Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

I'fIOVINCIAI, CONI'ERENCJft

Tho eighteenth annual' conference of the Taraualii Provincial District of tile New Zealand -Farmers' Union, which was commenced at Hawcra on Thursday morning, was concluded on Thursday evening. The following additional remits were dealt with: GROWING OF SEEDS. Auroa Brand].—That the Farmers' Union do all in its power to induce farmers to go in for growing seed for root crops. Mr. H. H. Huxton, in moving thought it, would be a step in the right direction if the farmers m various districts formed associations for growing the various seeds, and besides being assured of seeds free from woods, they would Keep the money in the country. Mr. Perry, in seconding, considered that the step was a good one, though there would be considerable difficulty. He had endeavored to grow his own root seeds, but they ran too much to neck.

Mr Lucena said the State farms should be asked to assist in the matter. If farmers grew their own seed they would probably get better strikes.

Mr. Tierce stated that tiie moist climate in TaranaM was unsuitable to seed growing Mr. Mills favored an endeavor being made to make the Dominion self-contained in the matter of seeds, which could be grown in the districts most suitable

Mr. Maxwell suggested an amendment that tn» Farmers' Union do all in its power to go In for growing seed for farming purposes, and that tho Agricultural Department be asked to collaborate, especially as regards districts and soils suitable. The amendment was carried. ' THE COST OF PRODUCTION. Eiverlea Branch.—That in view of the fact that the Government commandeers all farm produce, or at any rate fixes tho price thereof, the time has arisen for the Government to step in and prevent tho continual, and in many cases unjustifiable, increases In the price of farm and factory requisites. This was withdrawn.

On behalf of the Hawera branch, Mr. Voullaire moved: That the Government, when fixing the prices of any products of the Dominion, at the samo time regulate the cost of material and other matters regulating the cost of production.

This was seconded by Mr. Pierce. The chairman said that in fixing the price of wheat the Government had dono a little in that direction by fixing a minimum price. Mr. Mills: Would you favor them fixing a minimum price as regards tile cost of materials?

Mr. Astbury said that the politicians would get out of tho matter very easily by nailing the Farmers' Union down to specify exactly what they meant. The remit meant going into the whole cost of production from A to Z.

Mr. Maxwell did not think that the Government had ever accepted the principle of taking goods from them at any price. This was simply a war expedient, and he hoped It would die away with the war. He was opposed to State regulation of prices. The remit was withdrawn. CONDEMNED CATTLE. Rivcrlea Branch—That it ho a recommendation to the Government that the compensation for condemned cattle be so arranged that the owner of the condemned beast shall receivo the full half of the value thereof, according to its breeding, age and market value. Mr. Voullaire, in moving, said that those who had gone in for pedigree cattle thought that a higher value should be obtained for those condemned.

Mr. Perry, in seconding, thought this would open up a very big question. Who was to blame if a man purchased a bull for £llO and some three months after it was found to be diseased? It was certainly not the Government, when they were asking to pay at the full value.

Mr. Maxwell asked whether the insurance companies would insure in sucli cases.

Mr. Buxton said that a man might give an exorbitant price for an animal that he wanted, whereas that might lie much above the standard value. If a breeder could not afford to lose a pedigree animal he should keep out of breeding altogether. Mr. Lucena thought it would open up the door. Mr. Astbury said if it was advisable for farmers to specialise in particular breeds somo extra allowance should be made, provided it could be shown that he purchased it on a veterinary certificate. If it then developed disease, it would be better for the Government to pay for the animal rather than let there be the risk of its progeny being diseased. Tho remit was withdrawn, the president undertaking to go into the matter of insurance.

PRODUCTION OF NITROGEN. Hawera Branch.—That the Government be asked If it contemplates tho use of hydroelectric power for the production of nitrogen for fertUislng purposes.

In moving, Mr. Mills said (hat while the time was not opportune to ask the Government to take action, steps could bo taken with the preliminary work. Up to the present not much nitrogenous manure had been used, but much more would be required as time went on. Wera wo to depend on other countries for our supply? Chili was the only place where nitrates were obtainable in any quantity at present, and it was exporting 3,000,000 tons, which was mostly used for other than agricultural purposes. Germany, by putting in a large electrical plant, the power for which had been obtained by using a low-grade coal, had manufactured her own supplies of nitrate. He questioned whether it would be possible to utilise the hydro-electric schemes tho Government now had In view for the purpose, as it was essential that very cheap power must bo provided before it would pay, and as the quantity of electricity required was very great—one horsepower throughout the whole year only producing m tons of nitrate. The Government should now go thoroughly into the whole question, so that when times were normal there need be no delay, because he was convinced that the demand would exceed the supply. He understood that at the West Coast sounds there was a place where 750,000 horse-power could he devebped at a cost of about £3,000,000, which, allowing for interest, maintenance, etc., would mean an annual cost of less than 10s per anuum per horse-power. The chairman, in seconding, expressed the hope that there might be no need to instai such an expensive plant, as he understood that an American had discovered "Free Energy." The resolution was carried.

HYDRO-ELECTRIC I'OWER. The executive tabled a remit: That tho Government be asked what provision is made for Taranakl In the proposed hydro-electric power scheme. Mr. Buckerldgc stated that he had been in communication with Mr. E. Parry, chief electrical engineer, over the matter, and he stated that as soon as a definite policy had been declared to issue plans showing the nature of the scheme and also statements as to the policy. He also hoped to follow this up by means of lectures in different centres, so as to acquaint tho public with the scheme, and to Inform them an to tins responsibilities of local and other authorities in carrying out the scheme. Tho remit was accordingly withdrawn. THE REFERENDUM. On behalf of the executive, Mr. Maxwell moved: That the union resis. any attempt te introduco the principle of the referendum. He considered that the principle underlying the referendum was wrong. They elected men who were the most able, best fitted and trustworthy to represent them in Parliament, and those men used their judgment in dealing with each subject as it occurred. If they adopted the referendum they could never get u Government out of office, because any debatable questions could be refenv : to the people, whereas it should be debate.! hi Parliament. Possibly 99 out of every 100 people might be ignorant of the principle involved, and vote blindly. They had had a very glaring caso witli terrible results In Australia.

Mr. Pierce seconded, Ktating that though a native of Australia lie would be very very sorry to see his adopted country take up the same attitude as Australia.

Sir. Astbury said that the principle had been approved over the liquor question, and the remit should bo altered so as to object to the extension of the referendum. This was agreed to and carried. IMPOKTATION OF CATTLE.

Patea Branch: That a protest lie made to the Government against the importation of cattle from Australia for the State farms when similar facilities are being denied to private individuals. Mr. Washer, in moving, considered that the State farms could import what cattle they liked, and private farmers could not. Seconded by Mr. Astbury. Mr. Marfell did not like to see any obstacles placed in the way of the Qoverumcut importing cattle. He thought the roinit should be amended to ask the Governmeiit to give private Individuals the same facilities as the Government. This was agreed to,' and the remit as amended was carried. ' VARIOUS REMITS. Remits from Manala imd Auroa, to the effect that manufacturers ami vendors of fertilisers' be urged that lime and manures he packed in lewt. bag 3 were carried-' without discussion. Air. Buckeridge (executive) moved: That the

Government be asked Id make enquiry into the manufacture of "Oakoal" and its possible utility for this Dominion. Ho explained that this was a fuel made from the garbage of cities. It was being manufactured at Austin, United Stales. The following remits were carried: Manaia Jirancli.— That the various county councils be urged to erect linger posts for the guidance, of the travelling public at the junction of by-rnads with main roads. Stratford Branch.—-That the Government be urged to give the concession of 100 miles free railway carriage on sea-borne lime, as in the case of lime from works contiguous to the railway. Executive.—That in order to enable purely co-operative companies to permanently maintain the co-operative principle the Companies Act be so amended as to permit all co-operative companies resuming their own shares, in the same manner as provided In the Dairy Companies Act. The following remits were withdrawnStratford Branch: That the Government be urged Unit all mortgages at the end of the war be extended in proportion to the time the mortgage had to run prior to the war at the former rate of interest. It was considered that the recent legislation practically provided for tins. Stratford Branch: That the Government be urged to legislate that In the case of stock straying on properties the owner of'the property advertise such within 21 days. . AFFORESTATION. Mr. E. Maxwell moved, on behalf of the executive: That the Government be, urged to push torward afforestation, especially with regard to quick growing trees suitable for the fruit growing unci dairy-farming 'industries. This Mr. Maxwell, stated, was a. pet subject of his, but he would not go fully Into It. ill however, know that white pine was becoming 5 very scarce, and that it would be necessary to rep ace it. Moreover, whito pine grew on land tnat was valuable for productive purposes. In tact, lie was astounded what this added to : the cost ot production, and it must be acknowledged that there was not much use stopping the export ot white pine. It had been proved that piniis mslgnus had made first-class cheese cases, and was nearly as good as white pine for butter boxes. It would grow in anv climate from the North Cape to the Bluff, on good land or poor land, and had no equal as a weed suppressor, and land that was very! ■rough and weed-infested, which It would not pay to reclaim, should he planted with pinus insignia. It had proved an excellent timber, and he had seen trees destroyed about the district Infinitely superior to the Oregon pine thai was !'Z?,- , C it W m !l smi buildinß timijer > an(l though it woud not compare with the best New Zealand timbers, he would prefer to use it to soma of tho inferior timber that was being toned out by some of the mills at present. It bad been suggested by an eminent man with considerable knowledge on the subject, that New Zealand timbers grew as quickly as" exotic trees, and that New Zealand timber should he replaced with New Zealand trees, hut he would not hesitate to say that data did not bear out that contention, and, from an economic point SL vle , w ' !t m was ~0 l™ less "s a solution of the difficulty. They should retain as much native bush as possible for New Zealand bush contained some of the most beautiful trees in the world, and he regretted to seo the destruction in such a ruthless way of bush on land that in many places had no agricultural value. He hoped all would do what they could to prevent its destruction, but to look to the planting of native trees to regenerate the timber supply was hopeless.

Mr. Washer, in seconding, said that in this province particularly it was essential to know tnc quick growing trees to provide shelter both lor stock and crops.—Carried.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19180518.2.8

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1918, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
2,153

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION. Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1918, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION. Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1918, Page 2

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert