FARMERS CONFER

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1933, Page 5

FARMERS CONFER

THE WOOL COUNCIL

FEARS EXPRESSED BY FARMERS,,

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, July 12. The aims of . , the proposed wool council were outlined to the Dominion oourernce of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to-night-,by members of the rlrovdncia-l Council. Professor G. S- - even, principal of Massey College, said some people were afraid that tlie levy would be used to ciassiy rpms for breeders,-a job they shoucl do for themselves.

/There were also fears that the scheme would interfere with breeders, but ft was only intended- to eliminate rams at the bottom of-the list. It was only intended to- bail rank faults. It was intended'to issue-a journal, which would hand on most valuable information. South Africa had a levy of Is per bale on wool and had a very fine organisation. ' ' ,

Major McDonnell, southern Hawke’s Bay ,said farmers in his district were afraid the Romney breeders would dominate the council and he was certain that unless this impression were removed, the -Wool Council Bill would never get through the House. The Meat Board had £96,COi) in hand, and it was thought'the wool council should get to the Meat Board for fund?:

Mr Hammond eaid a sub-cominittee which had been set up to confer with the wool council recommended t that tlie Farmers’ Union should- place its organisations at < tlie disposal of the wool council. Meetings should be held' at which full particulars of the scheme could be explained. Mr J. E. Benson, Poverty Bay, said that what' they were "afraid of was that legislation would bo introduced to' enable the wool council to raise £4500 from the..,wool growers. . M r ,H. B; Stuckey ,said the benefits wbud' 'be' so great" that: fafpi'erV would soon not grudge 2s; per. bale;.-:': '. Mr .Hi Morrison,'Wairafapa, said that if the’ wool council ’ could get shipping freights dowh, they would justify Thtfir existence;' «* The president Mr ,W. J. Poison, said the. wool council could be assured of the' sympathy Of ’.the union in their endeavur to ..improve .Dominion’ flocks with quality wool. ' . , •

NEW ZEALAND AND OTTAWA. WELLINGTON,, July 12. 1 New 1 Zealand’s dependence upon a the Ottawa rum agreements" was, .emphasised by Mr Poison, M.P.,-, in;: the course of his presidential address to the Farmer’ Union.::" Haying referred 'to - diCcu 1 - ties that.werearising. from thc iailunv..’;.;.. of the World C'onferehce to reach, a. ; satisfactory - settUnneni ' .he dwelt upon increasing production - in- :■ New . Zea? i / . land, and the need of freedom' of mat’ keis. , ; / %'■ / —i

Ho said their dairy competitors in’ the London market were on. the run. The Dominion should hold its advantage. Mr- Poison congratulated ’Captain. Colbeck upon his presentation of the farmers" case to the Tariff Commission. Only by adherence to agreements with Britain, whereby more British goods would be bought could New Zealand be assured of increasing and favourable markets.

CONFERENCE REAFFIRM POLICY WELLINGTON, July 12.

The Dominion Conference of the Farmers'’ Union to-night re-affirmed its policy that, prospective tariffs should be. reduced at once, and that the Dominion’s immediate objective should be' free trade between Britain and New Zealand.

Mr W. W. Mulholland (Canterbury) said the union should make its attitude clear with regard to ' secondary industries. A good deal of propaganda, had been indulged in endeavouring to make out that the farmers are antagonistic towards the local industries-., This was the reverse of the truth. It was resolved to refer the matter to the union’s tariff committee.