FARMERS’ PROBLEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 August 1921, Page 5

FARMERS’ PROBLEMS.

THE TARANAKI UNION. MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Farmers’ Union executive was held at New Plymouth yesterday. Present: Mr. E. Dunn (in the chair), A. E. Washer, S. Vickers, J. A. Kurth, D. L. A. Astbury, J. Swindlehurst, T. W. Owen, T. Julian, H. Hodge, H. A. Sutherland. The holding of the meeting in New Plymouth was a new departure, as the custom had been to convene the executive at Hawera. Prior to the commencement of business, Mr. A. E. Washer, on behalf of the northern members, expressed appreciation of the action of the South Taranaki delegates in deciding to hold a meeting at New Plymouth. He eaid it would show the farmers that the executive was alive to their interests in the north, as well as in the south, and it would further be the means of bringing them together. Mr. Washer expressed the hope that in future occasional further meetings would be held in New Plymouth. Mr. J. A. Kurth spoke in similar strain, and, in replying, the president said he would like to see a bigger attendance of northern members. He pointed out that any member of the union might attend the executive meetings though not possessing the right to vote. He thought it was better to work on the lines of one executive for the provincial rather than creating subprovincial areas in North Taranaki. A QUESTION OF PREFERENCE. At a recent meeting the executive decided to write to the New Zealand Farmers’ Fertiliser Company pointing out that the company’s products had been quoted to people other than shareholders, and to dairy companies and other concerns who were not members of the company, which was contrary to the promise made to shareholders. In replying, the company stated that unfortunately shareholders and generally had not been sending along their orders in sufficient quantity to keep the works going on a profitable basis, and they thought it was in the ■best interests of shareholders that no opportunity, should be lost in pushing' the sa'le of the manufacturers. They therefore felt that under tlik circumstances they had adopted a wise policy in enlisting the support of dairy companies and other co-operative concerns. With regard to the objection which had been raised as regards dealing through middlemen, it was contended that if the company had to deal with farmers direct it would probably cost them more to have selling agents throughout the country working on their behalf. Mr. .Vickers said that one of the original propositions put forward when the company was seeking shareholders was that a distributing depot would be established at New Plymouth, and at other centres.

Further information was desired by the meeting, and it was decided that the secretary inquire from the Farmers’ Fertiliser Company asking particulars as to how manures are being distributed, and the prices supplied to each class of customer.

EXCHANGE OF REPORTS. The chairman reported that there was a proposal that the various provincial executives should exchange communications giving a resume of the business conducted at meetings, so that various parts of the country were kept in touch with the ideas brought forward at meetings. It was resolved that the secretary be instructed to send reports of the meeting to outside executives, and it was also decided that it be a recommendation to branches to exchange with neighboring committees reports of the principal matters discussed at meetings. An offer of a donation of £5 towards the school children’s calf rearing competitions was received from Mr. Geo. Preece (director) on behalf of the Fatenui Stock Food Co., and a vote of thanks was accorded the donors.

Correspondence was read from Mr. C. A. Blomfleld, Dunedin, in connection with the campaign for the betterment of the condition of blind people, and it was, resolved that the secretary secure information as to what provisions are made in New Zealand for blind people in necessitous circumstances.

CONTROL OF MEAT PRICES. The chairman said that the following resolution had been passed by the recent conference, but in his opinion there was little chance of being carried into practical effect at present:—“That in view of the fact that the present slump in New Zealand meat values was brought about at a period when the retail prices of sarfte on the English market were, according to official data, on the increase, snows that the slump is not justified. That neither the consumers in England nor the producers in New Zealand arc benefiting by it, consequently this conference would urge lor the ’favorable consideration of tlx* farmers in this Dominion the question of forming a Producers’ Association, with the object, inter alia, of: (1) establishing retail shops or depots for the sale of meat in England; (2) establishing some, system by which the producers can draw a reasonable sum against their meat pending its realisation in England. (3) that this conference is of the opinion that the present slump is being engineered by the. big meat combinations operating in New Zealand and England, and the New Zealand Government should be urged to see that everything possible is done to eliminate them from our meat trade.” No action was taken. LAND VALUATION. The question of land valuations was briefly discussed, one member stating that Taranaki prided itself on being a butter and cheese province, but there were also the other agricultural industries to take into consideration when on the question of land valuation. Sheep farmers were being hard hit by present values, and he feared that many balance sheets would show a peculiar, position . He considered the existing land values very unjust to certain classes of the farming community, It was a matter of supreme importance. The chairan said there was only one remedy if a londowner Was dissatisfied with his valuations, and that was with the Assessment Court. GENERAL. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded the chairman and Mr. F. Mills for representing the Taranaki branch at the recent conference in Wellington. During the afternoon the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) attended the meeting, and was warmly welcomed by the chairman and members. Addressing the

meeting, Mr. Wilson said it gave him great pleasure to represent the people of New Plymouth at a meeting of such an important body as the executive of the Farmers’ Union in Taranaki. He considered that in a measure the towns were parasites living on the country, as the sustenance of the whole community came primarily from the land.

In thanking the Mayor for attending, the chairman assured Mr. Wilson that the towns were not parasites at all, but each division of the community was dependent on the other. One of the prime objects of the Farmers’' Union was to divert the flow of young people from the towns to the country, and to make the country more attractive to keep them there. The boys’ and girls’ clubs were expected to go a long way in this direction.