FARMERS’ UNION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 October 1939, Page 7

FARMERS’ UNION

WAIRARAPA PROVINCIAL | EXECUTIVE ZONING CRITICISED. OVERLAPPING STILL OCCURRING. A meeting of the Wairarapa Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held at Masterton yesterday. Mr Hugh Morrison presided over an excellent attendance. With reference to the zoning of dairy factories. Mr H. J. Hutchings stated that in his area overlapping was still taking place. Mr Hutchings further staled that men on public works near his farm worked five hours a day. while he was working 11. If he could get reasonable labour it would be all right, but could not pay 18s a day. Mr A. Linton pointed out that the dairy industry was very different to the meat and wool industry under the commandeer price. He explained the position as regards zoning of dairy factories and stated that transport costs in some cases meant a saving to the farmer of 3-8 d per lb of butterfat. He realised the difficulty of zoning in the district which at his request was the last to be done. Mr Linton pointed out that the present arrangements had been made from the agreement drawn up by the directors of the various factories and informed the meeting that if anything was not satisfactory they could have it re-opened by the Dairy Commission. Continuing, Mr Linton said the bobby calf industry had been taken over by the marketing department and he pointed out that the salvation of the dairy industry would be to stock together to support their co-operated concerns. Mr H. J. Bremner was of the opinion that all sections of the primary producers should be treated similarly under the commandeer, and he. moved, “that this meeting makes strong protest that before anything was done by the Government in connection with the marketing of the farmers produce that farmers’ organisations should have been consulted.” The motion was seconded by Mr W. J. Thomas and carried. A letter was received from the head office with reference to the setting up of local committees to look after the interests of farmers who volunteer for service in the military forces. Mr Morrison said that more country men were being sent into camp than from the towns. He said that the dairy farmer was in a worse state for getting labour than was the sheep farmer. Mr Bremner agreed that little could be done at the present stage, and moved that it be a recommendation from the executive to the Government “that a national register of the man-power of the Dominion be instituted immediately with a View to a classification of what labour is available for the essential industries. The motion was carried. Mr Morrison moved and Mr Bremner seconded “that as soon as the executive receive notice of the settingup of the organisation under the National Emergency Regulations that the local branches be notified and asked to co-operate with other organisations accordingly.” The motion was carried. Advice was received from the Dominion President Mr W. W, Mulholland, that he hoped to visit the Wairarapa some time in October. The matter of his visit was left in the hands of Mr Morrison to arrange.