FARMERS’ CONFERENCE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 18 May 1928, Page 3

FARMERS’ CONFERENCE

MANY MATTERS DISCUSSED.

CONSIDERATION OF REMITS.

SOUTH TARANAKI DELEGATES. The annual conference of delegates to the South Taranaki Provincial Executive of the New, Zealand Farmers’ Union was continued yesterday afternoon, when many matters ot interest to the farmers were discussed These included motor legislation and licenses, dairy stock diseases, daylight saving, rural advances, and agricultural hanks, immigration and executive matters.

HOSPITAL RATING. < ‘That the hospital rating system he amended so as to rectify the present unjust incidence of tax borne by the rural taxpayer as compared wifcli the borough taxpayers.” . This was moved by Mr. Cocker, who o-ave details of the injustice done to comity dwellers in the matter, quoting the figures compiled by the Eltham and Taranaki County Councils, on the same lines as reported for liis Eltham meeting last Monday. He added that there was no doubt the county dweller was paving far too much. Mr. Ricketts seconded, stating that he was convinced 1 of the injustice clone to county ratepayers. There was no opposition, and the remit was carried unanimously.

ADMINISTRATION MATTERS. “That county boundaries should be altered to follow the survey block lines and not run along roads, as at present. ’ ’ This was moved by Mr. E. J. Booth, wlio' said it was well known the trouble' to those who lived on county boundary roads. Several members referred to the expense necessary to make tlie change, although they generally approved of the principle, while Mr. 0. Robertson mentioned also the difficulty of adjusting loans. On a show of bands the motion was declared lost by one vote.

IMMIGRATION. “That in the selection of prospective emigrants the Government be requested to exercise greater supervision as to the suitability of applicants.” Mr. E. G. Betts, in moving tlie remit, said that in many cases the wrong type of immigrants were brought out. He instanced cases in his own knowledge. Mr. Haseltine said experience proved that there were many instances of “a square peg in a round hole.” They wanted men who were going to be producers. He considered more spuervision was needed at Home. Mr. Hodge said that while in some cases immigrants were no good to the country, he knew of some who had proved excellent men. They needed undoubtedly more care to see that the immigrants were men suited to go farming. There was no opposition, andi the remit was carried.

LEGISLATION BY ORDER-IN-COUNCIL. “That this conference emphatically protests against the continued practice of putting through important and farreaching legislation by Order-in-Coun-( cil, which practice does not give op- j port-unity for the matter to receive the con.sidera.tion of the members of the House of Representatives. Mr. E. J. Betts moved the remit, stating that it was a most important question and needed strong endorsement. Mr. J. Coocker seconded, and referred to the motor omnibus regulations amongst other things. But the Prime Minister had on one occasion said he could not go through all the proposed regulations, and referred such matters to the officials/ of the departments. “We are ruled bv these officers,” said Mr. Cocker. '“There are 02,000 public servants, and all tlie people must take' a. share' of the responsibility of these appointments.” He considered the remit to be a step in t'he right direction. The remit was carried without opposition. RURAL SECURITY. “That in order to make rural advances more attractive to investors, this conference suggests; tlialt the Government exempt from income tax any income derived from money loaned oii rural security at. a rate, not exceeding 5.j per cent.” Air H. E. Batten said this waisi ah annual remit, hut all must favour it if cheap money were to be secured for fanners. It was seconded by Mr Haseltine and supported by Mr H. Weills and Mr Hodge, both of whom said that if they could 1 get the rate down to 5J ,per cent it would be a move of value to the farmem The remit wa,s carried.

UNION FINANCE. ‘‘This conference considers that the interests of the union couicl be bettor served bv providing farther funds foilincreasing capitation to branches and for organising in provincial districts, instead of increasing accumulations at headquarters. To this end it is suggested that either the Dominion levy be considerably reduced or that at leaMfc 50 per cent of the surplus of each year’s working at headquarters 'be rebated to provincial executives.” Mr Hodge said this had been discussed before, and was a move in the right direction. The provincial secretary said the provincial executive wans always short of funds and had to borrow from headquarters. The levy made by headquarters should be reduced and a greater amount allowed to branches, because if organising were to be done effectively so as to keep the personal touch with members, funds were required. The Dominion executive had undoubtedly amassed too much, Mr Marx approved of the remit, saying that branches with a; small membership had a hard time' and were not- able to do all they would like to give information to their members. He was convinced they could do bettor work if they had more money. Mr Hodge said that with funds accumulating, they might get a; sympathetic hearing, and they might be able' to> increase the branch icapitlatjion. |T)hey would thus have more to do work for the farmer. If they kept on hammering away, they would eventually get what they desired. The. motion wais carried unanimously. HIGH VOLTAGE WIRES. ‘‘That this conference urges upon the Government the necessity for making it compulsory for all poker boards to earth wire fenoes where crossed by high voltage electric wires.” Mr A. J. Haseltine, in moving its adoption, said a fatality had lately been reported pear Eltham, and it srpuld

need to be compulsory for power boards bo see that wires werta properly earthed. This step should bo forced on tlie authorities. Ala: H. Wells, seconding, endorsed the views of the mover, and gave instances of the danger which had come under his own notice. Air Jennings considered that everyone should earth wires where, necessary on his owii farm. The contention of Air Cocker was that the boards created the danger an<l should 1 make it safe for farmers, because none of them knew bow to <lo the work. The remit was carried without opposition. In ctbncludiing the conference;, Air Hodlge, the retiring president, isaid that he would like to acknowledge his indebtedness to members of the executive for the loyal and unwavering support given to him throughout the time h« had held office. He wished even greater success to his successor, and asked all to give consistent support. Messrs AY, Ev Garter and J. Cocker were appointed delegates to the Dominion Conference, and 1 Air S. R. Veitch was appointed auditor, ajt the same fee as before. The capitation allocation was left in the hands of tlw Provincial Executive. Votes of thanks to the outgoing officers. to the provincial secretary’ (Air E. K. Cameron), the Press and the chairman concluded a- useful day’s work.