THE BAG QUESTION.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1137, 17 January 1903, Page 4

THE BAG QUESTION.

CANTERBURY OPINIONS. At a meeting of the committee of the Canterbury A.,and P. Association on Wednesday, a letter was read from the f lailway Department with reference to the size of grain sacks, it having been urged t! oat the present 2401b sack caused injury to tlae men engaged in handling them. The Minister requested the Association to take the n latter into consideration, and furnish him wuth its views thereon. When the Bize of. tt e sack had been decided on a by-law would be gazetted regulating it, and at least two lve months 1 notice would be given of £he i (Iteration to enable present stocks of sacks to be used up. Speaking on the letter from t he Government with reference to the size of grain sacks, Mr Peryman pointed out that* number of Farmers' Onions had expressed th eir opinion in favor of keeping the sack at the size it now was.

In reply to Sir John Hall, Mr Jaa neson said that the sacks in Victoria were si sorter than in New Zealand.

Mr.Maodonald thought they wot ild have to keep to the present saok for light stuff, such as chaff, and make the sacks lor fthe heavier grain smaller.

Mr Jameson said the opinion ol the farmers throughout the oonntry was ii t favor of the sack remaining as at present. Mr Reece asked whether the A ssociation had not passed a, resolution on the .subject. Mr G. Gould thought the Association had come to the conclusion that they would not interfere with the present size. The President said that the question was one which should be decided by the Farmers' Unions.

Mr Huponin said that it teemed to him that the present generation w.Bre degenerating, as the weight of the present sacks would have been no trouble to the men of the olden times.

Mr Gould suggested that tbte Association should recommend the Railwrty Department not to carry packages of wbiiat of greater weight than 2001b. He would move—" That the Association recommend tb » Railway Department to issue a regulation that they would not carry grain in bags of more than 2001b weight."—Mr McDonald seoonded the motion. An amendment was moved b;f Mr Hugonin to the effect that the size of the Backs remain as now. Sir John Hall pointed out th at it was not a question for the farmerß. but ftir the farmers' men, who had to carry the saclts. Mr Hugonin's amendment was put and lost. Mr Jamesovr then moved—"That the matter be referred to the Farmeni' Unions and Farmers' Clubs throughout tlie colony for their de-cision." This was seconded, and ocn being put was lost. Mr Gould's original motion was then carried. Mr Gould then moved—" That the Association ia making the recommendation had in view the uso of a smaller sack, maintaining the same relative proportions as to length and breadth as the sack now in use." —Mr Macdimald seconded the motion, which was agreed, to.