FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1920, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

MEETING OF PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. The executive of the provincial district of the Farmers' Union held, a meeting at Hawera on Thursday. The secretary placed the circular sent to the different branches, witli a view to arousing greater interest in the Union, before the meeting. Speaking of the work and aims of the Union, the chairman expressed his approval of the intention of the Otakeho branch to hold a bull parade with the object of seeing which farmer had the best dairy bull. It was efforts of this kind that they wanted to encourage. Mr. Washer was appointed representative for the Union on the War Relief Association. «

The chairman spoke very highly of the War Belief Association's administration of its funds, especially in regard to disabled soldiers, all of whom would, under the latest provision, re n eivo something. The Southland provincial district, executive wrote stating that it had resolved to ask the Prime Minister to consider the suggestion to give the farmers' coop. associations throughout New Zealand the option of handling the New Zealand proportion of the Nauru Island phosphate deposit, in order that fertilisers may be secured at cost price. The chairman said they could not support this proposal. The farmers' cooperative sooieties were entitled to their fair share. The letter was received, and it was decided to take no action. The president, vice-president, and Messrs. Maxwell and Julian were appointed to give evidence before the commission on the Taranaki County Council's vehicle tax by-law. BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUBS,

The president said it would be a good thing to hold a conference of the Technical School Committee, the heads of district schools and other gentleman Interested in the welfare of agricultural and farming interests. At the eonrerelice a workable scheme might be framed. Boys and girls' clubs had advanced considerably in Canada and the United States, and the benefits of membership were available to town as well as country children, provided they cared to take it up, A list of subjects for the children to be examined in would have to be prepared, and cprtain prizes would be ollered. In a competition for the rearing of calves it would bo quite possible for some of ihe town children to compete. A calf could now be artificially reared, and it would "be all the more creditable to a boy or girl if lie or she con'd rear one on a small town section. He (lid not think there would be any difficulty in getting calves. They could be of any breed, but it would tie necessary lor (hem to be high grade and capable of development into good cows. .Iliey v.-c.'iid not., ':f "onrse. require {lie progeny nf registered slock. In o fli«r wii,;r>s tin- calves used in this way were :>ur.:h<isod by the parents on promissorv notes, and the children sold later and collected the difference in price, but this was not proposed under their scheme He lmd no doubt that manv fanners would lie prepared t.o give a newly-born calf. They wanted to inculcate in ihe children of the town a love nf the country, and in this scheme they had a means'for doing so. It was for the t nion to push the scheme ri lar as thev could-

The chairman =aid that the calves roared by the cliiklren could afterwards be entered at special exhibitions and prizes awarded. \ Mr. Buekeridge mentioned that some of the calves reared by hnvs in Canada sold for as much as £BS. He added that in framing the scheme he had been influenced by the belief, based on experienee. that to make a success of anything thev must interest the people. If tliev interested the children tliev could be. Mire of the support of the parents. They also wanted the help oi" sehool teachers and to cultivate a friendly rivalry he-' tween schools. He had' suggested a children's field week, at which competitions such as the judging of stock could ho held, and during this week the examinations in work done during the vear could he held. If they could carry 'out the scheme it would have very far-' reaching results in New Zealand.

REMITS. In discussing remits for the conference, 'r S I an efTort shouia ~p mad. to have the time allowed for unt ° m, / n f*' rall F a .V-truck at a station extended from eight hours to sixteen hours, j.his, he pointed out, was particularly not'™ u ? flf>R station and when lotice could he sent, of the time of the trucks arrival. Instances were given of farmer, having to visit a station three tiif only to find each time that the truck had not arrived, and n one case where a man was unable, through circumstances for which the Department was partly responsible, to remove his goods, he had been called upon P a ?" a demurrage fee of 12s. Air. Owen went into the question of high prices for superphosphates. Last, year ho said good superphosphates could ho had for C'l and this year £l2 was being quoted. This wrs the limit, and farmers could not afford" to do much top-dressing at present prices. He thought the Government should be urged to bring about an improvement. The absence of fertilisers at a reasonable figure affected the productiveness of the land an J concerned the whole of the people .of New Zealand. The matter should lie taken up vigorously. The president said the transaction in connection with Nauru Island ivould he completed in July, and by spring the superphosphates should be arriving' in Zealand. No time had been lost through slackness.

Mr. Owen said that the Department should bp making preparations for converting the fertiliser immediately it arrives into the form in which farmers could use it.

The president said that the differed iirms could he relied upon to have the necessary crushing plants, and there would he little delay providing the sulphuric acid needed in producing the finished fertiliser wtu available-' There was 110 harm in framing a. remit, but they were not the only people in Xpw Zealand who were short of phosphates. Mr. Hells asked what had become of Mr Wilkinson's Toll Hate Bill. It was time for thorn to take a stand with regard to toll-gates or every fanner would have one at his door. Waimate West Counly Council was talking of going in for one, and had said that they might as well be wilh Die crowd.

lhe chnirman brought forward several ninttcM which fonn the subjects of remits, including a more vigorous policy in carrying out public works, the studv of economics at high schools, the need for more settlement of new lands. After a liftle further discussion, a. committee consisting of (he president

mid Messrs. Mills. Tiuckeridae and Maxwell was appointed to frame remits. — Star.