FARMERS' INTERESTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 278, 24 November 1938, Page 24

FARMERS' INTERESTS.

NORTHERN THAMES AREAS. i DRAIXAt. K PROBLEMS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) THAMES, Wedne9<iay. Drainage problems as they urgently a fleeted Thames Valley and Hauraki Plains at the present time were one of the chief topics for discussion at the Northern Thames sub-provincial executive of the Farmers' Union meeting iu Thames yesterday. The opinion was expressed that the time for piece-work by individual local bodies had passed, and if any solution was to be arrived at a united approach would have to be made to the Government. Reference was made to the silting of rivers, draining through the areas affected and also to the periodical flooding of farm lands and t lie resultant handicaps to farmers. At a previous meeting tlie executive asked the Government to *et up a Royal Commission to impure into the whole question of drainage, but at yesterday's meeting it was stated that no reply had ijeen received. It wan decided that a mass meeting of all interested local Indies and organisations iu the valley and plains, and also thoi-e in the upper watersheds, be called with a view to settling on a policy to present to the Government. Members of Parliament for Thames, Waikato, Tauranjra and Hauraki wil lbe invited to attend the meeting. The effect of shipping and other strikes [on farmers was roundly-criticised, and it was decided,to communicate with all members of Parliament in the executive's area asking that they support a suggestion that a Royal Commission be set up to go into the conditions obtaining on the waterfront. It \va« ako decided that the heads of the Federation of Labour should be written to asking that an assurance bo given that there should be no hold-up in the matter of live stock. In furtherance of the question, it was decided that the Government be asked to investigate all strikes, and that the blame for same be laid cither |>artially or wholely 011 some party or parties, and that these parties be held responsible for possible lose.