FARMERS’ UNION.

Grey River Argus, 26 July 1922, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. VENTILATION (>!■’ GRIEVANCES. WELLINGTON. .Inly 25. Forty-six delegates representing branches in all p: its of New Zealand, are attending the annual conference of Hie New Zealand Farmers’ Union which commenced here to-day, the president. W. J. Polson, occupying the The president ial address was very I comprehensive, ami it stated: “I say 1 with confidence that no class in any community ever bore such severe trials with more exemplary fortitude than the farmers of New Zealand, who have not flinched, and to-day, feeling that ihe worst is probably over, they are looking forward with calm courage and renewed confidence to the future in certain conviction that their industry is sound, and that this Dominion must sooner or later come into its own.” A constructive work was needed. Mr J. G. Anderson (Sounds) in moving a vote of thanks to the presi-! dent for the address, said that Air j Polson had been a live wire and had done most valuable service in the ie

terests of the farmers of the Dominion. The vote was carried by acclamaA Southland remit that the conference disapprove of the way the present method of military instruction was carried out was referred to the •xecutive for consideration. Air Arnott (Southland) said that the country was not getting value for the money spent. The conference endorsed a remit that the large expenditure ent: iled upon the country under the various systems of pensions, other than military, demanded serious considerr tion. Mr Stace (Marlborough) moved that the Government take over all the main highways and roads in the Dominion and maintain them, but an amendment that the Government be urged to push on with the Alain Highways Pill Ibis session was carried. At the Farmers’ Conference the following remits were passed:— Mr (L I’. Johnson of Southland mov-| ed: “That in the opinion of the Conference, the time is ripe fur some improved system in making and maintaining roads : ml that county councils be urged to take the matter into serious I consideration. He said he did not wish to press too hard on county authorities but they and road boards should carry out the maintenance of roads better than the Government. Air P. Arnott (Southland) moved: —“Thrt the Government be urged to provide cheaper methods of telephone construction, thus enabling many farmers to link up telephone bureau.” The move! - urged that telephones should be made as cheap as possible to encourage people to go into the backblocks. From Pelorous Branch:—“That this Conference advocates country post mid telephone offices being furnished daily with weather report.’’ The remit stated this could be posted up in the office in the same way as the official I war bulletins were treated, and would be of the greatest practical assist;:nee to farmers in getting in fheir crops and other agricultural and pastoral pur suits. Mr R. D. Du-n field moved: “That, in view of the insufficient facilities in New Zealand for trr ining students in agriculture, the Government be request ed to establish an agricultural training college. A discussion showed that such provision was very much needed for the training of farmers’ sons. Mr J. Clark (Otago) moved: “Thai the present methods of prising money for hospital and charitable aid pur- !

poses is an inevitable tax on the ratepayers, and that the Government be requested to pass legislation by which money required for this purpose will be collected on a more equitable basis. “That the law be altered so that where a special rating area or drainage or other distrist is seeking to be proclaimed, or when any public body proposes to embrace new territory or.rlter in any way its rating area, it must have such proposals printed and posted up in post offices in the affected areas er sent by registered letter to ratepay ers concerned,” was :n Auckland remit which was carried. Air (’. K. Wilson (Auckland), “that the Conference urges the Government to immediately give effect to the recommendations of the Hospitals’ Commission of 1921, which provides for an adjustment of subsidies paid to hospital boards throughout the Dominion as many districts, especially those having a large Maori population, require urgent relief. |

RAILWAY CO NT ROT.. Mr A. Ross (Auckland) moved: —“That this Conference considers it desirable Hint railways be removed from political control, and that, with this eifd in view the construction and control be placed in the hands of an expert board. Considerable discussion ensued. Air G. J. Johnston (Southland) admitted the railways should be run differently. Lorries were competing alongside the railways for hundreds of miles cutting up the loads. He moved as an 1 amendment: “That this Conference 1 urge upon the Government the neecs- I sity for the more competent manage- j ment of our railways and thus bring [ about economy, and more efficient service to the public.” Air J. Clark (Otago) seconded the amendment by Mr Johnston; which was adopted by a large majority. The following remits were’ also c: rried: — From Hawke's Bay: “That Railway freights are too high; and the Minister be urged to give consideration to

the matter, with a view to bringing about a reduction.” From Wairarapa: “That the attention of the railway department be drawn to a penalty imposed on inland freezing works by high railway freight on frozen meat compared to live stock and asks a speedy adjustment of the charges.