N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1919, Page 6

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

TARANAKI EXECUTIVE. ' A meeting of the Taranaki Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held on Thursday. Present: Messrs. K. Dunn (president), Swindlehurst, Oonnett, Cleaver, Looney, Waslier, Ilodge, Owen, Lambie, and Buckeridge (secretary). The following letter was received from the Dominion Secretary: "It lias come to our knowledge that an instruction has gone forth to freezing companies instructing them to cease cutting carcases of mutton for the purpose of economising space. It is probably correct that, from a trade point of view the cutting of carcases is a disadvantage, but in view of the possibility of a glut in our stores during the coming season it seems undesirable that this practice should be stopped, unless we can get some definite guarantee from the Imperial Government that sufficient ships will be forthcoming to keep our stores reasonably clear of meat. I understand that the freezing companies are considering the question of making representations to the Government on this point, and I am directed by the president (Sir James Wilson) to put the question before you for your consideration. This is a good opportunity to back up the New Zealand Fanners' Union in its representations for a definite assurance in regard to shipping. The Prime Minister should be advised by each Provincial Executive that if the practice of cutting carcases is stopped before we get a guarantee of reasonable shipping facilities there is an extreme danger of a blockage in our stores, and consequent loss to the producers."

Sir. Cleaver moved: "That this execi tive is strongly of opinion that unles there is a guarantee of sufficient ship ping being provided by the Imperial Go vernment to take the forthcoming sea son' 3 meat the practice that has beei adopted of cutting and telescoping car :ases of mutton to save space shouk >e continued, and urge upon the Gov rnment the necessity of using every ef ort to take such steals as will ensure lie rapid dispatch of meat from the Do ninion by whatever means the meal ompanies, in conference with the Gov rnnlent, can suggest." This was seconded by Mr. Owen ant arried. Mr. Owen laid before the meeting the ollowing report from Mr. Deem,, of the Agricultural Department, in reference tc lie analysis of soil for lime: "The reults of the analysis for lime content of he samples of soil taken from your disricts by Fields Inspector Glasson last August have now come to hand, and how .that the different properties re|uire the following quantities of carlonate of lime to bring them up to lormal lime content: T. W. Owen. Fraser oad, 3 tons 4c\vt per acre; C. 15. S. Gane ltuart road, 3 tons 4c\vt; M. Fitzgerald, : tons 12ewt; G. Coplestone. .Ygaere, 1 on 16cwt; H. Wood. Rawhitiroa road, 8 ons 4eWt. I regret the delay in forwarding these results, but there have leen such a number of samples sent in hat the laboratory stall' has not been blc to keep pace with the work." Mr, Owen said that the samples taken howed that there must be a variation n the soils regarding the quantity of ime required. Year by year the farmers fere faced with the manure problem, and housands had been spent in the district ipon manures, largely in the way of exleriment. He thought the farmers hould coriibine in order to obtain expert cientific advice on this matter, so that armers could go upon a direct line, and lot go wasting a lot of money on ex>eriments as in the past. The president supported Mr. Owen in lis remarks.

Mr. Washer suggested that the executive should urge upon the Government the necessity of constructing a railway to the lime quarries beyond Toko, where there was an abundance of lime material of excellent quality. The secretary was authorised to write Department for further information regarding the question.—Star.