FARMERS’ UNION

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 June 1928, Page 11

FARMERS’ UNION

REMITS APPROVED (Per Press Association.) FEILDING, May 31. The Inter-Provincial Farmers’ Conference concluded to-day. The following remits were carried: —

That the Government be asked to appoint the Rabbit Board Inspectors to act as Noxious Weed Inspectors, and pay a share of their salaries. That the Daylight Saving Bill be thrown out. That the Banks be asked to reduce their overdraft interest rates. That the subsidies to local bodies be on all the general rates collected. The the Government pay ratesi on all Crown lands which had reverted back after being occupied. That direct taxation should be on the individual, and not on Companies. That the Government should materially reduce the income tax on mortgage interest so as to make this form of investment more attractive. That every motorist should have a third party risk. That a system of rural bookkeeping be included in the school syllabus. That in the Harbour Board Elections, the anomaly be rectified to enable rural voters to have the same franchise as town voters. That the Government assure a regular and sufficient supply of phosphates. That in view 0 of the discrepancy in the'price of phosphates in England and in New Zealand, the Farmers’ Union Dominion Executive inquire into the matter. The next Conference will be at Masterton, with Mr. K. W. Dalrymple as Chairman. \ HOSPITAL LEVIES. WELLINGTON, May 31. At the conference to-day of the Royal Agricultural Society, a member drew attention to the method of assessing contributions to hospital and charitable aid boards. This was done on a capital value basis. He pointed out that the country population was 41 pei’ cent, of the total population of New Zealand. They contributed 53 per. cent in the assessment, whereas the towns, with their population of 58 per cent, of the total, only cor.tributed 41 per cent. It was thought desirable to have this altered to a basis of half on the population, and half on the capital value. Under this system the counties would contribute 48.6 per cent., and the towns 51.4 per cent, which was a much fairer proportion. COCKSFOOT GRASS. WELLINGTON, May 31. Dr C. J. Reakes, Director-General of Agriculture, stated to-day, at the annual Conference of the Royal Agricultural Society, that three types of cocksfoot grass are being tested at Aberstwyth, in Wales —native British cocksfoot, New Zealand cocksfoot, and Continental cocksfoot. The native British was the best, but the New Zealand cocksfoot Was but very little behind, and the Continental satisfactory. Dr Reakes said he thought that in a few years New Zealand cocksfoot would be as good as British. ROYAL SHOW. WELLINGTON, May 31. In view of further discussion at the Royal Agricultural Society Conference, it was decided to-day to reconsider the decision to hold’ the Royal Autumn Show in January. WHEAT POOL FORMED ASHBURTON, May 31. A very large conference of the wheat growers of Canterbury and North Otago to-day received the report of the Committee appointed last December to consider the question of the formation of a wheat pool. Messrs Buddo, Burnett and Bitchener, M’s.P. were present. After a long discussion, the Wheat Committee were directed to form a Company, to be known as the New Zealand Wheat Growers’ Association Ltd., with a subscribed capital of £50,000 in pound shares. On a ballot, 77 delegates voted for the scheme, and only one against. A provisional Directorate of eight was elected. There were’4B4 shares applied for in the room.