FARMERS’ UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1921, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION.

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. MEETING AT HAWERA. Ti e monthly meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held at Hawera. on Thursday. Present: Messrs. Dunn (president), A. E. Washer, E. J. Betts, H. Hodge, R. Sutherland, A. Cleaver, Sunderland, Julian and Orr. The president referred to the general lack of interest in the union, stating that although they had tried numerous schemes for keepiig the interest alive, ttey had not had the success they looked for. One way, however, of strengthening the branches was the holding of local shows such as the one recently held by the Otakeho and Auroa branches, both of which Were the uneans of adding a considerable number of new members. The rootgrowing competitions should also serve to keep the Interest alive. He was satisfied that the union must have combination, but because an agitation was not going on all the time, some farmers thought that nothing was being done, but the combination was always there when wanted. They needed something apart from economic problem j to keep the members interested in the union, and he was satisfied that if all the branches held local shows and rootgrowing competitions, great interest would be taken In them by the farmers. If prices came down the farmers would realise that they must get the utmost out of theLr farms, and if they did not combine they would have a hard time. Z He believed that all branches should hold regular meetings once a month for the interchange of ideas and not wait until the executive sent letters to them requiring consideration. A general discussion followed, members being quite in accord with the chairman’s remarks that it was necessary to awaken great-, er interest in the union. LECTURES ON WOOL. The Dominion secretary wrote stating that Mr. J. G. Cook, lecturer and demonstrator on wool to the Department of Agriculture, was available to give lectures and demonstrations in various parts of the Dominion and would be willing to include Taranaki in tls' itinerary.— It was decided to write to the Hawera, Eltham and Inglewood branches suggesting that they invite Mr. Cook to give lectures in their districts. CATTLE TICK. The Poverty Bay branch wrote with reference to the question of preventing the spread of cattle tick, statiig that what was desired now was to urge tiie Live Stock Division of the Department of Agriculture (1) That ail stock coming into any district, especially clean areas, must be dipped; (2) define the affected areas; (3) define stock routes, so that stock cannot be diverted from tie stock routes and consequently be kept under the closest supervision. With reference to the matter the Dominion secretary wrote stating that cattle tick appeared to be confined to the Auckland and Poverty Bay districts, no indications having been found further south. The chairman said that most of the matters mentioned by the Poverty Bay branch were at present being done and there was no need for further action. TARANAKI PROGRESS LEAGUE.

A letter was received from the secretary of the Taranaki Progress League, pointing out the objects of the league and inviting the union to become affiliated. The chairman felt that the union ought to Identify itself with a league which stood for the progress of Taranaki. \ Mr. Orr remarked that it was the 'duty of their members ‘of Parliament to do what the Progress League was out to do. The chairman: That’s quite true, but if the members are backed up by strong public support, it is all the better for them. Mr. Orr added that the league's deputation to Wellington had cost £9O, and it was the duty of their M.P.'s to look after their interests. After further discussion, during which it was pointed out that the farmers were .already contributing to the league through the county councils and dairy factories, it was decided to leave the matter to the local branches. DIRTY TRUCKS. With reference to the matter of dirty trucks being provided for the carriage of show, stock, tl e secretary said the trucks were in a much better condition for the last Hawera show. He was irfformed that stock inspectors were empowered to inspect trucks and see that they were x kept clean. CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW. The Mjinaia branch forwarded the following remit for the next conference: "That a Royal Championship Show should be held in the Dominion similar to that held in England."—Received. SIR J. G. WILSON TESTIMONIAL. The secretary (Mr. G. H. Buckerldge) reported that subscriptions fo? the Farmers’ Union testimonial to Sir J. G. Wilsoh had been received from the following branches:— Te Roti £5 10. s, Auroa £3 ss, Mooala £2 2s, Ngaere £2 2s, Otakeho £2, Mangatoki £l. CARRIAGE OF SHOW STOCK. Mr. Hodge referred to the Railway Department’s method# of carrying show stock. He said the usual procedure was for the farmer to order a truck and take the chance if it was clean or dirty, and the department would tell him which train it would go by. He instanced eases of stock arriving at Hawera at 10 o’clock at night, and in copsequence being left without food or water until the next morning. He wanted the union to bring pressure to bear to try/ and get tte show trains to arrive earlier so that the stock would be in a better condition for .showing the next day. He moved that the department be asked to put on an earlier train for the conveyance of show stock. The chairman thought the matter should come from the A. and P. Associations. The resolution was adopted as a remit for the next conference. NOXIOUS WEEDS. Mr. Allen, inspeator of noxious weeds, waited on the meeting. He said that the present season had been so hot; that it had brought on the weeds to an alarming extent, and this was particularly the case with ragwort and blackberry. He suggested that as it was practically impossible for him to get over the whole of his district, the union might be able to influence the Government to either decrease the area or provide him with better means for getting around. Mr. Dunn suggested that it might be best to have local supervision; an inspector to look after one county, Mr. Allen replied that that was a matter for the department. Mr. Betts asked if it would be of any assistance to the inspector if local branches cf the Farmers’ Union supplied confidential information to him. Mr. Allen said he would be grateful for such information. He added that when he wanted to summons a ' man he had to send tke information to Wellington, and by the time he received his authority the weeds had usually gone to seed. The farmer would no doubt be fined 10s, but the main object of the prosecution—to get him to cut his weeds —was defeated. Mr. Allen also referred to the difficulties of his position, stating that in many cases the farmers had to be met. He was pleased to say that in his district the farmers kept the weeds well in check. Mr. Allen also asked that the union should request the Hawera County Council to declare gorse a noxious weed. It was decided to bring the matters referred to up for discussion at the conference. TARIFF REVISION. The Dominion secretary wrote stating that the executive’s resolution regarding the tar-.„ iff revision would be placed before the next meeting of the nationrl executive. Meanwhile he was arranging for evidence to be given in various parts of the Dominion, but from the Infommiop supplied It did not sp-

pear likely that the Commission Would meet in the smaller towns, appearing to be confining tte investigation to the main centres. The Commission was almost entirely a departmental one, the only outside representation being the Board of Trade. The national executive had entered a protest against the constitution of the Commission, but they thought it would have little effect. He forwarded a copy of the tariff so that tho executive could consider it.—The letter was received. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. It was decided to hold the annual conference at Eltham on May 19.