FARMERS IN CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1917, Page 3

FARMERS IN CONFERENCE.

TARANAKI PROVINCIAL FARMERS' UNION. ANNUAL MEETING. The seventeenth annual provincial cc.»?i'«-ciiec was held in the Stratford Council Chambers yesterday. The president (Mr. 11. Dunn)-presided over an attendance of IS delegates as follows:—Messrs G. Death (Kaponga), H. H. Buxton (Anroa), B. Dawes (Eit'ham), G. Looney (Opunake), 1!. Orr (Ngaero), R. B. Pierce fHawera), P. Mackie (Kaimata)i. F. Lyo (Otakeho), J. Oleaver (To Roti), R. Hughes (Manaia), R. McK. Morison (Stratford). The following members of the executive were also present: Messrs A. E. Washer (vicen"pwlent:. R. Lambie, F. Mills, E. Maxwell, H. A. Sntherland, 11. Hodge, G. Marine, J. Sutherland, and W. Duff. An apology was received for non-attendance from Mr. Stanford, on account of illhealth.

THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The President (Mr. R. Dunn) de'livered his annual address as follows: — I extend to you all a hearty welcome to the 17th annual conference of the Farmers' Union in Taranaki. The war, which we hoped at our last year's conference would be over by this time, still goes on, and the end of hostilities is still not in sight. The events of the past year show that the grip of the Allies is tightening, and successful results are apparent in many directions. The past year's record of frightfulness of the enemy lias proved conclusively liow much Britain was justified in espousing the cause of the oppressed Belgians, and upholding the traditions of the British race which was ever at the call of the oppressed. Britain's part in the war is going to cost the Empi:V enormously in money and blood, but it is to be hoped that the sacrifice will bring about such a change in the affair* of the nation as that will in part compensate us for the sacrifices.

It seems to me that for many years we have been just drifting. /Wealth was comina to England plentifully from her investments, and so long as -wealth came into the country, the majority of the leaders of the Stati were satisfied. No thought of making the Empire selfsupporting, no thought of giving real preference to encouraging production and giving precedence in the Home markets for the Overseas little or no encouragement for scientific research, no heli) to encourage invention; all these were'left to other nationalities to exploit Britain to tlu- .'isadvantage of the British. But, thank Ood, all td> will be. changed after the war. For, given the chance, we have, the brains, and Britain has given an object lesson to the world in the way she has risyi to the occasion and become a fostermother to all the nations who are allie.l to her in this great struggle for justice, and protest against man'-; inhumanity t,> man.

In Xew Zealand we have many problems exercising the minds of farmers at the present time as ac country whoso industries arc principally to produce food. The calling up of so many raca from the primcry industries is causing grave concern. The Government is asking fanners to grow an increased area of wheat so as to have enough for our own requirements. But farmers who is a class arc as patriotic as any in the Dominion, are not too eager to take on wheat planting on an extensive scale, owing to the uncertainty. The farmer lias to take all the risk of weather and labor and a maximum !>s lOd f.o.b. is causing some heart--'burnings among farmers. Tiic position ■■, oem« :o he thai instead of growers selling to the Government at ports they are felling to agents who deduct the cost of transit from rail 'to port, though the wheat is not intended for shipping (the bulk of thevhcit i-- no! at .-II) hut is milled in the district and possibly shipped aflour. The practical (■] eration prove? that the f.o.b. quotation means 5s 1» to one man ami probably os fld or 9.» 7d to another.- It is not likelv such differentiation will induce farm at a distance from a port to go in iov wheat growing, particularly if the difference is to go into the- pockets of ue miller or agent. To induce an increased acreage of wheat to be grown the price should be the same to all growers, which can be done by making the price o.t. instead of f.o.b.

Then there is the butter-fat le.vy. which is affecting us directly in Taranaki. It is reported Hiat this levy will be removed in .Tuna, and I sincerely hope it will be then for good, for ii more obnoxious imposition was never put upon any one section of the community.

The fixing of maximum prices for farm products.—An ar .de bearing mi this appeared in the LondoSi Daily Times to this effect: Limitation of prices operates with dual c(Tec(: it encourages consumption and it discourages production. This has bijcn tlwexperienec of all Governments wMiicli have' attempted to fix a maximum price for food supplies. In nearly every case ,tho maximum prices of the finished rodnets of agriculture have been fixed, while a limitless price still prevails for all ra»v material employed. It has been impossible, therefore, for an intelligent farmer to forecast the cost of production, by what process can you possibly t'ecide what the maximum should be for (he finished product? What the State should do is this: Remove all maximum prices and let the rise and fall of prices operate. Some will say, if we do this prices will soar and the poor will suffer, and the farming community will make undue war profits. I do not ihink prices will soar beyond the capacity of the public to pay for them. With regard to the profits which might accrue to the. agricultural community, the State has a perfect weapon in its possession—the war profits tax. It is very easy to take what is due to the State of the war profits and still leave the farmers the incentive to produce all they can and at the same time get a sufficient price to remunerate tlicm for the increased cost and uncertainty of production. The question of settling returned soldiers on the land does r.ot seem to be any nearer solution than it was a year ag. The Government does not seem to fall in with the views of the districts where the soldier enlisted from and endeavor to get land for settlement in tlin various districts where the soldiers' homes were and the conditions of which they are acquainted, and I think it would be well if the Government would reconsider this matter from this point of view.

' No one can tell until after (lie war what the cost will be to this Dominion, but everyone knows that with our present population the taxation will be very heavy. Now is the. time for our legia-

lalors to formulate an 'itt.raet.ive ach;m.< of immigration to increase the population of the Dominion and by every means possible to make available every source, of production, and by assisting research, open up hew industries an.l have waste in establi-hed ones. It would he good policy to .spenfl a considerable amount of money in inducing desirable immigrants to come- to tiie Dominion and also for tin? Government to take over all land that is at present, unproductive, whether held bv natives oi Europeans, and by a liberal and helpful settlement policy, induce and encourage, men to join the ranks of the producers and by a genuine reading policy in now districts malcrt country life so attractive that the existing preference for town life, will be checked and the production of the Dominion ho increased and taxation proportionately decreased per head. In private enterprise it is essential to spend money to mak; money, and the same applies to the State. _

The necessity of something being done to brine; more of the. Dominion land into cultivation is shown by the Government Gazette 'in the stock census. Ten years ago the Dominion had 20. 108,471 sheep, 15fi.795 cattle, 342,008 horses. In lillfi 24,788,150 sheep, 2,417491 tattle, 371,331 horses. During that period two million acres were added to the settled area of the country.. Our flocks and herds do not show the incr.ease that one would expect. The export of frozen mutton, lamb and beef has gone up considerably, and possibly at the expense of our flocks and herds. The figures point to the fact that farmers have been exporting more than their natural increase or else not breeding to the extent that they should, and the present high prices for'stock has a tendency to further restrict the natural increase whioh should continue with breeding. There arc 41,336,000 acres occupied under various tenures; of this acreage 24,401,800 are absolutely unimproved; This, with 20,000,000, acres still unoccupied, show that tw6-thirds of the total area of the Dominion is still tpraetically unproductive. These figures show the urgent necessity that something should be done to increase the country population and so occupy and utilise the lands of the Dominion to the best advantage.

Transport of Produce.—This opens up a very largo and burning question, and as time goes on the matter becomes more and more acute, but, of course-, at the present time it may be argued that the time is inopportune for the inauguration of a Producers' Shipping Co., but I think it is always the right time ifthc proposition is for'the general good. With regard to shipping, if the producers of the Dominion are willing to pull together nothing can stop them fr.un owning their oxvu transport fleet. There are many difficulties to overcome, but unity can surmount difficulties.

The past season in South Taranaki lias not been so good as usual, the weather being most unseasonable. In the early spring the weather was cold and wet. and later there was a very dry. spell just when the dairyman's return should have been the highest. The rosult of the dry time was to seriously check the flow of milk, and when tn. drought broke, resulting in a rush of grass, the cows generally were too far reduced to respond as they would have done- earlier in their mil ling period, bw wen with drawbacks occasionally, we have much to bo grateful- for. Tannaki has, in the proviois year, put up a record which will t ike a lot of beating. The exports fn m the three poris amounted ill valuo to C 2,051,447, New Plymouth .Cl.SS.l.fl 13. Pa tea ■£],205,287, Wailara £.">-Min7. Taranaki's populaaion is ,"!i,547, so its exports, on this basis, are equal to a little over ;Caa per head. These figures, do not take into account cattle-, sheep, hides and wool sent by road and rail to Wellington owing io sliippirig troubles. These exports are probably a record for the world; so, gentlemen, the fanners of I'aranaki should feel pr-md to lie identified with sreK meritorious results. Tn conclusion, T would impress on farmers the necessity of keeping up the productivity and fertility of their lands lo their utmost capacity, as by so doing they will be doing some little bit in helping the nation in these strenuous times. ~ , ■

EXECUTIVE'S REPORT AND BALAXCE-SH UET. Thp executive's report expressed regret at the death during the year of Mr. James Davidson,., one of the Union's past presidents, and Mr. Outram' M. Young, a member of the executive, and recorded appreciation ,of the valuable work both had done for the ■Union. A second member of the executive had enlisted. His place would be reserved on the executive. A list of the subjects dealt with during the year were mentioned. Representations had been made to the authorities concerned, and with satisfactory results in most cases. During the year Mi. .1. L!. Rim had resigned the secretaryship, and Mr. G. H. Buc-kerklge was appointed. Finances shpwed a considerable improvement on the previous year. Three branches of the Union had been resuscit-ated-—Stratford, Manaia, and Hawsra—and each >\a<l now a strong membership. Meetings kad been held at, several branches, alb which Mr. C. A. Wilkinson had discoursed on the income-tax. !n conclusion, they desired to thank Mr. Wilkinson lot .his valuable assistance to farmers if collection with the iupometax return action in syciMjJ; pq much time in making up their rraans.i; j\ ' r The balftteejjMct showed that during the yeaV;(7jMs 13s 4d had been received, .meliuujfpa credit of £39 Os 7d Jrom the Tjnvicns- year. The expenditure totnl'uf £l3l 12s 9d, included in which werp JJominion dues £29, executive's expeses £ls, salaries £33 -Ss ; 4d, leaving a predit of £(<•> Os 7(1. The audit.oi'. W. Vonllaire, commented on the imjrovcd state of finances, and suggested ihat in future the balancesheet bo tjled and distributed, so that members shVild be in direct touch with {lie fmanciabide of the 'Union.

BTOE.R-FAT, LEVY. A remit fx'On the Ijpunake branch: "That as the eturns for dairy produce represent the Xigos of a dairyman ami iiis family, wliit wages are in fact tlw hardest earned nd at the lowest rate of any section < Iho community, m, protest against \e Ixitter-fat levy." Eltham also against the but-ter-fat levy as belt unfair ia its application ami not in »y way a war tax. Tlio executive also pitested against its, imposition as being l>.]i unjust and called for. \

Mr. K. Maxwell stateithat a deptta'. tion had gone to WellingV 0 n tho mu'tter, but had received verjutde enco'urogement. Tho Minister hajMt; <>n the patriotic theme, bub the they bad placed before the was such as should have enabled hil. collle to a more suitable means. \ The president said be was ilj er - j] )e impression that tho butter-fat )jl„ not a patriotic move at all. L was

strongly against any class tax whatever. Mr. Dawes (Eltham) said they all believed it decidedly unfair. They all knew their duties, but believed a better method of taxation should have been adopted. Mr. Looney (Opunake) believed that it was- not a case against taxation, but merely a protest against tho levy. INCOME-TAX. Riverlea submitted the following rertiit: "That the Tarannki Farmers' Union offer their services to returned soldiers of Ta'ranaki to assist them in finding good positions, i.e., men who havo not succeeded in finding work I through the Government." Mr. Mills (Ilawera) believed this a matter that could be better undertaken :by the War Relief Association. "That as the labor of a farmer's family, especially that of a dairy farmer, is so essential to the carrying on of the farm work, and so greatly affects the amount of the returns received, the value of such services, 011 a basis of the wages ruling— of course, to the proportion of time spent on .purely farjn and not household work—should' be allowed as expenses in making up in-come-tax returns; or that there should be an additional exemption of-say £SO for each member of the family over say fouvtsen years of age, whom, though not actually on pay, the head of the family makes declaration was engaged for at least a third of their time on the farm work."

Mr. Maxwell moved the above resolution, asking that it bo considered in conjunction with the Riverlea rpmjt. Mr, Lambie (Opunakt.) said there was the sentimental side of the questioji. It was hardly the correct thing that 'they should require to treat their sons and daughters in the light of laborers, and that was jvhat the income tax indirectly did. The remit was carried. Mr. Malonc (Riverlea) introduced the following remit: That it be a recommendation to the Government that farmers' incomes and excess profits returns be set out in one paper instead of in tjifo, as at present, thus simplifying the filling in of returns.—CarriedMILITARY SERVICE Wi'. j The following remit, moved by Mr. Pierce, Ilawera, wa£ carried:!, That this meeting of the Now Zealand, Farmers' Union expresses its sympathy and willingness to heartily co-operate with the Government in their endeavor to'carry out the provisions of the Military Service Act, and also that this meeting urges the authorities to deal forcibly with strikers and their sympathisers. CULL COWS AND BULLS. "Thai it be a recommendation to the Government that all cull cows and hulls should be branded to prevent same being again sold for dairying purposes," was introduced by Mr. Malone (Riverlea delegate) and carried.

CARRIAGE OF AGRICULTURAL LIMK ''That the Government be asked to give encouragement to the development of limo works by extending the provisions for the free carriage of agricultural lime to sea-borne limo and to lime from works not contiguous to a railway.". This was introduced by Mr. B. Dawes (Eltham) and carried. LAND AGENTS ACT AMENDMENT. "That the Land Agents Act be amended so that where a land agent is acting for both parties a solicitor be engaged to draw up the contract."—Carried. FARMERS' BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS. "That some simple and satisfactory scheme should be devised for the purpose of inducing farmers to keep proper books and accounts."—Moved by Mr. K. Maxwell, on behalf of the executive, and carried. UNIFORM SUBSCRIPTION TO BRANCHES. "That it be a recommendation to the Provincial Conference that the membership subscription to branches ba uniform." This was introduced by Mr. B Dawes (Eltham), who said his -wn believed that a scale of fees in all unions should be similar. Mr. Washer favored the remit. He said that Hawera would charge £1 per member, Auroa 10s, and Patea 12s fid. They did not define any boundary; consequently a man wanted to know why lie had to pay more to join his union than to join another.. Mr. Maxwell moved an amendment—"That a uniform charge of £1 Is per member bo adopted." This was carried THE I.W.W. UNION. ! "That the T.W.W, Union be. declared ['an unlawful association." This was ■brought up 'by Mr. Buxton (Auroa). An amendment by Mr. Mackie —"That ''the discission be closed and remit withdrawn" was carried.

STALLION BILL. "That tlie Stallion Bill,, as drawn' up Ojy ])r. Reakes and presented to Parlla ment, be made law.'I—Carried. 1 —Carried. VALUATION ROLLS. "That the Valuer-General be asked to exercise greater care in keeping harbor boards and other local authorities supplied with up-to-date valuation rolls."' introduced by Mr. Buxton (Auvoa) and carried. VALUATION OF LANDS. The of valuation of lands was then, reviewed, Messrs Tom ( Perrj ;

(Mangatoki) and E. Maxwell favoring the suggestion that the valuation be made at least once in seven years, and a motion in this direction was carried. ECONOMY IN FOODS. "That it be a recommendation from this conference that tins people of the Dominion should economise by using more vegetables and reduce, the jnoro costly foods—vegetables costing only Id to 2d per lb." This remit from the Auroa branch was earned. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH TO PRE- ' VENT WASTE. "That the time lias arrived when scientific research should be instituted to prevent *'waste, and to provide'for the utilisation of waste products;" This Auroa remit was carried. ✓ , SOIL SURVEY. "That a systematic soil survey should be undertaken to determine the requircI ments of the land." Introduced by Mr. Washer and carried. I QUALIFICATION OF MEMBERS. .

"That Rule 3 be amended by adding a neiv clause between (b) and (c) to read as follows: 'Persons engaged in anv pursuit which is a necessary part of the. production of the Dominion.'" The secretary (Mr. Buck'eridge) said he was responsible for the above remit. Ho stated that there was quite a number of people in the county who were producers who would be only too glad to join forces to increase essential productions. We hail to depend on the others to see our stock was shipped. We had to study the worker. It was necessary we should have them working amiably for us. Ho believed there were tremendous industrial troubles ahead. These had to be overcome, and if these were not amicably settled it might lead to force, and who can say where it will then end. We must include all those interested in our produce 1 if we desired to get the best results. It was as much to the interest of the workers, as to the union members and the country, that we should work together. The workers may be a minor part in the production, biit they were there, and entitled to consideration. The wealth of the country lies mainly in the farm production, and we were dependent on each party for this production. He touched on the question old age pensions, and its workings. Ho also re- I ferred to labor and capital, and he believed the farmers of the land were in the best position to bring about a good understanding, recognising the difficul- i ties of labor and the responsibilities of' capital. ' |

The president, in endorsing the secre- I tarv's address, stated it was always do- I sirable that thero should be an amie- ] able understanding between all branches J of labor. j Messrs C. Lye and Mills were in sympathy with the idea. Mr. E. Maxwell was lmrdly in accord with Mr. Buckoridge's remarks. There was already a big breach between labor (organised labor, be inferred) and capital. Taking the given number of hours a man worked they would find 1 tho farmer had to work as bard as any. The cost of living was becoming very acute. In one case they would find the employers trying to get as much work out of their men as possibles whilst organised labor was determined to give the least work for the wages offering. Mr. Buxton said that there would always bo a feiling party. / Those who d:d not understand the farmers' requirements would be up against them, and look after their/own interests, and the^

(the farmers) should be ready to unite for their welfare. Sir. Lainbie said "the great brother' hood of man" was the glorious thought. They must continue to do their best for the cause of humanity. After Mr. Btickcridge had replied, the :ranit was lost. • ELECTION OF OFFICERS. " .. Tho election of officers was.then taken, and resulted as 'follows: President, M?. R. Dunn (Hawera); vioe-president, ill 1 . A. E. Washer (Patea); treasurer, Mr. .Ins. Swindlelmrst (Mangatoki), executive, Messrs E, Maxwell, G. H. Buckeridge, H. A. Sutherland, M. Phillips, B. Dawes. T.' Perry, F. Mills, H. Hodge, B. Orr, H. H. Buxton. D. Hughes, R-. B. Pierce, C. Lye, R. Xiambie, J. S, Barrow, W. Washer, and E. V. Duff, GENERAL. Mr. E. Maxwell was appointed delegato to represent the union at the annual Dominion conference. Mr. H. Voullaire was re-appointed auditor.