FARMERS’ UNION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 47, Issue 2664, 1 September 1937, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION

THAMES SUB-PROVINCE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE DELEGATES MEET AT PAEROA. The quarterly conference of the Northern Thames sub-provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held at Paeroa yesterday. The president, Mr A. H. Blackmore (Waihi), presided. In attendance were Mr H. 0. Mellsop, Auckland provincial president, and Mr A. E. Robinson, provincial secretary. Delegates present were: Messrs W. Mclnnes (Kerepeehi), T. Considine, C. J. Townshend, A. Hayes (Netherton), H. Harden, S. Hall (Matatoki), A. Constantine, W. Jones, R. Burke, C. W. Schultz (Ngatea), H. H. Sutton, G. B. Haszard, N. C. Christiansen (Waihi), N. Hedges, J. S. McClune (Waitakaruru), F. Thorpe (Paeroa) and F. Westlake (Kaihere). Mrs A. Drinkwater (Waitawheta) and Mrs J. Fisher (Netherton) represented the Women’s Division.

In reply to the Kaihere branch the Department of Industries and Commerce advised in connection with varying prices for timber that handling charges from different mills naturally differed, and also there was difficulty in comparing various grades. Railway Concessions. The general manager of railways • replied to representations made by the union for reducing the concession ticket period from one month to a fortnight, and for introducing cheaper travel facilities for holiday-makers, that in regard to the introduction of concessional tickets on the lines advocated, it was necessary to bear in mind that the department already had an extensive passenger traffic. The provision of the proposed cheap tickets which would, to a large extent, displace the standard fare tickets, would tend to depress the passenger revenue below the present level, notwithstanding that some increase in travel might occur. It was primarily in consideration of this position that the proposed introduction of mileage tickets which was fully investigated some years ago, was not proceeded with. Since that time the standard of the ordinary fares had been lowered. That and other inducements set out had meant that liberal travel facilities had been given to all sections of the community. A Transport Licence. Mr C. H. M. Simpson of Kuaotunu forwarded an appeal for support of an application for R. R. Smith to run a transport service on the WhitiangaKuaotunu route. It was agreed to secure further particulars. i In reply to statements made by members of the union that there appeared to be a seasonal rise in the price of sugar immediately preceding the jam-making and fruit-preserving period, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr D. G. Sullivan, advised that a full investigation was being made by the department. The wholesale price and the raw price showed a remarkable correspondence and the Minister had been informed that it was the policy of the refining company to vary the wholesale price in accordance with the raw price. Seasonal Coincidence. There appeared so far to be no indication that any increase was made in the season mentioned, said the j Minister, but it might be that that | season coincided with the seasonal increase in the price of raw sugar. A further letter from the secretary stated that it was thought that as the company supplied itself with rawl sugar the price of the latter might be i accommodated to the wholesale price, j The executive also was not satisfied i that there was no seasonal rise in 1 price. No reply had yet been received to the last letter. The Director of Forestry advised that the supply of trees for plantingin noxious weed areas was not part i of the Government’s policy. Apart! from that policy there was a further ? insuperable obstacle that every tree in ; the State nurseries was required for i afforestation activities.