FARMERS' AFFAIRS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10291, 28 May 1919, Page 6

FARMERS' AFFAIRS

PRODUCERS CONFER FARMERS’ UNION GATHERING IN THE CITY. The annual Wellington Provincial Conference of the New Zealand Farmers Union was begun in Wellington yesterday. Hr G. L. Marshall, of Martou. presided.

The president welcomed the delegates, and addressed them on various subjects.

"During the last twelve months,” he said, "we have passed through a most strenuous time, nnd it is wonderful to my mind how the necessary work has been got through during the past season. Not only were we left very short-handed on account of the war, but at the busiest time the influenza epidemic raged throughout tho laud, and yet the shearing was -completed without any very sqrious loss, although doubtless many people were in great, difficulties. Dairy-men-felt the shortage of hands even more than the eheepfarmer, nnd they are to be sincerely congratulated for the way in which thov stuck to their work in the face of such difficulties, and the women folk, too, deserve great- credit for in many cases they. kept the dairy herd going while their men folk were too ill to work. The small settler is the

backbone of the country; he works longer hours and puts more energy into his work than any other section of the community, and, this, after all, is what counts in the building of a nation. Genuine endeavour, the overcoming of difficulties, the improvement of land and the building up of a home are sources of real satisfaction to the genuine settler and of real worth to the country. The prospects for the future of this country are bright indeed. It has proved to the world that when fighting is required wo have the best material to band, and when fighting is over our young men are quite ready to beat all-comers at rowing, football or any other sport. I believe the climate is-so favourable-for the breeding *>f stud stock that before long we shall be exporting high quality animals to all parts of the world. This is: a most important point and every endeavour should bo made to see that all stud, stock exported is of the highest quality, such as vjll ensure a keen demand in future years.’ Various remits .were dealt with during the day and references to these are made elsewhere. - •.... A FARMERS’ BANQUET. In the evening a, complimentary banquet was tendered to the delegates by the New Zealand Co-operative Distributin' Company, Ltd. ■Mr J. Balslllie, of Palmerston North, presided. The toast of the Army and Navy was proposed by Mr J. P. I/uke, Mayor of Wellington. and replied to by Mr W. H. f ield, M.P. Both eulogised the deeds of British fighting men. “Our Soldiers” was proposed by Mr T. Shailer Weston, chairman of the Wellington -Repatriation Board. ■ Two returned soldiers, .Messrs Lynch and Moss, responded. On the-proposal of Mr W. 13. Matlm son, of Eketahuna, the gathering drank the toast of Parliament. The Hon. W. O. S. MacDonald, Minister for Agriculture, replied. He said that Parliament was usually what the people made it, and it reflected the will of the -majority. The present Government had had to handle the country in the hardest time a Government ever had, and no Government coujd have .carried "on in such circumstances but for the loyalty of the people. During the war the Agricultural Department nad lost about Hi ot its staff, and In that account it 1 was difficult to make improvements, but in the next twelve months or so it was hoped to have the department giving the farmers the maximum benefit.The Hon. D. S. Guthrie, Minister for Lands, proposed the toast of the Farmers’ union, and Mr G, L. Marshall, provincial president of the union, replied. Mr Hugh Morrison, president of the Wairarapa Farmers' Union, proposed, the toast of the Department of Agriculture, and Mr B. C. Aston responded. The toast of the Dominion Farmers’ Institute was proposed by Mr T. Moss, and replied to by Mr A. Leigh Hunt. “Commerce” was proposed by Air J. Hooton and replied to by Mr J. G. Karknoss.