FARMERS' UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 205, 28 August 1909, Page 7

FARMERS' UNION.

The following additional business -was dealt with by the executive of the New Zealand Farmers' TJnion yesterday afternoon:— A Kawhia Protest.—lt was decided to forward to the Minister for Public Works a letter from the Kawhia branch, protesting against the Government's action in stopping all road work and discharging all workmen, just as they had their tents pitched. The letter stated that settlers would be still forced to pack their wool as they had done during the past nine years, and all for the want of the widening of the last two miles of the track. Waikato Stock Track. — The report for warded to tlie Auckland Chamber of Commerce regarding the stock track from Poverty Bay to Waikato having been opened, but had not been used, was read, also a further communication by Mr D. W. McMillan stating that the whole of the trackhad been felled and logged, and was opened on the 20th October last. So far as its usefulness as a stock route was concerned, It was extremely rough, with dangerous creek crossings. The chairman said that was not the track that had been asked for. Mr Duxfield said it would appear that the Government had wasted money constructing a useless track. Mr Boddle said the Cook County Council had also spent money on that track, and would hardly hare done bo if it was of no use. The chairman said the eight miles made by the Cook County Council was useless as it gave access to certain grazing runs. The report was re fen-ed to the various bodies that had asked to have the track made. Mr Bowler said this case showed the danger of the executive making representations to the Government on matters they personally knew little about, but were recommended by local branches. Mr Garland said this was not the track the executive asked for. The track should have gone from the edge of Lake Waikareruoana right through to Galashould be held in the Waikato on December 16. Mr Duxfield said there was a crying need for a stock track, but it was the duty of the Government to select the proper route. Taxing Farmers.—The following resolution was. forwarded by the Taranaki Executive:—"That this executive respectfully requests th e Members of Parliament to resis-» further unfair taxation on the already overtaxe.l farming community, and that each prov! iclal executive In the Dominion be invited to co-operate with them. The chairman said It had been decided that the Dominion Conference should ask to be heard at the bar of the House on the question of taxation and the opening up of Maori lands. Mr Dye said a movement was also being made to put the whole of the charitable aid charges on the land, by gradually doing away with the subsidy at present I The State's Liability for Damage.—A j resolution was passed urging that the I Crown Lands Act be amended during the coming session in order to place the State trading enterprises on an equal footing with private traders in Tespect to liability i for any acts of damage resulting from such operations. It svas decided that a ropy ,of the resolution toe forwarded to the Hon j Dr. Findlay, Minister for Justice.