TARANAKI FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1916, Page 2

TARANAKI FARMERS' UNION.

MEETING OP TIIE EXECUTIVE; The monthly meeting of he executive was held in ITmvera on Thursday, when there were present: Messrs R. Dunn (chairman). J. Swiudlelmrst, 1. Mackie, H Hodge, \V. Duff, H. A. Sutherland B. On, A, K. Washer. F. Mills, T. Perry' S. Norris, (!. H. Bucke.vidge, J. S. BarrcMv and R. Lambie. AGRICI'LTURAL INSTRUCTOR. Mr. R. A. Browne,""director of agriculture under the Taranaki Education Board, interviewed the executive relative to his future organisation and work. In introducing Mr. Browne the chairman said that he had been already a great factor for good in the agriculture of South Taranaki, and had introduced mnay improved methods; he hoped hewould introduce many more, and that, with the co-operation of the Fanners' Union, he would he able to do still bettei work in the future.

Mr. Browne said that, as they were •probably aware, his work was now under the jurisdiction of the Taranaki Education Board, whose boundaries extended as far as Mokoia. Unfortunately some of his old classes—the Alton members—-would not now be in his district, but really for his particular work the whole district down to Patea should be included, because the natural conditions for agricultural instruction purposes were identical from Patea upwards and right through Taranaki. In his new sphere be would have nothing whatever to do with technical work other than agriculture; the whole of his energies would be devoted to agricultural instruction, and he hoped within two years to have the whole of bis district 'well organised, to be in touch with every portion of Taranaki, and he looked forward to practical assistance from the Farmers' Union and from the local branches particularly. He would like to say now that in his future work he would like to see as much information as possible given through theii daily papers; he would like to see an agricultural column each day, in which various topics would be dealt with and replies to questions promptly given and discussed. He was desirous of seeing the fullest information given to the public as quickly as possible, but before this could be done there came the question of finance to be settled. Salaries of instructors had to b- paid, and the whole question now was the best basis on which this could 'be done. In the northern end they had been working on an excellent system, namely, dairy factories had been making a contribution on a basis of sixpence per ton on their cheese output, and in the southern end the money had been provided by means of farmers' clubs. The outstanding fact was that information should be given to tne farming public as quickly as possiblehow to get bigger returns at less cost. Agricultural work in Taranaki was really simple after all, and this fact was better understood the more one understood the conditions.

After some discussion the meeting set up a committee, consisting of the chairman, Messrs Washer, Buckeridge and Lambie, to confer with committees which might be set up by the A. and P. Association, county councils and other local ibodies, to meet and discuss the best basis of financing this agricultural instruction work in the southern end. They were all agreed, that it .vould be most valuable to farmers, and every effort should be made to establish it on a sound and satisfactory financial basis. CARRIAGE OF LIME.' Mr. Washer asked Mr. Browne if he knew anything of the quality of the lime which lie understood was now available from Kawhia. Mr. Browne said he had seen the samples and they were first-class, and the analysis ran out at something like .14 to MS per cent. _ It came from Mr. Cowern's property, and could be landed in Taranaki cheaply, about 24s at Hawera, with railway freight added, or about 22s without freightMr. Washer pointed out that because of a foolish anomaly in the vailwaj tariff, which provided for the free carriage of lime for a hundred miles from the lime-kiln, the railway authorities would not count tbia free mileage from the steamer's side. It was purely a technicality, and should be brought before the Minister for an adjustment. If this were done it would be a great benefit to Taranaki.

Mr. Mills moved that the secretary write to the Dominion Executive, asking them to bring before the Minister of Railways the anomaly which at present existed regarding the railage of lime, namely, that the concession of free carriage for a hundred miles applied only to lime carried direct from the lime-kilns, and not to sea-borne lime, and asked that the regulations be amended to allow the concession to apply to all lime for 1 agricultural purposes.: also that a copy of this resolution be sent to the chairman of the Agricultural Board.—Seconded by Mr. Swindlehurst and carried.

LAND FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS. The Government Land Purchase Commissioners, in a communication to the Union, said that several properties in Taranaki had been inspected by the Commissioner of Crown Lands and Mr. Hcslop. but at the prices submitted h litem they could not recommend the purchase of any. If, however, the Union Executive could name any particular .properties for which a fair price would be accepted it would facilitate matters. Payment in cash could, no doubt, be arranged. One member remarked that £3(l per acre was the highest price asked in Kaimata, and that was for land right alongside the factory. Mr. Buckeridge said he knew this particular land and the locality very well, and that the price was extremely reasonable. Higher prices than £3O an acre were oeing asked for land there.

The chairman moved that a replv he sent as follows:—"Re your letter asking if the executive of this Union can recommend any property at a 'fair' price, we do not know of any, and-we cannot expect that anyone will sell any property under current market rates. We would /point out that although the land in Taranaki may be high-priced, we do not look upon it as dear taking into consideration its quality and carrying capacity." Seconded by Mr. Mills and carried,

COMMANDEERED MEAT. A lengthy circular letter was received from the Government giving explanations of the operations relative to the meat commandeered by the Government. The chairman did not think any good could be achieved by discussing the matter now, and he confessed that he was not sufficiently informed on the matter to express any definite opinions. Mr. Lambie characterised the document as a very weak explanation at the < ; be»t. Personally, he had ro objection

to the Government commandeering produce if it was for the Army or British Government, or if the consumer got the benefit of it, but he did object to the middlemen being allowed to scoop in thousands of pounds over the transactions.

The was of opinion that not one farmer in the Dominion would have objected to the Government commandeering the whole of the country's produce at a fair price, but what they did object to was penalising some sections, as they did, for instance, in the case of hides. Kvory farmer would have been quite satisfied to have taken a fair price for his produce had it all been commandeered for the benefit of the Government or the consumer, but not for the benefit of the middleman. There was obviously something wrong in regard to the commandeered meat.

No action was taken, and the meeting then went into committee to consider some matters of a confidential nature.— Star.