FARMERS’ UNION AFFAIRS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 5 November 1926, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION AFFAIRS.

SOUTH TARANAKI EXECUTIVE. MONTHLY MEETING. The South Taranaki provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union met at Havvera yesterday. There were present: Messrs H. Hodge (president). J. Bakers, E. W. Johns, F. Aroa, \V. Lyndon, D. M. Cameron, E. J. Betts,” A. D. Johnson, H. Thrush, F. Will an, M. W. Barker, L. A. Jennings. VV. T. Seed, W. E. Carter, A. J. Haselti ne and E. K. Cameron (secretary). “The farmers are not in favour of the daylight saving measure,” said the president in referring to a report which had been circulated in which, he stated, it had been suggested that the Farmers’ Union was giving support to the Bill. He could not account for the origin of the report, but he wished to make it clear that the Dominion conference had adopted a remit opposing the passage of the [Bill.

Referring to the representations made to the Government for amended legislation to deal with the noxious weeds menace, the chairman said that, although the amendments had not been passed by Parliament during (the last session, an assurance had been given that the measure would again be brought forward. Referring to the same subject, Mr Carter said that the Minister of Lands, in an interview with members of the Elf ham County Council last week, had stated that the measure would be brought before the house next session. Mr Carter urged that the union should keep the matter in mind. On his motion a resolution was adopted expressing regret that the amending Bill was not passed by Parliament, and requesting the Taranaki members to support the measure next session; further, that a letter be written to the department drawing attention to the serious condition of noxious weeds in Taranaki. RURAL DELIVERIES. “Instances have come under notice where there has been a lack of unanimity among settlers —one section favouring the retention of the country post office and the other favouring the establishment of a rural delivery,” stated a circular received from the Dominion executive, in which the opinion was given that if the Post and Telegraph Department agrees to the establishment of a rural delivery the settlers should not hesitate to comply with the department’s suggestion that the small post offices should be closed. It was pointed out that the closing of a post office did not involve the closing of a telegraph office. The department was anxious to give a service to every settler in the country, and the cooperation of the settlers was required.

The convenience of the rural delivery system was pointed out by Mr Aroa, who expressed appreciation of the facilities afforded by the recently inaugurated delivery in the Auroa district. where it was now possible to receive replies to correspondence within 24 hours, whereas without the delivery double that period would often be required.

A round table discussion followed, during which members agreed that the system offered considerable advantages in back country areas, but the opinion was also given that among settlers closer to the closely populated centres the expense' entailed was not warranted.

The chairman thought that the matter was one for individual districts, and it was not incumbent on the union to take a definite stand in the matter. Where deliveries were required by settlers it was open to them to petition the Post-' and Telegraph Department direct.

Mr Carter stated that during a considerable number of years every satisfaction had been afforded with the rural delivery on the Hunter "Rond, near Eltham, though Mr iSeed, on the same delivery, said that mails had sometimes miscarried. After further discussion, a motion, proposed by Mr Aron, was adopted favouring the rural delivery system as a means of providing regular delivery of mails to outlying districts. RESIGNATION ANNOUNCED. An announcement of his intention to resign from the secretaryship of the •Boys ’ and 'Girls ’ Clubs was made by the executive secretary, Mr E. K-, Cameron. He expressed regret that, owing to pressure of other business, he was unable ,to devote the necessary attention to the large volume of business entailed in the secretaryship of the Bovs’ and Girls’ Clubs.

Mr Dakers expressed the opinion that the clubs comprised the principal activities of the union, and he hoped that the secretary would be able to reconsider his opinion. The president paid tribute to the manner in which Mr Cameron had discharged the duties. He said further that, as a matter of precedent, the dual secretaryship had been undertaken, although there were seperate appointments. Tic advanced the opinion that if the work in connection with the clubs was becoming too extensive a division "of the two secretaryships would be advisable.

Tn reply to an inquiry concerning the competitions, the secretary said it was his intention to attend to the clubs’ secretarial work, if required, until December.

The importance of the work carried out by the clubs was stressed by several members, but it was suggested that they should be a district organisation apart from the Earmers’ Union, and that the latter should undertake do give stipulated financial assistance. No action was taken, the subject being deferred for further discussion at the ensuing meeting. ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEES. The wide range of correspondence received was referred to by the secretary, who suggested that, to obviate unnecessary detailed consideration at the monthly meetings, committees should be appointed to deal with various classes of business. On the receipt of correspondence he could forward the particular communication to the con‘venors of the respective committees, which could report to the monthly meetings.

The proposal was supported by the president, who pointed out that a similar means of dealing with business was adopted by the Dominion executive. Ho moved that sub-committees of two members be appointed. Mr Aroa seconded and the motion was carried. Sub-committees were appointed as follow: — Railways—Messrs F. Aroa and W. J. Lyndon. Fertilisers—Messrs E. ,T. Betts and I). M. Cameron. Noxious Weeds—Messrs W. E. -Carter and \V. T. Seed. Dairying—Messrs F. Willan and A. D. Johnson. General Agriculture Messrs J. Dakers and 11. R. Wood. Wool —Messrs L. A. Jennings and W. McfL ’Dowie.