Farmers’ Union Considers Various Questions

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 66, 21 March 1944, Page 8

Farmers’ Union Considers Various Questions

WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE MEETING At Marton yesterday the Wellington Central Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union met with Mr. D. G. Gordon (president) in tho chair. There were also present Messrs. C. G. C. Dernier, V. B. Short, W. G* Booth, H. D. Richardson, R. H. Buchanan, B. McLeod, H. Jensen, A. li. Fannin, F. Collins, R. Collarton, A. H. Griffin, A. C. Birch, J. B. S. Dudding, W. S. Page, G. E. Lovelock, T. M. Bergen, F. C. Jurkens, D. Cameron, L. Hammond, J. Tod, V. F. Toulinin’ and E. Bcazer. . Mr. Dudding was appointed to represent the farmers of Marton district on the District Rehabilitation Committee. In connection with the action of the Rangitikei County Council in placing restrictions on the traffic on back country roads, the county engineer wrote pointing out that the roads and bridges were never built to tako sixwheeled motor lorries carrying as much as 43 bales of wool or 140 lambs, and therefore it was necessary to take action to preserve both bridges and roads otherwise heavy damage would result. Members stated that they were satisfied with the position. In reply to further inquiries the Dominion secretary of the Farmers' Union wrote stating that sufficient gumboots to supply all farming requirements were not available. It was announced that the Government was taking steps to procure additional supplies from Canada. Some members who had been successful in securing a pair stated that tlie quality was not too good and the price very high. It was announced that the annual intcr-provincial conference would be held in Palmerston North on May ol next. Tho meeting confirmed the action of the secretary in nominating Mr. R. H. Buchanan, president of tho Feilding branch of the Union, as farmers' representative on the Feilding Stock Supply (Rationing) Committee. Mr. Toulinin made strong representations that a review of tho year 'a activities of tho union should be placed before the annual Dominion Conference. He said that many remits went forward from different provinces and nothing was known of their fate. It was time that action was taken to keep in touch with theso several questions and he considered that a review of tho work should come before the annual conference. Mr. Dudding supported these representations. In reply Mr. Hammond stated that the Dominion executive was largely occupied in dealing with questions of major importance and it was not always possible to handle every remit, j Ho" was well aware of tho position and admitted that at times many remits were just skated over. The solution was iii one big union wherein a bigger staff would be available to deal with all questions. It was agreed to again urge upon the Dominion executive to arrange for presentation to the annual conference a survey of tho year’s activities. Correspondence was read to the meeting respecting the desire of Australian wool producers to hold a Conference to consider postwar wool production. The secretary explained that Australian producers were keen on a conference of representatives from South Africa, New Zealand and Australia to discuss the whole question. Bradford interests, however, had indicated a wish to be present at such a conference but this was not acceptable to Australian producers who considered that producers themselves should first discuss the whole question without any interference from the trade which was anxious, however, to have restored as early as possible the prewar system of open market buying. Wool growers in New Zealand were keenly interested in the formation of a wool board apart from tho existing wool council which was originally constituted to deal with publicity for wool. Tho aim was to secure a wool board with powers similar to those possessed by the Meat Board and iho Dairy Board. The Government was not keen on this proposal and suggested that the wool council could do all the proposed wool board would do. Mr. Hammond stated that a meeting of wool growing interests was to be held in Wellington next month when the question of a wool board would be 'discussed. Mr. Buchanan moved that this executive strongly supports the formation at the earliest possible date of a wool board. He said that the wool council was set up for publicity purposes and a levy of Gd per bale was made to finance tho scheme. The last report showed that the wool council, had accumulated £54,000 and it did not appear to be doing very much. The motion was seconded by Mr. Richardson and carried unanimously. Dealing with the recent announcement that road transport charges were to be increased, Mr, Hammond said (hat tho Dominion executive proposed to protest against this action and to seek a statement from the Government as to the operation of the Stabilisation policy. He agreed that in order to protect the interests of the farmers against high road transport costs the union should engage qualified personnel to attend all sittings of the Transport Tribunal. . He moved that the executive recommend the Dominion executive to take the matter of road transport charges in hand and appoint representatives in tho North and South Islands to watch the interests of farmers at all sittings of tho Transport Tribunal. Mr. Bergen seconded the motion which was carried. It was further agreed to refer the question to the approaching inter-provincial conference. Members raised questions as to tho charges which were being imposed by drovers when loading stock at railway sidings. It was stated that farmers were being charged when they did the loading themselves, the drovers claiming that it was their job and that they wore entitled to make the charge. Like action appeared to be taking place in respect to the loading of sheep at saleyards and it was claimed that there J>was no authority for such charges and that farmers should refuse to pay. It was agreed to institute inquiries as to these charges. Mr. Toulmin referred to tho inability of farmers on local bodies to obtain petrol to enable them to attend meetings. He said that many fanners put in a great deal of time on local bodies but 'were given very littlo consideration when it came to applying for a little petrol. He knew that members of the Wanganui Hospital Board from his district were unable to obtain potroi to attend meetings of the board. Train and bus services were often unsuitable. It was agreed to bring tho question before the Oil Fuel Controller.