FARMERS PROTEST

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3177, 2 October 1942, Page 5

FARMERS PROTEST

TRANSPORT REGULATIONS NO VOTE ON COMMITTEES merely in advisory capacity Opposition to the recent transport regulations was expressed at Thursday’s meeting of the Thames Primary Production Council when it was pointed out that farmer representatives on the Goods Transport Control Committees had no vote. Mr D. Courtney said that he thought that farmers’ representatives on the Goods Transport Control committees should have a vote and not be merely on the committee in an advisory capacity. Discussion arose when a letter from the Hon. J. G. Barclay, Minister of Primary 'Production for War Purposes, and read advising that Mr 0. W. 'Parfitt of the Hauraki Plains had been nominated to act on the Transport Advisory Committee at Thames Valley. Members agreed that Mr Parfitt was a very suitable person for the position but the fact that Mr Parfitt had no vote on the committee made the position farcical. Mr Courtney quoted the regulations as under: — “Sectiton 3. (1)' For each district there shall be a Goods Transport Control Committee. (2) The members of each committee shall be appointed by the Minister and shall hold office during his pleasure. (3) For the assistance of each committee in making determinations as to the manner of transporting stock, the Minister shall appoint three extra members, who shall hold office during the pleasure of the Minister and. who shall comprise:—

(a) One person appointed as a representative of the farmers in the district,

(b) One person appointed as a representative of the persons carrying on business as stock and station agents in the district, and (c) One person appointed as a representative of the persons engaged in the export of meat in the district.

(4) The extra members appointed under subclause (3) of this regulation shall not exercise any authority as members of the committee except in respect of matters relating to the manner in which stock is to be transported.

It was agreed to make no appointment until such representatives were given a vote on the committee.

The chairman, Mr S. E. Hall, said that members of the Farmers’ Union had been asked to accept the position but they had refused because they had no vote on the committee.