FARMERS' UNION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 21, 16 March 1915, Page 1

FARMERS' UNION.

A neejing of the Provincial Executive was held in the rooms at Albert street, Auckland, on Wednesday; present: Major Lusk (president), Messrs Ross (vice, president), Bell, Montgomene, Hamilton, Duxfield, McGregor, Makgill, Buddie and Captain Colbeck. Correspondence between the Provincial Secretary, Mr A. Sehmitt, and the Prime Minister, on the question of a supply cf seed wtuat for the coming season, was read. In writing to Mr Massey the secretary stated that members of the Union had been advised by the Executive to keep back from sale sufficient wheat for sowing. It was felt, however, that in view of the largely extended area likely to be put down enough could not be kept locally, ai.d the probable high price ot seed wheat might militate against farmers planting. In \isw of this it was sugiiestid to the Government that seed wheat should be supplied to farmers, payment for which could be allowed to stand over until the crop was threshed. In reply, the Prime Minister said it would be easily understood that if the Government supplied seed wheat to one farmer upon these terms they would have to supply it to all that wisntd for it, and that course would probably be impossible. The imported wheat he could not undertake to recommend for sowing. Last year the Government did something by paying half the cost of railway freight on seed wheat, and it was possible they would do the same again. He hesitated about encouraging the growth of wheat in small patches because of the small bird nuisance, and pointed cut that much land that would produce a good crop of oats was unsuitable for wheat. He added that the wheat growing question wouldshortly be brought before the Cabinet. The president reported that he had forwarded to the Belgian Consul, Mr R. Burns, a cheque for £2OO, making the contribution of the Farmers' Union for the province XIOOO to date.

Regarding the rabbit poisoning question it was stated that at present supplies of 'poieon were only obtainable at Hamilton, it was resolved to ask the Department of Agriculture to make arrangements for a supply of poison to be distributed from the Auckland office also.