FARMERS’ UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 19, 22 May 1915, Page 7

FARMERS’ UNION.

j TARANAKI CONFERENCE. The fifteenth animal conference of the Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union was held at the Dniids’ Hall, Inglewood, on Thursday, when there was a good attendance of members. The president (Mr A. Hunter, of Hawera) occupied the chair, and the delegates from the various branches present were: Messrs S. Norris (Eltham), R. Lambie (Opunake), A. Cleaver (Te Roti), A. C. Johnstone (Auroa), C. E. McGuinness (Mangatoki), B. Orr (Ngaere), H. Hodge (Patea), G. T. Davidson (Kaimata), 0. M. Young (Otakoho), and M. F. Voullaire (Riverlea). Apologies for ab‘sence were received from Mr J. B. Hine, M.P., and Mr Davidson, j The President delivered a lengthy and interesting address as already published in these columns, and was unanimously accorded a hearty vote of

thanks. The following remit from the Eltbarn branch was defeated on the voices:—“That in view of the present unsatisfactory arrangements for the freezing and shipping of meat, this conference is of opinion that the Go-

vernment should take more direct con-

trol of the buying of meat from producers.” Mr Swindlehurst said tie understood that the freezing works were getting more than their share of the profits on meat.”

( The following, also from Eltham, was carried unanimously:—“That this conference is of the opinion that in order to distribute the war tax fairly a percentage increase on the present sources of taxation would meet the case.” I The following motion was lost on the voices:—“That the Government be urged to exempt from inspection all oil engines used in farm work; also that this conference is of the opinion that the fee charged is unwarrantable, seeing that there is less risk in this connection than with many implements used on the farm.”

I A remit from the Opunake branch as follows, was carried:—“That this conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union has consistently opposed preference to unionists, hut if it is still to lie continued then the Farmers’ Union should he included.” The following was carried :—“That the farmers of the Dominion be asked to give preference to goods of the British Empire and its Allies.”

A recommendation “That no one he allowed to practice as a veterinary surgeon unless duly qualified,” was defeated.

The following from the Kaimata branch was withdrawn “That the Government he strongly urged to take steps to improve the class of horses required for artillery and remounts.” A motion from the same branch providing “That borough and county councils he asked to place the same tax on sluts of all breeds the same as on sporting dogs,” was lost. The following remit from the Patea branch was carried: —“That the Government he urged to obtain more rolling stock for the convenience of settlers, as great inconvenience is often caused by not being able to obtain necessary trucks and vans.”

A motion was also agreed to: “That endorsement be given to Mr McQueen’s proposed amendment to the National Endowment Act.” It was resolved “That A. and P. Associations he asked to encourage the exhibition of agricultural implements, as they are of particular interest and benefit to farmers.” A remit was moved as under: “Now jthat the dairying industry has become such an important one and takes such lan important place in the primary industries of the Dominion, this conference is of opinion that factory managers, cheese and butter makers, should the required, in appointments made after a reasonable period, has elapsed to permit of the change, to hold certificates of competency, And this conference would ask the Board of Agriculture to consider the question of the proper training of such.” After considerable discussion, on being put to the meeting, nine voted each way, and the chairman said, as it was purely an innovation, he gave his casting vote 'in favor of an amendment that the suggestion lie on the table for twelve months. A motion was carried “That the Government he asked to encourage tree planting on as much land as possible in each district if such land is too, poor to he practically farmed, especially the planting of such land as is infected with noxiotis weeds, with a view to their suppression, and also to prevent the weeds spreading to hotter and comparatively clean land.”

It was resolved: “That the Government he asked to reintroduce the Stallions Bill on the same lines as that drawn up by Dr. Reakes, and shelved by the Upper House.”

Moved and carried:—“That in view f the fact that it is reported that an ndeavor is to lie made by a combintiou of civil engineers to induce the Jovenunent to enforce the employment f certificated engineers only by local iodies, the Dominion Executive be sked to keep watch, and in the event f such an endeavor being made to ppose it.” Officers for the ensuing year were hen elected as follows: —President, lr R, Dunn ; vice-president, Mr A. E. Vashor; treasurer, Mr J. Swindlemrst; auditor, Mr AT. A. Voullaire; xeciitive, Messrs R. Lambie, E. Max■ell, B. Orr, H. H. Buxton, H. lodge, G. Capper, S. Norris, J. Davidon, I l ’. .Mills, 0. Young, J. S. Barrow, '. E. McGuinness, A. Hunter; dele;ate to the Dominion Conference, Mr ). Maxwell.