FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3199, 27 May 1909, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

SECOND DAY'S SITTING.

FURTHER INTERESTING DIS-

CUSSIONS.

The annual Provincial Conference of the Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union held the second day of its sitting at Eketahuna, yesterday, Mr J. G. Wilson continuing in the chair. The following matters were dealt with:—

A STERN PROTEST ASKEDREDUCTION OF SUBSIDIES Waverley sent the following remit:— "That with reference to an amendment in the last 'Appropriation Bill' passed at lastsession whereby the subsidies of the road boards was reduced considerably, the Farmers' Union utter a stern protest against any curtailment of the road board subsidies." Mr A. Howie moved the motion.

Mr W. B. Morton (Kimbolton) seconded the motion, which was carried on the voices. The Makuri Branch sent the following:— "That subsidies to local bodies should be on a graduated scale * in proportion to the rate struck as suggested by the Royal Land Commission."

Mr W. J. Moore (Makuri) moved the motion, which he said he thought needed little comment. It was recognised by farmers that the reform was needed.

Mr Venn (Levin) said he would second the motion if loans on roads and bridges were included, as the rating was different on this class of work in many countries.

The amendment was accepted by the mover.

Mr Escott (Woodville) supported the motion.

Mr Nevins (Tenui) thought the motion unnecessary, as the Royal Land Commission had provided for its purport.

Mr H. D. Guthrie, M.P. (Feilding) said it would appear at once that to include special rates on roada and bridges would be to ask the Government to subsidise recurring rates on loans which the Government had already subsidised a most unfair thing. It would be better to exclude the amendment suggested by Mr Venn. Mr Venn agreed to withdraw his amendment The motion was passed unanimously. NOXIOUS WEEDS. A remit on this question was read from Palmerston North Branch as follows: — , "That local authorities, including the Government, be re&ponsible for the eradication of all noxious weeds growing on the roads, reserves, or other lands, and that the law be.altered accordingly." v Mr J. Balsillie (Palmerston North) moved the motion, contending, in doing so, that if matters continued as they were now permitted to, iarge areas of country would soon become wildernesses, while in addition the carrying abroad by the wind of seed was already the cause of endless trouble and much expense t? farmers.

Mr H. Dickin (Pon?aroi») seconded the motion, endorsing the views of the mover in doiog bo.

Mr Escott (Woodville) moved an that the Inspectors "uiuli lie to prosecute wichout first obtaining the consent of the Minister for Agriculture. Mr James (Woodville) seconded the amendment.

Mr W. J. Moore (Makuri) said there had been considerable laxity shown by Inspectors in the past, and Government property also was not as clean as it should be.

\Mr T. Moas (Eketahuna) thought farmers should keep the road by their Droperty clear of weeds. It would be i more effective and cheaper method ;han imposing the burden on local wdies. (Hear! Hear! The mover agreed to accept this suggestion as an amendment. The amendment regarding the xiwsr of inspectors was negatived an the voices. The motion as otherwise amended vas carried unanimously. PURITY OF SEEDS, ETC. Eketahuna Branch sent a remit as "ollows : "That legislation be asked for giving power to publish analyses of seeds, chaff and manures where samples to be analysed are properly taken." Mr W. H. bridge (Eketahuna) noved the remit, which Mr T. Moss, if tha same Branch, seconded. The atter dwelt on the evil resulting Irom the unscrupulous vending of bad »nd infertile seed, and seed in which i proportion of noxious weed seeds ve?e found. Ihe motion was carried unanim>usly. SOUNDNESS OP STUD STOCK. Makomako and Palmerston North sent a remit as follows: "That owners of stallions which have not been passed by a duly qualified veterinary surgeon, as free from hereditary disease, be prohibited from using same for stud purposes." Mr A. McLeavy (Makomako) Eormally moved the motion, which Mr J. Balsillie (Palmerston North) seconded. Mr J. Dalrymple (Marton) wished to amend the resolution as follows: —"That this Conference recommends the Colonial Executive strongly tc impress upon the Minister for Agrisulture the necessity that if an Act Sealing with the inspection of stallions standing for public service be not passed this coming session, the krgicultural Department be asked tc appoint four veterinarian officers, two for South and two for North tsland,",who will on payment of £1 issue a Government certificate of soundness and approval to all stallions standing fcr public service, which on examination and inspectior are found free from hereditary unsoundness and defective conformation, the system of inspection to be on the lines of the Victorian scheme, and to be brought into operation fore the coming season." Mr A. C. Perrott .seconded ths amendment. The motion was carried on division CONTAGIOUS MAMMITIS. An Eketahuna Branch remit:—"That contagious mammitis £fbe placed on the schedule of dis-

eases by the Government, and . that an experienced veterinary surgeon be appointed as inspector." Mr W. H. Bridge (Eketahuna) moved the motion, Mr A. C. Perry (Rongotea) seconding. Mr W. B. Matheson (Eketahuna) thought that the motion was asking a very big thing. After a short discussion the remit was put and lost.

STOCK SALES. Feildiug and Palmerston North Branches sent a remit as follows:—•

"That all stock sales, when stock is submitted, for sale, the

auctioneer shall be required to state the namejof the vendor and the name of the purchaser.'' This remit was carried without discussion. AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. Tenui and Shannon sent a remit as follows: "That the Government be again requested to collect the agricultural returns by post, and that a penalty be imposed if returns are not sent in to date." Mr Nivens (Tenui) moved the remit, which was seconded by Mr Venn (Shannon), and carried unanimously.

STATE FARM TO PRISON. Waverley Branch remited the following:— "That the Conference protests against the statement of the Premier in making the Moumahaki State Farm a first-class prisoners' home, and suggests instead it be made an agricultural , college when it will be selfsupporting, and asks the Executive to support the suggestion." Mr A. Howie (Waverley) moved the remit, which Mr A. McGregor (Hunterville) seconded. No discussion ensued, the motion being lost by one vote. MUTUALACCIDENT INSURANCE. Horoeka Branch submitted the following remit:— "That the Conference consider the advisability of forming a Farmers' Accident Assurance." Mr T. Whitta (Horoeka) moved; the remit, which Mr Nivens (Tenui) seconded. The motion was carried. WOOL CHARGES. Horoeka Branch sent a remit, which read:— "That the Executive try to get the charges, on wool reduced."

Mr Whitta (Horoeka) moved the remit, Mr D. Howie (Pohangina) seconding the motion, which was carried.

THE PROPOSED COyv TAX.

A Marton Branch remit:— "That this meeting, while approving of the Dairy Regulations so far as the keeping of sheds and yards in proper condition are concerned, strongly protests against a cow tax being

imposed on,dairy farmers."

This motion was carried unanimously.

RAILWAY CULVERTS. Wanganui Branch sent the following:—

"That in ai! cases \viirr*- ;< railway has bten taktii auoss a public road, all cuNtrts con-

structed acr'iss eoeh mad withi 1 the railroad restrve be ertcted

and maintained by the Railway Department, no part of the expenses being borne by the local bodies." It was decided to leave thia matter to the Executive. COUNTRY TELEPHONES, Wanganui remit:— "That the Government be urged to give better facilities to settlers in the matter of telephone connection, the present charges being almost prohibitive." Mr A. Robinson (Wanganui) moved the remit. Mr J. Balsillie (Palmerston North) seconded. , Mr Nivens (Tenui) said that some 2,000 miles of private lines were connected with Masterton bureau; lines erected by settlers. He said that settlers would find it much cheaper to club together, erect their own lines to within a mile of the bureau, and the Department would then link them up as ordinary subscribers. The motion was carried unanimously. COMPULSORY TRAINING. Mr Hector Booth (Feilding) moved "that in the opinion of this Conference some scheme of universal military training for home defence should be brought into immediate operation, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Prime Minister." Mr Booth said we in New Zealand had no defence at all except the Volunteer service. The idea in his mind was that all those between the ages of 19 and 25 should be trained men, not by compulsorily methods, but that training should be universal. A certain time should be spent in camp, and the services paid for. In Canada they had a svstem whereby Volunteers were trained to a certain number, and if they wsnt below that number then training was made compulsory. What he meant by his motion was that a New Zealand system should be, not compulsory,jbut universal. Mr Escott (Woodville) seconded the motion* He contended that the Volunteer system had proved a ghastly failure, and it would be of great benefit to New Zealand if a proper system of training were introduced. Mr A. McGregor Hunterville en- ', dorsed the motion, which Was carried unanimously. [ The Conference concluded with a ' hearty vote of thanks to the Presi- ( dent, and to the Eketahuna Branch and residents for their kindness to ' the delegates.