FARMERS’ UNION

Shannon News, 13 March 1928, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION

MANAWATU PROVINCIAL BRANCH

MEETING AT LEVIN,

Mr O. P. Lynch presided over the monthly meeting of the executive of the Manawatu provincial branch of the Farmers’ Union hold in Levin on Saturday. There'were also present: Messrs B. G. Gower, J. Balsillie, F. Maul, H. Denton, 11. McLeavey, T. D. Clifford, J. Dent and 11. Bond. ARBITRATION ACT.

The Dominion secretary wrote advising that the special committee set up to deal with the Arbitration Act would meet on February 13 when not only Mr L. T. Daniell’s proposal, but also the five amendments passed at the Dominion conference be considered. The president read extracts from the minutes of the meeting of the committee. The committee could not agree with the allocation of delegates to the National Industrial Conference. The union was the strongest farming organisation in the country from a membership point of view; yet the number of delegates allowed the Sheepowners’ Federation, the National Dairy Association and the South Island Dairy Association was the same. After considerable discussion, in which the members considered that unless the union was given adequate representation the, National Industrial Conference could not be brought to a successful conclusion, Mr Bond moved and Mr Maul seconded: That the Manawatu provincial executive protests against the manner in which the Government has handled the matter of representation to the National Industrial Conference in excluding the New Zealand Farmers ’ Union'from direct representation, —Carried. DAYLIGHT SAVING.

The Dominion secretajy, in another letter, stated that a monster petition was being prepared by the Dominion executive bearing signatures from the enactment of the Daylight Saving Bill, and he requested branches to obtain a signature from each farmer, his wife and dependants. It was decided to prepare sheets for obtaining signatures to the. proposed petition and a motion emphatically protesting against the re-enactment of the measure was carried. GENERAL.

' The president referred to the bonus on pork and pointed out that the exporters got £30,000 amongst them and the growers reaped little if any benefit. It was a matter that needed scrutiny so that the farmer reaped the benefit of the bonus and not the exporter. Mr Maul cited a case where a farmer got the benefit of £d per lb. bonus and he thought the practice was general.' On the subject of political action by the union being raised, it was resolved that the executive should express its disapproval of the drift of the union in this direction. Attention was drawn to the spread of ragwort in the district and it was decided to aslc that local inspector to take steps to have the weed eradicated.