FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1917, Page 7

FARMERS' UNION.

TARANAKI EXECUTIVE. The usual monthly meeting of the Executive was held in Hawera on Thursday, Mr. R. Dunn presiding. PRODUCERS' SHIPPING CO. The chairman mentioned that since last meeting he had had a letter from Mr. Richards, who had had a conversation with Mr. Vavasour, and they considered that the scope of the subject should be wider than the FarmersUnion. Mr. Maxwell said that ho presumed the Dominion Executive would see to that; that they would, if they considered it advisable, enlist the co-operation ■of the other divisions of the producing industry. Mr. Maxwell further pointed out that in reply to the secretary's communication (covering the resolution passed by this executive) to the Dominion secretary the latter presumed that this resolution was the outcome of Mr. Vavasour's suggestion. In reply to this the secretary said that this executive's resolution was the outcome'of a discussion and resolution from the Marlborough Executive, conveyed to this executive under a covering letter from Mr. Vavasour. Mr. Maxwell said that this was hardly correct, as tiie matter originated actually with the Taranaki Executive, and was discussed when the question of excessive freights was raised. It was then mentioned that shipping companies should bo reminded that producers had the whole matter in their own hands, and that if they took action could soon create their own shipping company. It was after that that Mr. Richards introduced his proposal, and curiously enough suggested an export tax, which farmers generally were so opposed to. Then, again, as far back as October 18 of last year Sir Jas. Wilson and Mr. Pe.arce were thanked for their timely protest iu regard to excessive freights so that Mr. Vavasour was only one of many who had given consideration- to this matter and it was somewhat of a slight to the others to inform the Dominion secretary that this executive's resolution was the outcome solely of tho resolution sent from Marlbor-. ough. . i The chairman mentioned that already the discussion on this matter had borne fruit. They would have noticed recently an article in the Star in which Lord Inchcape, speaking, on behalf of the shipping companies at Home, had warned us to leave them alone. It had been mooted, he said, that the New Zealand Government was establishing a line of steamers, and he warned people against, such an enterprise, saying that he would not now invest any capital in shipping unless interest on the capital bo invested was guaranteed by the Government. Even if their discussions, said the chairman, had accomplished nothing further they had done good in bringing shipping companies to a knowledge of the position. He heard this question discussed tho other day. and the opinion was then voiced that there were greater difficulties ahead of a producers' shipping company than that of means of distribution at the other end were in the hands of tho existing shipping companies, and the question was how to overcome that They hid control over all ihe line 3 that left the port, over all tho stores and unloading facilities, airl how a new company «as going to get in behind all t'aose ramifications was the problem.

Mr. Maxwell considered that if they once had control of the freights from this end, and could control the bulk of their requirements from Home, then they.could operate independent of any world combine. Mr. Buckeridge reminded them that the ramifications of tho shipping companies were world wide, with an enormous amount of capital behind them. Mr. Mackie considered it unthinkable that the British Government would allow produce from the dominions to be ,lield up in London by any private interests. Mr. Mills": I suppose we can also class the latest move in connection with shipping as the fruit of our actions, namely, that our companies have now to pay coastal freights. That is another kind of fruit: dead sea fruit. After some further remarks the discussion dropped. TERRITORIAL CAMPS. The chairman said that it had been .brought under Ills notice that territorial training camps were to be held again his year, and this was going to inflict further hardships on employees in consequence of the grave shortage of labor. Ho suggested that they appeal to the authorities not to hold them this year. Mr. Maxwell: They have already refused. Tho chairman considered that ths> should make a, further appeal not to hold them till tho war was over. They were no good just now. It was well enough to carry on military training in times of peace to keep the "lads in form, but just now it was of little or no use to those who were going into camp, because they had there to start de novo. Ho moved that the Minister of Defence be asked to discontinue territorial camps till after the war, because of the hardships which would be imposed on employers in consequence of the general shortage of labor.

REPRESENTATION ON MILITARY SERVICE BOARD.

The chairman said that ho had been requested by the Stratford branch to move that the dairy farmers be represented on the Military Service Appeal Boards. Not that they considered that the present Board was in any way unfair, but it would give greater satisfaction to farmers if their appeals were heard by a dairy farmer, who understood and realised the position from a dairy farmer's point of view. Judging from newspaper reports, it looked as though there had been cases of hardship, but the actual position might have appeared otherwise if they had heard the whole of the fajets. It would give general satisfaction to Taranaki >f a dairy farmer were appointed to that Board when dealing with Taranaki cr ses. He moved that the Minister be communicated with in the matter.— Seconded by Mr. Washer and carried.— Star.