FARMERS’ UNION

Evening Star, Issue 22261, 12 February 1936, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION

IMPROVED ROADS WANTED REBATE OH PETROL SOUGHT Supporting a proposal to liave roads improved before the costly completion of the South Island Main Trunk Railway to Picton, yesterday afternoon s session of the Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union passed the following resolution: — “ That, in view of the tremendous time lag’ in the improvement of the Dominion roads and the urgent necessity of providing roads suitable for fast-moving motor vehicles, the Government be urged to undertake the work of widening, realigning, regrading, and surfacing all main highways as the first scheme to provide work for the unemployed. It is considered that this work should be undertaken in preference to the construction of railway lines which departmental investigations have ported could only be run at a loss.” In moving this motion, Mr R. S. Thompson (Lawrence) said -that the expense involved was not justified. The farming community already held that railway charges were too high, and the completion of an unpayable line would add to railway expenses and increase costs. He put forward the argument that if work for the unemployed was required they could bo engaged on the improvement of roads, a work which was badly needed. The best return for the expenditure of public money was to be had from the roads, and not from the railways. Mr Inder said that the roads would never carry the heavy traffic which was borne cheaply by the railways. The motion was carried. PETROL FOR MILKING MACHINES. The AVaikonaiti branch submitted the following remit:—“ That this branch is of the opinion that the dairyman should be put on the same footing as other bodies in connection with the rebate on petrol used for milking machines.” The branch asked for an increase in the rebate from 6d to 8d to put dairy farming on the sum© level as other industries, and this was approved. PAPER’S POLICY CRITICISED. Waikouaiti also submitted the following remit: —“That as ‘Point Blank’ in the last issue (October) was showing political feeling, this branch- protests against entering into any further contract with that paper.” The remit was amended as follows and carried:—“ That tin’s branch strongly protests against ‘ Point Blank;’ ns in the issues of October and November.” POTATO EMBARGO. The Balelutha branch sent forward the following remit:—“ That the Otago Provincial Council be asked to approach the Chamber of Commerce seeking assistance in getting the Australian embargo on New Zealand potatoes removed; failing removal, to ask for a tariff of 25 per cent, on Australian manufactured goods.” The remit was carried without comment. VETERINARY Tlie Mnniototo branch forwarded a remit to the effect that the University, , Council be asked to provide a chair (if veterinary surgery at the Otago University to enable students to obtain the necessary qualifications in this country. Tlie remit was defeated, as it was considered that satisfactory arrangements could be made with the school in Victoria. PRESS CORRESPONDENCE • DEPLORED. “ That this branch has every confidence in the Farmers’ Union, and expresses regret that some members liave seen fit to express their views in the Press when they have a chance of doing so at every annual provincial conference.” This remit was put forward bv the Milton branch, and was received without any decision being arrived at. “ HELP RETURNED SOLDIERS.” The Lawrence branch sent a remit as follows: —“ That this branch supports any legislation that the Government may lay down which would be of lielp to .returned men.” The remit was carried, and it was decided that the union should support the spirit, expressed in the remit. ’ LIME BAG CHARGES. On behalf of the Lawrence branch Mr Thompson moved—“ That representation bcyinade to the Provincial Council regarding the charge made by lime companies lor tlie use of lime hags and asking that the charge be reduced from 2d to Id.” It was decided to approve the remit and to make representations to the lime companies as suggested.