FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1920, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION.

TARANAKI EXECUTIVE. The monthly meeting of the executive was held on Thursday, when there were present: Messrs. R. Dunn (chairman), E. Maxwell, If. Hodge, J. Rwindlehurst, J. Cleaver, F- Mills and the secretary (Mr. Buckeridge). OTAKEHO BRANCH.

The Otakeho branch forwarded the following resolutions passed by them:

"That this branch urges upon the Government the necessity of allowing storekeepers to stock lime", giving them the usual concessions .on the railway, providing it Was sold to bona-fide farmers at a reasonable price." The reason for the remit was that very often a farmer only wanted a ton of lime, whilst the railway concession applied only to, a truck of eight tons.

"That the Provincial Executive be asked to devise some simple form of guarantee for the- sale of dairy cows in the yard and arrange with the auctioneering firms to put same into force at all sales of dairy stock in the district."

On the question of the resolution re lime the general opinion was that the executive should not endorse it. There was nothing to prevent a farmer getting a truck of lime through his factory or storekeeper on signing the necessary declaration that it was for agricultural purposes only, and there was nothing to prevent a storekeeper keeping lime without, however, the railway concessions granted to farmers. If a farmer wanted any quantity of lime for agricultural purposes he had no difficulty in getting the railway concession, and if he wanted an odd bag or two for emergency purposes it would be no hardship for him to pay a shilling or two extra per bag. If the request asked for by the Otakeho branch were granted it would ultimately endanger the concessions now granted to farmers, and for that reason the executive could not support it.

In reference to the second resolution, Mr. Hodge remarked that although the idea was as old as he was, still it was a pretty good one if ft could be made practicable.—lt was resolved that the president and secretary discuss the matter with the Otakeho branch when they next meet them. SHIPPING MATTERS AND THE OUTLOOK FOR PRODUCEA circular letter was received from Sir James Wilson intimating that the Board of Agriculture had decided to call a representative conference of producers and allied interests, comprising A. and P- Associations, Farmers' Unions, Sheep Owners' Federation, freezing companies, dairy companies, etc., to consider (1) "The present position of the meat point of view of congestion of storage both in New Zealand and Great Britain, and the delays which arc occurring in the arrival of refrigerated shipping; (2) the question whether it would not be in th.e interests of the community if the present commandeer of export meat were extended: (3) the question of shipping service and the feeling expressed by some members of the farming community regarding the establishment of an independent shipping line."

On the motion of Mr. Maxwell it was resolved to request the Board to add the words "and other produce" after the word "meat" in the second paragraph of the subjects t,o be discussed. The chairman remarked that although Taranaki was much more interested in cheese and butter than in meat, the iffattev of shipping was of vital interest to both. The question of establishing a shipping company on co-operative lines, in conjunction with the Government, probably originated at this table and thence went throughout the Domin4on. It was thought then that there would have been no opposition to such a scheme, but recently Sir Walter Buchanan had strongly opposed it. He considered that it would he but a short time —since they were building so many ships—when there would be more bottoms to carry their-produce away than would be required. Therefore in his (Sir Walter's) opinion it would be foolish to embark on a shipping company. It appeared, remarked the chairman, that to establish a line of shipping at the present time, in opposition to the existing combines, it would be necessary to start off from the jump with as many bottoms as would be required to carry all their produce from New Zealand. Supposing they commenced with two or three ships only: What treatment might they expect* from the present shipping Tympanies in rctrard to the balance of their produce? They would be boycotted and penalised in the same way as were merchants who attempted to ship goods to Australia by the few Govern-ment-owned boats thev had there.

Mr. Maxwell added that the position there was that if a merchant shipped any goods by a boat outside the ring not one ton of that merchant's goods would thereafter be handled by the boats of the combine.

The chairman said it appeared to be useless attempting anything in the way of a shipping company unless they could work in conjunction with the New Zealand Government, who, in turn, would have to co-operate with the Imperial Government.

Speaking of the position of dairy produce, Mr. Maxwell said it was his opinion, and in that opinion he was not singular, that the shipping people and the meat trusts really controlled the whole position, and that together they exer- ' cisod such immense power that they were really dictators. At the end of the commandeer the whole of the producers would be at their mercy and would have to accept whatever they chose to offer. The shipping combines worked in with the meat ring, and it was not a question so much of meat as a question of shipping. They could then deprive producers of all shipping until they came to heel, and if there were no ships to take away our produce it would soon mean ruination to the Dominion. It was a serious risk, and although some dairy people talked of increased prices of 3s and 4s, what would be the use of that if there were no boats to take their produce Home? The whole of their financial institutions and the Government combined could not then help them. With the Imperial Government commandeer their money was safe, and he was convinced that they would be well advised to continue to take what they I were getting and be sure of it rather I] than seek a higher price in the open I market with the attendant risks of ship- ' ping space. The chairman reminded them that at the dairy companies' conference iffhen ' 1 the delegates came back from \ Jeriea, ] they all wanted the commandnM'remov- , ed. I Mr. Buckeridge sairl that later information indicated that they were inclined to waver in that opinion. At the Hawera. conference ho expressed the opinion that, in view of the present un- | uttUd fin*noi»l position the world over,

it might be wise to secure an undisturbed market for their produce if possible, even at a lesser prise. With an Imperial Government, purchase their finance was assured; without it thev might not be able to get their stuff Home, and with the unsettled state of exchange and the disrupted position they might find themselves up in the skies.

The chairman: The exchange is now righting itself.

Mr. Buckeridge: To a certain extent only.

As Taranald was alloted two delegates from the Farmers' Union, it was resolved to appoint the chairman and Mr. Maxwell, and failing one or loth being able to attend, then Mr. Mills and Mr. Buckeridge, to go to the conference, when convened. GENERAL. Notification was received from the Dominion secretary that the Dominion levy would this year he 5s per member. It was therefore resolved, on the motion of Mr. Hodge, seconded by Mr. Cleaver, that the levy this year be* 12s provisional and 5s Dominion.

It was decided that this year's Provincial Conference would be held on May 19 and 20, at Patea.

The following was agreed to as a remit from tho executive: "That the Taranaki Executive of the Farmers' TJnion suggest to the dairy companies in Taranaki that they hold a conference at least once a year to deal with matters that may appertain (1) to the general system in connection with factories, (2) marketing of produce, and (3) any other matters.

As the outcome of a communication from Mr- Orr, it was resolved that the secretary furnish to each of the branches in Taranaki a precis of all ■the important matters dealt with by the executive during the year.Star.