N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 69, 20 November 1915, Page 7

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

TARANAKI PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Executive N.Z. Farmers’ Union was held at Hawera on Thursday. Present: Messrs R. Dunn (president), E. Maxwell, B. Orr, A. E. Washer, J. S. Barrow, F. Mills, and J. Swindlehurst. An apology for absence was received from Mr S. Norris, and leave granted. COMMANDEERING MEAT.

The Gisborne Fanners’ Committee forwarded a number of copies of printed data on the question of the commandeering of meat by the Government, and asked the co-operation of th© Executive in the action they had taken. Mr Dunn said that meat was not in the same position as dairy produce. Meat should be paid for when it was on the hooks. That should be insisted on. The Prime Minister had been asked about the difference in the price given for meat here and that charged to the consumer, and had stated that the difference was in the cost of handling. He (Mr Dunn) thought they had nothing to complain abo>rt so far as the commandeering of dairy produce was concerned.

Mr Mills said the difference between meat and cheese was that the Government commandeered what cheese was necessary for the troops, and he wonlu have been satisfied il it had been at a lower figure. No farmer was dissatisfied with the price paid lor his meat, but the dissatisfaction arose through profits being made by speculators. He read extracts from newspapers showing that meat had been sold as high as os lOd per lb. It was resolved that the secretary write to the Gisborne committee informing them that the Hawera A. and l\ Association had set up a committee to consider the matter oi commandeering meat. It was also resolved: “That- this meeting expresses its surprise and disappointment at the Prime Minister’s action in giving to the Press contents of a letter referred to in a Wellington telegram of November 10th, and published in the local paper. Such a manifestly absurd effusion should never have got beyond the Prime Minister’s waste paper basket.’ FARMERS’ LEGISLATION. The Auckland Provincial Executive wrote forwarding a resolution favouring the appointment by the Union of a competent man to watch legislation affecting farmers. The Executive approved of the Auckland Executive’s decision.

COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE On the motion of Mr Maxwell, it was resolved; “That the Taranaki i Executive of the Farmers’ Unions are | strongly of opinion that a system of, compulsory service should at once he i | adopted, and it is the belief of the j Executive that they are, in so advoca- : ting, expressing the opinion of a great' 'majority of the farming community.” i WOUNDED SOLDIERS. I Mr Dunn reported that ho had attended a representative meeting at Stratford, at which it had been deci-j ded to form a Taranaki Association at which small committees would be represented, to deal with the care of wounded soldiers. In addition to what is being done, it was decided to : ask the branches to collect for this fund. Mr Dunn was appointed dele-J gate to the association. 1