FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 May 1919, Page 6

FARMERS' UNION.

ANNUAL PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE. FRIDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. " I ■ I " ; ' 1 Following is a continuation ot the report of; the proceedings at the Farmers' Union prtifincial conference:— SPfiEAD- OF CATTLE TICK. Mr Voullairo (Riverlea. branch) moved: That this Conference views with alarm the spread of the cattle tick throughout the Auckland province, and considers that stringent steps should at once be taken to declare that district infected and to prevent the spread of the tick from the already infected areas to those districts wffich are still clean, as ■was done in the matter of black-leg. He said the matter was becoming very serious. What was wanted was for the areas affected to be declared, and the transfer of cattle from those areas to be prevented until they were certified as clean. Mr Davidson seconded. The chairman pointed out that the ticks were the means of carrying certain diseases though they might not themselves be suffering from the particular disease. Ho quoted some reference to the question from publications lie had received, from abroad. The motion was carried, EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

Mr Washer, for the executive, moved: That provided a suitable farm can be acquired near New Plymouth, the Agricultural Department be asked to establish an experimental farm, on the lines of the, Stratford, farm. He said it was difficult for farmers at a distance to sec the experiments carried out at Stratford, and thought that if a similar farm could be established in close proximity to> New Plymouth, it would' serve a very useful purpose. The crops grown at Stratford would compare with those grown anywhere, and he did not see why such a benefit should not be provided for the northern part of the province.

Mr Sampson seconded the motion. The chairman said he favored a demonstration farm. He did not think there was any chance of the Agricultural Department doing anything if it meant acquiring land. If there was a reserve available, or if there was land that could be leased he thought a demonstration farm could be established, but the district would have to find the land. He pointed out that such a farm was being established at Manaia, and that the Government would help in the matter of seeds, manure, etc. At Manaia it was not proposed to show the farmer how to grow root crops, so much as to show him how to do without them, and go in more for growing lucerne. Mr Washer said syi idea of his had been that the matter should be worked in conjunction with the Agricultural Society. After further discussion it was resolved that the following additions be made to the remit: That a sub-commit-tee consisting of the vice-president, the chairman of the Taranaki County Council and the president of the Taranaki Agricultural Society be appointed to make enquiries as to the possibility of obtaining a suitable section of land. In its amended form the remit was then adopted. SCOPE OF MEMBERSHIP.

Mr Buckeridge moved: That rule 3 be ! amended by adding a new clause between (b) and (c) to read as follows: — Persons engaged in pursuits which are ! essential to the primary production of i the Dominion. He said his aim was to bring about a better understanding be* - tween the farmer and labor generally, and he thought the best way of doing that was by admitting to membership all those who had any share in the work which was essential to the production or marketing of the farmers' produce. Some discussion took the trend of which was in the direction of sym.pathy with Mr Buckcridge's aim, but the feeling was that the scope of the proposal was so wide that the workers in almost every industry would be able to be admitted to membership.

The motion was declared lost on the voices, and on a division being taken, the voting was <1 to 14 against the remit. Mr Buckeridge thereupon said he was so convinced that his object' was right that he would have to take other means to realise it, which would necessitate his resigning the position of organising secretary of the Union Members expressed a hope that Mr Buckeridge would not take the step indicated, but he replied that he saw no other way open to him. 1 ' CO-OPERATIVE BANKING.

Mr Owen, on behalf of the Otakclio branch, intftduced the following remit: That the Government be urged to enact the necessary legislation to permit the establishment of co-operative or agricultural banks in Dominion. He stated the facts and principles on 'which the proposed banks were operated had not been fully investigated and until then be did not think it was wise to go on. He would rather see a recommendation made-asking the executive to inquire in(to the working of the co-operative banking syr^em. Mr Buckeridge said that such banks had been established in Germany, and we the effect of them during the pisa four yeSrs. He said many States in Europe had adopted the cooperative bank system with much success, even in districts where the people were very illiterate, and poor, and if that was the case he did not thi»k there ; would bo any difficulty iu system in a rich country like land. Ho noted that the actin ter of Finance had intimated the likeH 3 hood of a change in the banking system of the country and he thought they should see that the co-operative system was not left* out in any new scheme adopted. He knew personally that the Premier was inquiring into these things in the course of his visit to Europe and America.

On being put the remit was adopted. MISCELLANEOUS REMTTSTlie chairman, on behalf of the executive, moved: That the Government be urged to establish a. school for scientific research into uairy problems and ior instruction. He pointed out that men were being employed to manage dairy factories, and they were required to be experts and yet there was no school or institution where they could receive instruction or pass any examination, and he thought something should be done in that direction. The motion was adopted' without discussion j Mr Washer moved: That a geological! (Purvey of the Dominion should be under-iftfeeni-at kcat&cool.- an& othssj

mineral's that may be in payable quantities .

fflie chaiman, in seconding, said hethought such a. survey .should bo made, as it was essential in the interests of the Dominion its mineral wealth should be located and estimated.

Mr Owen thought the conference was getting out of its realm, and was dealing with matters of which it knew very little. Possibly they did not know what, had been done in the direction of investigating mineral deposits. The Union should confine itself to matters with which it was dealing. Mr Buckcridge pointed out that the matter of limestone deposits was of vital interest to the farming community, and if a survey would bring to light a field of such deposits it would be of inestimable advantage to the agricultural community. Mr Maxwell stressed the importance of the discovery of phosphates and fertilisers of every kind, and said he regarded the remit as one of the most important on the order paper. Statements were often made about these things being found in unlimited quantities but he pointed out that the use of an article to-day was 110 guarantee of the extent of the balue of those same things i\ the future. What appeared as an unlimited supply to-day might in a few years be found to bo quite inadequate for the needs of new discoveries. The fullest possible survey of the whole Dominion should be made! The motion was carried.

Mr Hodge, for the executive, moved: That the Government be urged to take up the question of the utilisation of byproducts and to indicate where savings can be effected.

The chairman seconded the motion and said he believed that even in the matter of wool-scouring there were at present valuable by-products going to waste and lie was in favor of the Government going into the matter as suggested by the remit. After a short discussion the remit was adopted.

Mr Astbury (Mangatoki branch) , moved the following remit: That it is advisable in the interests of just taxation that the present system of collecting graduated land tax from mortgages be amended in the following manner, i.e.—That moneys invested in mortgages upon lands be apportioned upon the unimproved value, pro lata, the part apportioned upon the improvements to be exempted from taxation, as under the Land Tax, and the part apportioned on the unimproved value to pay the same rate of tax in the £ as is paid upon the unimproved value free of mortgage. Inspeaking to the motion Mr Astbury said the system of taxing a man on his debts as at present was very'unjust, and if it was amended in the discretion indicated by the remit, that injustice would be removed.

The chairman seconded the motion which was carried.

Mr. Perry (Mangatoki) moved: That the Land and Inome Tax be amended in the direction of allowing farmers to charge against their income returns sums for work done by tile wife and children apart from domestic duties.

Mr Maxwell seconded the motion and it was carried.

Mr. Astbury (Mangatold) moved: That the Government be asked to have the lands of the Dominion periodically valued at intervals of not less than seven years, and that valuations of contiguous counties be undertaken in rotation according to their position to each other.

The motion was seconded by Mr Voul laire and carried.

Mr. Perry (Afyngatold) moved: That where a number of cadets or territorials can be mustered in a country centre, instructors should attend such centres in the daytime, for the purpose of giving military instruction. He stated that the matter had been brought under the Minister of Defence, and he had given them to understand that provided a suitable building was available and there were sufficient young men to justify it, the proposal might be given effect to.

Mr Astbury, in seconding the motion, said the objection of many people was that their boys after doing their day's work should not be required to travel several miles to attend a drill parade, and what was being asked was not unreasonable.

One member asserted that frequently young fellows travelled considerable distances to attend parades and then found no instructor there, while if tliey happened to mis a drill they soon* heard about it. The motion was carried.

Mr Betts (Manaia) moved: That some scheme be adopted for breeding a better class of bull for dairy purposes. He said the idea was that the Government should introduce good bulls of proved butter-fat strain and they should be placed in districts for the use of dairymen.

Mr Owen, in seconding, said it was (great importance to Taranaki. There j were many herds capable of producing good offsprings, but if a scrubby bull was used that capability wr.s done away with. The present tendency was to cut up farms into smaller holdings, and it became increasingly difficult for small farmers to keep their calves from the best cows, and he Was consequently forced on to the market to buy what he wanted and if scrub bulls were used, it was impossible for a man to know what' he was getting. He had been many years in the business, and found it more and more difficult to get the class of heifer that he could pass on to the dairyman with confidence as a good animal. •

The chairman stated that some years ago a scheme of a similar kind had been tried, but it was found that farmers did not take advantage of it. He thought that men would get on best who refused to introduce strange cattle into their herds. That was the principle on which 'lO went, and ho had very little trouble. There was a difficulty in connection with the care of a bull under such a scheme. Mr Sampson said there were plenty of fine dairy herds in the district anil if a dairyman wanted a .■rood hull there should be no difficulty in getting one. The trouble was that many farmers would not pay the price of a good bull in order to improve their herds, but were content to go round to the sales and pick up one for about "thirty bob." He did not think there was any need for the Farm«rs' Union to interfere or to ask the Government to come in to the matter.

Mr Astkiry said the Jersey Breeders' Association were going to discuss, theft next annual meeting, the quosjfh; of preventing Jersey breeders from f*" 4 . ing grade bulls. On being put to the vote the remit was rejected. Mr Lyndon (Otakeho branch) moved: That the Government be urged to open 11 P and unproductive lands U. the Dominion and immediately survey and authorise money for the epening'up of . same roads and railways. In supporting the_ proposal he said that the prin- ■ cipal aim was to secure increased pro--duction and also to provide a little more j£ComfoEt»for 'those going on these lands.

The motion was seconded by the chairmim and carried. SATURDAY'S PROCEEDINGS, The conference was continued on Saturday, Mr R. Dunn, president, occupying the chair. The following remits were dealt with:— HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER-. MP' Owen, for the executive, moved: That the Government be urged to expedite the work in connection with the hydro-clectric power scheme for the North Island, and especially for its extension to Taranaki. He said matterg in regard to the development of electrical power were moving rapidly. He thought it essential to the interests of the farmers as well as to other sections of the community, and urged that in what Was done in the matter care should be taken that Taranaki was not left out of any scheme that was adopted. Mr Davidson seconded the motion.

Mr Mills referred to the difficulty of getting coal miners, and to the fact that the coal supply, was not inexhaustible, urged that in consequence the substitution of electrical power should be brought into use at as early a date as possible. The idea that there was no need to hurry the proposition was quite wrong—its introduction should take place at the very earliest moment. Mr Astbury mentioned the matter of the New Plymouth scheme, and said that in view of the power available under that scheme, he did not think the Government could be blamed for not hurrying on with the scheme for Taranaki. He pointed out that it had been reported that one dairy company had offered £IOO towards investigating the power available in the streams around the mountain, with a view, perhaps, to linking up with the New Plymouth scheme. The chairman said there was no doubt about the great need for such development. He did not think, however, that wlii's local schemes were likely to be worked out the Government would push on with a scheme for this district. He thought efforts should be made to induce the Government to proceed with all speed with a Dominion scheme. Mr Davidson said in his district there was a strong feeling that something should be done. He felt sure there was ample power available for local use, but if the Government could be induced to go on witfi the big scheme the local schemes would be dropped. Mr. Buckeridge stressed the importance of the coSt of supplying current — it must be cheap. He did net think the scheme in hand in New Plymouth would fulfil future requirements, "because as yet the uses to which electricity would be put were little thought of, and when it came to be used in .outside districts the 7000 h.p. would not supply the demand.

Mr Maxwell said that if there was unlimited power available in the North Island scheme there could be no doubt about the wisdom of pressing for its completion. He thought, however, that the local sources of power should be thoroughly investigated and if they would provide the amount necessary for immediate local requirements he thought a scheme sh/wld be developed with the idea, of linking up eventually with the larger schemes. Ho thought the best way to impress Iho Government, with the necessity of immediate action was to have a thorough investigation made of the power available locally. He was not satisfied that such an investigation had yet been made. A suggestion was then made that an addition should he made to the remit as follows: "And have a completed investigation mado as to the possible sources of local supply."

Mr replied to a reference (hat had been made 1o a rate for the work to cover the North Island scheme. He said the suggestion had been made by a Wellington newspaper. In discussing it Mr Parry had said that a small rate on the unimproved land value of the North Island would provide interest and sinking fund, and leave consumers to pay only for the cost of running, and that would place New Zealand in the place of being the second power in the world so far as the cost of electric current was concerned.

On being put to the vote, the remit, with the addition suggested, was adopted.

FARMERS' SHIPPING COMPANY. Mr R, Dunn, chairman, moved: 1 That immediate steps should be taken, now the war is over, to proceed with the project of the formation of a shipping company, either owned by the State or cooperatively assisted by the State. He stated that when the matter was first suggested it was folt that the most likely way of ensuring success was to induce Govlemm'ent co-operation with the farmers. These matters had been discussed by thp farmers and the Government prior to the war, which had interfered with plans. Now he thought the matter should be taken up again. He mentioned that the proposal had emanated from Taranaki in the first {ilace and been taken up throughout the Dominion. The position now, however, was that all the shipping companies were practically combined and there was one big company, and if the Dominion producers wanted to have their own ships to carry their produce they would have to do it in "one hit," as "if they adopted a piecemeal policy and tried to <lo it by degrees the big combine would simply refuse to lift the remaining produce which the producers were unable to transport.' Mr Buckeridge, who seconded the motion, said it was a very serious problem facing ilie producers. He ; alleged that the big shipping combine had control of some of the Dominion freezing works, which showed its ramifications, and which the producers were up against. Mr Astbury favored a State-owned shipping service aiul did not think a section of the community should undertake the shipping ,pf produce. He thought the Government could as easily transport good 3 by sea as by railway or other means.

Messrs Owen and Davidson also supported a State or national shipping service. The remit was adopted, v , ; ,.- CONTROLLING PRICKS. Mr Maxwell moved: That the State should not interfere in the control of prices or marketing of any commodity, except where the same is being interfered with by the operations of Trusts similar institutions. In supporting the proposal ho said that the great danger from the control of prices was that production would be decreased, and it would be disastrous to the State and interfere seriously with the country's finance. The motion was seconded by Mr Washer and carried.

The same speaker also moved: That this Union is of opinion tlyit the clause in the Soldiers' Land Settlement Act in relation to the three months' 'optionSs not in the best interests of soldiers, and should be reduced to one month. He stated he believed,something had been

done, though lie was not sure exactly what it was.

In seconding, Mr Mills said amended regulations had been issued but so far as he could discover the three months' option was retained. He had seen it reported, howfever, that in certain cases the option had been reduced to a month. It was felt by some that 1 applicants should not be required to go before the Land Hoard for examination, but that the Repatriation Board should be able to do all that was required in that connection. • ■ , ' The remit was adopted. • <

The chairman moved: That the attention of the Government bo drawn to the need for something being done to help and induce the natives to farm and increase production oft native lands. He said that while a good deal was done for the pakcha farmer the native was largely left to himself. .Ha thought the Governmfcnt experts should\o amongst the Maoris and assist them in the direction of better farming and increased production.

Mr Owen seconded, and suggested that .the trouble with the natives was that the land was not individualised. If that could be overcome he thought the way for improvement would be opened up. The motion was carried. FARMERS AND LABOR.

In sneaking of the result of a discussion much took place on Friday Mr Astbury said they would all recognise they could not afford to let Mr Buckcridge relinquish the position of organising secretary. They sympathised with his ideals and believed lie was perfectly sincere in his desires. He thought also there was need for a better understanding between farmers and labor generally, and that probably some of the misunderstandings could be removed if the two sections had a round-table conference. He therefore moved: That with

a view of* placing /tnir aims and objects as farmers before the labai-u«io7is, and with ft desire on our part tp got a better understanding of their lupjs/.a conference to held between members 'of the Farmers? Union and members of the labor uiliQns,.and tljnt tlie remit be sub-. imtted to the Dominion Conference with the hope that; steps be tßkcn to bring' this about at such timo and place as ean' be arranged. •! , / This was, seconded- by Mr Yoillaire and several members supported the motion. which was carried.

Mr Buckcridgc expressed his appreciation, of,what was said concerning him. and said he was in deadly earnest about the matter, imich as he would regret if lie had to leave the Farmers' Union to achieve what, he believed to he an absolute, necessity. , The mutter was of world-wide importance. He felt a conference Would not reach the rank and file of the Labor I'arty. They would only hear the'result of such a conference from their leaders, and the whole trouble was that labor was being Jjftdly led. He' undertook to act as the farmers' emissary to the workers and put before them the farmers' aims and objects, and give them first-hand information. which was what they needed. ! The chairman in supporting tha proposal, said he would undertake that Mr Buckeridge should get an opportunity r,o place his views before the Dominion Conference. ' ' THANKS. At the conclusion of the business vol <>3 of thanks were passed as follows: To those who entertained the delegates to dinner on the opehing.day of the conference; to the executive for, the capable manner .inr'Shich the business of the Union had been conducted during the past year; to the Soldiers' Club for the use of the building for the conference; and to the proa.