SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20412, 5 December 1931, Page 3

SOUTH CANTERBURY.

TIMARU. ~~p FARMERS' UNION. Ar A. Ward presided over the monthly meeting of the Timaru-St. Andrews branch of the Farmers' Union yesteji day afternoon. It was decided to forward a letter to Mr John Bitchener, president of the South . Canterbury Farmers' Union, congratulating him on his return Mo Parliament. Mr James Peterson was appointed a representative q£ Cave district on the executive. The New Zealand Farmers' Union' forwarded the following suggestions as being the most urgent for helping the farming community:—(a) An immediate adjustment of interest ; i'ates was essential; .(b) the total of farmers' lands from general rates levied for maintenance purposes; (c) that the Government should suspend t the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act during the present economic crisis and amend it so as, tp provide for compulsory conciliation and optional arbitration; (d) that in order to combine a balanced Budget with the general reduction of taxation which was essenital to the recovery of prosperity, further economies were necessary in public and local expenditure; (e) that in order to reduce costs of production and living, a drastic downward revision of Gustoms tariffs was urgently needed and should be made as soon &s the bud-., getary position would permit. Mr W. J. Black said that the trend of general opinion seemed to be that there would not be--a reduction-, of interest rates. <

The remit was approved. ' The chairman said that it appeared that all that waa aimed at by the Coalition Government was the increasing of the elasticity of the awards. At present it would hardly be in . order to approve the remit on the question. The remit was deleted arid it was decided to agree to .the amendment of the Arbitration Court so that awards could be dealt with on their merits. Jille remit- touching on, the Customs tariff was held over, and the remaining remits were approved. Trained Nurses. The annual meeting of the South Canterbury branch of the Trained Nurses' Association was presided over by Miss F. Wade. The annual report showed that the membership was now 52, an increase of 12 over last year's figures. The balancesheet showed "a credit of £l6. Congratulations were extended to nurses who had passed the State examination during the year. The president ,'Miss Lindsay) had left Timaru to enter for maternity training in Dunedin. Thanks were due to all who had helped the Association in any way during the year. An enjoyable social evening, arranged by the hospital staff concluded the evening. Cycling Derby. Sixteen riders competed ijfr thp Timaru Cycling and Athletic iClub's first Derby race of the season on Thursday evening, over s distance of 12 .miles, from Maori Kill to Levels and back. , ... In a stirring finish R. Baker (irain) gamed first 'place by a length, from G. Metcalfe, who put in a good spurt to beat W. Hopkinson by inches. The following were the placings:— R. Baker (3mih), 32miri 36 4-ssec ■ • J G. Metcalfe (smin). 32min 22sec • ■■... 3 W.l Hopkinson (Jmin), 32min 22 l-sseec 3 Fastest time wag gained by G. Metcalfe, and second fastest by W. Hopkinson. The following gained points for the miniature cup presented by Mr J. D. Fraser: K. Baker 4, G. Metcalfe *, YT. Hopkinson 2.