THE FARMING INTERESTS.

Shannon News, 16 December 1921, Page 3

THE FARMING INTERESTS.

MEETING OF SUB-PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. The Manawatu sub-provlnciai executive of the Farmers’ Union held a meeting in Levin on Saturday. ’The. president, Mr A. Buchanan, was in the chair, and other members present' were Messrs. J. Balsillie and J. A. McLeavey (Palmerston North), O. P. Lynch (Paraparaumu), A. McLeavey(Ohau), H. Atkins (Manakau), Tatton Fraser (Waikanae), F. W. Hubbard (Tiritea), G. Tully (Levin), and B Gower (Fokton). PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS. The question of the abolition of preference to unionists was again discussed, and on the motion of Mr J. A. McLeavey, it was decided to Write to the Dominion Executive asking it if the matter had been satisfactorily dealt with, and if not that immediate action be taken. EXPORT OF PRESERVED MEATS. The chairman reported that advice had been received from the Provincial Executive that the question of fostering the manufacture and export of desiccated meats would be considered at the meeting of producers to be held at Wanganui on Monday to consider the question of the manufacture of meat flour. Mr Tatton-Fraser stated that the Dominion’s trade in tinned meat had suffered greatly during the w T ar by inferior stuff being canned. Some oi the meat put up in this way was unfit for human consumption. A member: It is all submitted to Government inspection. Mr Fraser: It should never have been passed. The chairman undertook to attend' the meenting and report to the executive. BENZINE TRAINS PROPOSED. Consideration w r as given to the following remit from Rqngotea: That the Government be asked to run special benzine trains, and thus be able to carry petrol at lower rates, so as to compete with petrol-drawn lorries. This, if given effect to, would ease the traffic on the roads.—Remit to be forwarded to all branches. NEW DAIRY COMMISSIONER, At the suggestion of the chairman it was decided to send a letter of congratulation to Mr Singleton on his promotion to the post of Dairy Commissioner to the Agricultural Department. Mr Singleton had, it was stated, done a great deal to further" the dairying industry of the Dominion. ( , PORT OF FOXTON. A sympathetic resolution was passed in connection with the agitation on the part of the Foxton Harbour Board to obtain authority from the Government to acquire its own shipping in furtherance of its desire to develop the port, USELESS AND EXPENSIVE. Referring to the* activities of the Board of Trade, the chairman said that, as at present constituted, it was useless and very expensive. If, however, it was wisely organised and administered with a wider outlook, it should develop, not restrain trade, and encourage fair competition in our foodstuffs. Incidentally he stated that the wheat and sugar controls had much to answer for in connection with the cost of living. He went on to refer to various vital problems, such as shipping and the exploitation of new markets, which, he considered, should come within the purview of the Board.

MARKETING OUR PRODUCE. After a lengthy discussion, Mr Hubbard moved a resolution affirming that it was high time that a farmers produce commissioner be appointed in. London to look after the interests of New Zealand produce. An amendment was moved by Mr J. A. McLeavey that the Dominion executive be asked to formulate a scheme for the proper disposal of produce on the British -and other markets. A resolution was carried that the Manawatu sub-provincial executive support the Dominion president in Lis endeavour to consolidate the various farmers’ associations into one comprehensive body, and urges him to push this idea so that a truly representative organisation may be set, up, with offices in New Zealand ahd London, to take in hand the marketing of 1 our produce, and otherwise help the i producers and the Dominion.