FARMERS’ UNION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 April 1939, Page 7

FARMERS’ UNION

GLADSTONE BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING AGE MARKINGS FOR SHEEP. UNIVERSAL GRADING OF WOOL URGED. ; I (“Times-Age” Special.) A proposal to invite Mr W. W. Mulholland, Dominion President of the Farmers’ Union, to attend the Interprovincial Conference of the union to be held in Masterton on May 25 and 26 was favoured by the Gladstone branch at its annual meeting on Wednesday night. Mr Alex Ross, chairman, presided. In his annual report, Mr stated that the sheep farmers’ position showed a definitely black outlook, as costs were still rising and prices were not nearly sufficient to meet the increase. The dairy farmer was apparently satisfied with the guaranteed price and the sheep farmer would be called upon to decide whether he would adopt the same principle. In regard to wool, M Ross considered that farming industry should co-operate as one big seller, as under existing conditions farmers were left entirely in the buyers’ hands. The question of hospital rating was becoming a burning one within the union and the union was still hammering for relief from hospital and general rating. On being re-elected chairman, Mr Ross said he would have much preferred to see a change, as he had occupied the position for about 20 years. •

Other officers were elected as follow: —Vice-chairman, Mr S. Dalgleish; members of provincial executive, Messrs A. Ross, J. J. Mitchell and D. McGregor; delegates to interprovincial conference, Messrs Ross, Mitchell and R. Booth. 4

In discussing a remit from the Alfredton branch requesting a universal age mark for sheep. Mr Dalgleish was definitely opposed to this system, as -he considered soundness of mouth and teeth were infinitely more valuable and necessary than a proof of age without the same soundness.

The following remits were approvea for submission to the interprovincial conference: —

That universal grading of wool be instituted under a system of. certification of specified standards similar to that applying to beef and mutton. That it be compulsory for all rams offered for sale to be certified as dipped in a suitable poisonous dip prior to January 1, to obviate the necessity ol dipping after purchase. FEATHERSTON BRANCH. RETICULATION OF RURAL ■ AREAS. The annual meeting of the Featherston branch of the Farmers’ Union was held last night, Mr H. J. Hutchings, chairman, presiding. Officers were elected as follow: — Chairman, Mr H. J. Hutchings; vicechairman, Mr E. E. O’Neale; members of provincial executive, Messrs Hutchings, A. J. Rendle and R. W. Fuge; delegates to interprovincial conference, Messrs Hutchings, Rendle and R. E. Crawford. A resolution was passed for consideration by the provincial executive, asking that the Wairarapa Power Board be urged to grant greater facilities for the reticulation of outlying rural areas. Two remits submitted by the secretary, Mr James Watson, from the Manawatu provincial district, were favoured by the branch. The first asked that the payment of butterfat for the coming season be at least the figures recommended last year by the Advisory Committee, plus any costs accruing, and the second asking that the Government take production at 2401bs per cow, as recommended by the Advisory Committee, as the base for the guaranteed price for the 193940 season. It was decided to reinstate two of last year’s remits, one asking for a fund to provide compensation for the loss of life, human or stock, through breaks or faults in electric power lines, and the second, asking that the first-term holidays be in June, instead of May as at present.