FARMERS’ PROBLEMS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 May 1938, Page 9

FARMERS’ PROBLEMS

♦ MEETINGS OF WAIRARAPA BRANCHES GUARANTEED PRICE & OTHER ISSUES. ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION. The annual meetings of Wairarapa branches of the Farmers’ Union have been held during the past few days. At each meeting the secretary read a comprehensive address prepared by Mr H. Morrison, Provincial President. In every case the address was extremely well received as typified by the following resolution passed by the Carterton branch: “That we are extremely fortunate in our Provincial President, Mr H. Morrisonr. We heartily appreciate his address and his efforts on behalf of members and hope he will continue in office for years to come.” The motion was carried by acclamation. Details of the branch meetings are: — GLADSTONE. At the annual meeting of the Gladstone branch, Mr Alex. Ross, chairman, occupied the chair. The election of officers resulted:— Chairman, Mr A. Ross; vice-chair-man, Mr S. Dalgliesh; delegates to provincial executive, Messrs A. Ross, D. McGregor and K. Groves; delegate to interprovincial conference, Mr A. Ross. The following remits for the interprovincial conference were adopted: — “That the dairy farmer should receive a price per lb for butterfat under the guaranteed price to enable him and his employees to enjoy the same standard of living as workers in towns.” “That in fixing the guaranteed price for butterfat the case for the producer should be adequately presented in public hearing before a tribunal presided over by a judge of the Supreme Court.” MARTINBOROUGH. Mr A. B. Martin (chairman) presided at the Martinborough branch meeting. Officers were elected as follow: — Chairman, Mr A. B. Martin; vice-chair-man, Mr R. T. Parsons; delegates to provincial executive, Messrs A. B. Martin, W. B. Martin, R. T. Parsons and A. Linton; delegates to interprovincial conference, Messrs A. B. Martin and R. T. Parsons. A resolution was passed that in the event of a delegate to the provincial executive being unable to attend he be empowered to appoint his own substitute with full voting powers. FEATHERSTON. At the Featherston branch meeting Mr F. E. Jansen (chairman) who presided, gave a report on the nationalisation of the supply of the Dominion, on the lines of a statement by the Power Board’s Conference. He stated that while today one hundred per cent of generation and transmission of electrical supply was in the hands of the Government and' distribution in the hands of the power boards, yet centralisation was a better ideal than nationalisation. In this sense, the economic solution of the power and distribution policy was what was required. This was necessary for production in both primary and secondary industries. Officers were elected as follow: — Chairman, Mr H. J. Hutchings; vicechairman, Mr E. E. O’Neale; delegates to provincial executive, Messrs Hutchings, A. J. Rendle and R. AV. Fuge; delegates to interprovincial conference, Messrs Hutchings and Fuge. The following remit was moved for adoption by the chairman: “That the annual testing for tuberculosis of all dairy herds in the Dominion be made compulsory —all condemned cows to bear a T.B. brand and the destruction of such cows to be optional for the first five years, but thereafter destruction to be compulsory.” In moving the remit Mr Jansen considered. that a maximum condemnation would destroy the average dairy herd, whereas a five-year plan would enable the farmer to build up again. If they were allowed a five-year preparation for a clean herd practical elimination of tuberculosis would be accomplished. No dairy farmer would breed from condemned animals but would replace the herd as occasion permitted. After a lengthy discussion the remit was carried. It was decided to reinstate last year’s remit asking for a fund to compensate for loss of life, human or stock, caused through breaks and faults in electric power lines. Last year's remit asking for a regrading of country schools to allow a maximum of 25 pupils to one teacher was also reinstated. That the first term holiday for country schools be held in mid-June instead of May to enable dairy farmers and their families to participate in the holidays was another remit carried.

GREYTOWN. Mr N. F. Skeet (in the absence of Mr AV. G. K. AViggins) presided at the Greytown branch meeting. There was an excellent attendance. The election of officers resulted:— Chairman, Mr AV. G. K. AViggins; vicechairman, Mr N. F. Skeet; delegates to provincial executive, Messrs AViggins, AV. A. Tate, Gordon Thompson and R. L. Field; delegates to interprovincial conference, Messrs A. J. Denney and R. L. Field. A Featherston remit for compulsory testing for tuberculosis was discussed and opinion was too divided to have a clear indication of opinion. The following remits were carried: “That dairy companies operating petrol bowsers for the benefit of suppliers only be allowed to rebate profits from such sales direct to the consumer only.” ■* “That while appreciating existing research into the depredations of such pests as the white butterfly and diamond back moth the Farmers’ Union urges that the most immediate and extensive research be undertaken in order to check and exterminate such pests.” CARTERTON. There was a good attendance at the Carterton branch meeting, Mr AV. J. Thomas (chairman) presiding. The election of officers resulted:— Chairman, Mr AV. J. Thomas; vicechairman, Mr A. E. Reid; delegates to provincial executive, Messrs Thomas, T. Anderson and N. Peacock; delegates to interprovincial conference, Messrs Thomas and C. Reid. The secretary was instructed to write to Mr P. Bain expressing the members’ sincere wish for his speedy recovery from his serious illness. .The Tinui branch remit, asking that hospital rating be eliminated in framing the national health and superannuation scheme, was heartily supported, and the branch coupled its name with Tinui in the remit. The following remits were carried: “That the unemployment tax be reduced to 6d in £l.” “That the present system of grading bacon pigs be extended to cover porker pigs as a uniform standard for both classes is deemed eminently desirable.” A committee comprising of the chairman (Mr Thomas) and Messrs C. Reid, A. E. Reid and H. Rayner was set up to make preliminary arrangements for a Farmers’ Union ball to be held early in June.