be asked to deal with the matter f of cull cows and replacements, and * that all pedigree cattle -be tested. Mr ‘B-sll said it -was not fair for cull cows to be running around and being resold through the saleyards. He did not agree that all pedigree cattle should be tested. He would like that cut out ’ of the remit. This procedure was decided upon. .v . (2) That the Executive advocate , the complete abolition of the duty on Australian wheat.’/ * V ■. ■

The remit' was carried by nine votes to six. -■ v ,

(3) ‘‘That the Government be asked to lay down a definite schedule for travelling expenses for all County Councillors attending the Council meetings at rates per. mile for all. modes of travel.” The remit was,.approved, ; ? (4) ‘‘That the Government be urged to send a Trade Delegation to the East instead of a Tride iQommissionei’.’’ The remit was withdrawn. i

(5) “That this discuss the importation of American timber into New ’Zealand.” Mr O’Regan said he was in Wellington last ; October and saw buildings of reinforced concrete. ’HTsiibSh 1 'ttf”;a bQliaef ,, Nvhh e: '%ia rrr tH-i9 ,J could not get the lengths in . red pine, and if they did get them they were not strong enough or of a good enough da9B of fiimber. For certain purposes there was no doubt that the imnort-V timber was superior/ If the duties were increased it was! doubtful if it would do any good for the timber industry, as artificial substance would be used.

Harihari remits adopted were;— (1) “That the Public Works Department and City Councils be reouested not to damage- farmer’s road front • ages by uneven distribution of material taken off roads while grading.” ‘ The remit was adopted. (2) “That the Minister of Lands and the Commissioner of Crown Lands be advised that in the opinion of th" Harihari Branch, unemployment could be economically relieved by further draining of the La Fontaine swamp area.”

‘Mr Carter suggested taking Ngahere’s remit that road access be a primar>obiect in prov’ding work for .unemployed, with the Harihari remit. This was decided upon. The motion was carried. The Grey Valley Branch remits adopted were:— • -TT'! \ ;

(1) “That the question of.« de-rating all farm land be visorously . taken up by the Dominion Executive. Note;r— This branch is of the opinion that an understanding should b» arrived at, with Parliamentary candidates at the coming elections.” The remit was adopted, there. being three dissentients. The Arahura Branch remit adopted was:— “That the Government be strongurged to relax regulations of fertiliser loans so that deserving farmers, unab! ■ to give the required security under th present regulations can secure th" necessary fertiliser to carry -cm; each farmer to be recommended bv Dair> Company Chairman, or other responsible men.’’—Approved. Xgahere Branch remits adopted were; “That mining regulations be- uplifted from all land suitable for farming whether it be freehold or leasehold.” ; Mr Carter's amendment that the lavbe amended to give the Warden powe: to refuse applications for mining privileges on land suitable for farming, we. adopted. • (2) “That the Chief Postmaster b-’ asked to attend the conference with regard to rural telephone lines.”—Adopted .

(4) “That the Conferenue oppose airretrenchment in the Agricultural De-partment.”—-Adopted. -r ' (5) “That the Conference seek. r reduction in royalties 1 and freight on fencing material.” Mr Dalziell said freight charges wer passive. The remit was adopted, am it was decided to bring the matter be fore the Railways Department and the Royalty Department.