FARMERS MEET

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10287, 23 May 1919, Page 5

FARMERS MEET

CONFERENCE OF NORTH CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION.

Press Association.

CHRISTCHURCH, May 22. At the annual meeting of the North Canterbury Farmers’ Association, tho president (Mr D. Jones), in his address, said tho season had been favourable, especially for wheat growers. Experiments in growing lucerne had proved that it could not be considered a commercial success on the bulk of Canterbury land. Though there was need for increased production, nothing definite had been done in connection with the esiAblishing of a State farm for Canterbury. With regard to immigration, the union should move cautiously, for while the population was required, only a useful type should be assisted. During the year the contract for the purchase of meat by the Imperial Government had been extended to June 30th, 1920, and though the wisdom of this had been questioned by many farmers, events had proved it to be sound business on the part of producers. CHRISTCHURCH, May 22. The following resolutions were carried:—

That. the Dominion executive he instructed and insist that the whole of the meat purchased by the Imperial Government up to the end of June 30th, 1920, be removed before the, beginning of the 1920 and 1921 season , otherwise the interests of the producers may be seriously affected. That steps be taken to inquire into and remedy the existing shortage of railway rolling stock. That the average prices of New Zealand wools sold in London be published in New Zealand papers. After a long discussion In committee no decision was announced,;in.regard to the following remit: —That the proposal of the North Canterbury Pro-’ vincial Association that all storage space in freezing works be taken over by the Government at once and held under its control in the interests of the producers until the expiry of the present meat contract with the Imperial Government is endorsed. The conference was agreed that the Government bo requested to permanently. remove the embargo on potatoes... '■ It was resolved that the 'Gbvft'nmcnt_ ho urged to • define the main arterial roads and liberally subsidise them; and further, that the Government be asked to establish stations over wider areas to enable weather reports to bo more reliable and that local postmasters be asked to convey information to farmers of coming storms where possible.