“THORNY QUESTION”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 99, 21 January 1936, Page 5

“THORNY QUESTION”

Railways Board and Boundary Fences Masterton, January 20. A circular was received at the bimonthly meeting of the Wairarapa provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to-day, advising that the Government Railways Board had decided to undertake responsibility for the maintenance - of railway boundary fences. It was stated that the board was influenced by the fact that an improvement had taken place in the finances of the department, and also by the desire to maintain the safety factor at the highest possible level. The board desired also to remove misunderstandings and irritation existing at present and so retain the goodwill of the farming community, which the board appreciated and valued.

“The Hon. F. Waite, who has acted as the agent of the executive in the representations to the board.” added the circular, “is to be congratulated on bringing the negotiations to a successful conclusion, and settling a thorny question to the advantage of the union and farmers generally.” “That Is very satisfactory,” said the president, Mr. Hugh Morrison. “We took this matter up very strongly and other provinces did also. It is very satisfactory to us to know that the Railways Board has decided to take over this responsibility.” Later in the meeting, Mr. W. J. Thomas said that the result of these negotiations were largely due to the greater and improved organisation of the union. “We agitated in this direction,” he added, “and in less than six months we have been abie to come to a very satisfactory agreement.”