The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1914. FARMERS UNION CONFERENCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 76, 21 July 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, JULY 21, 1914. FARMERS UNION CONFERENCE.

The Thirteenth Annual Conference of the Farmers Union opened at Wellington to-day, and in the course of his address the President (Mr J. G. Wilson) spoke in optimistic vein of the outlook, and of the remarkable advance which New Zealand has made in her produce trade. Mr Wilson considers that figures show conclusively that Mew Zealand is dependent on her farmers for her progress and stability, and in fact, that the very life of the country hangs upon them. A s might be expected, Mr Wilson discourses on the various kinds of fanning which prevails in the colony, and refers to the march of the dairy herd and the necessity for prohibiting the exportation of ewes unless our sheep flocks too badly suffer. Touching upon the prospects for our produce, he mentions the margarine factor, and strenuously advises farmers to follow the advice of Mr Cuddie to keep up and even improve the quality of our cheese and butter. He does not think that the world's scarcity of meat and the advent of the Gorman steamers are altogether without though ho expresses the opinion that lie has no desire to seo a freight war. As has already been frequently pointed out in our columns the advantages of pig-farm-ing are dealt with at some length, and it is shown that there can be no mora valuable by-product of the dairying industry. High prices are maintained for pork and bacon, and this side-line might be entered upon and pursued with more vigor than at the present time in many parts of the country. Though the President of the Farmers' Union keeps as clear of politics as he possibly can, he cannot help dealing at some length with the naval policy. He is undoubtedly right in remarking that while the absurd position of settling international disputes by force of arms continues, our own insurance against war is to be prepared for it, and naturally while the Motherland is doing this her children must take their share of the burden. Rightly or wrongly, Mr Wilson is an advocate of a navy of our own, and expresses the view that no measure of safety is possible without a fleet, which, however small, would, he considers, soou cr«aU im auinw to the

call for seamen from amongst tke youth of our own land. His advice is certainly in the direction that New Zealand should follow Australia's lead and possess a navy of her own. One aspect touched upon hy Mr Wilson must have already appealed to many people: it is that curiously enough prosperous times do not seem to make for industrial contentment, but with some philosophy, we are advised that we must just accept the position. Altogether the Farmers' Union is to be congratulated on the past year, and the increase of membership and general activity.