DISTRICT NEWS.

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1919, Page 5

DISTRICT NEWS.

(Own corr'-sponclcut.)

RUATANGATA

N.Z.F.U. MEETING

The general meeting of the Rua-tang-ata Branch was postponed from the evening of the 14th inst. to the next evening. Both nights proved wet, but nevertheless the meetingwas held on th e 15th inst, when the attndance was below the average. In the absence of the president (Mr Hodge, who was indisposed), M r W. D. Hamilton, vice-president, occupied th c chair, and there were also present: Messrs R. Wilson, J. H. Thompson, L. H. Lilley, R. Lewin F. Yates, and E. S. Tremaine (hon. secretary).

Re the request that the branches of the N.Z.F:U. be circularised to support a movement in favour of asking the Government to finance the establishments of agricultural implement depots in different districts where the associations of farmers, or other responsible authorities, are prepared to satisfactorily conduct the same, Mr Thompson proposed, and Mr Yates seconded, that the branch supports the implement depot, and the motion was carried.

The secretary submitted the branch financial statement, and also read the report of the last Whangarei Sub-Provincial Executive meeting.

Mr W, D. Hamilton, branch delegate, reported and brought the following remits before the meeting:—

Hikurangi,—That the Railway Department be requested to speed-up the passenger trains and accelerate the delivery of goods on the Whangarei section,- I—Resolved1—Resolved to support, Towai.—That endeavours be made to speed up passenger trains on Wednesdays and Saturdays; also, that in summer months the trains leave Whangarei at 5 p.m., each branch secretary to circulate a petition to that effect,—lt was resolved to turn down this remit in favour of Hikurangi.

Waikiekie.—That it be a suggestion to the N.Z.F.U. that they start a land agency business.—Resolved to support. That the N.Z.F.U. invite representatives of wool-growers, dairymen, beef and mutton producers, and all interested in producing to a conference held in some centre to discuss advertising our products in th c Home markets. —Resolved to support this remit.

Matapouri.—That we urge upoii the Government the advisability of pooling all city electorates, so that each city shall b e entitled to return only one- member to Parliament. That the Bay of Islands and other back block electorates be entitled to return extra members to Parliament, not on a basis of population, but based on the amount of unsettled land in each district.—Resolved to turn this remit down.

A letter was read from the Whangarei Harbour Board, requesting that this branch appoint a delegate to attend a conference, to be held on the 6th August r e harbour improvement scheme, and M r E. S. Tremaine was appointed on the motion of Messrs W. D. Hamilton aynd J. Thompson. "The following two remits from this branch was • dealt with: —JVEr Hamilton proposed that th c N.Z.F.U. strongly protests against the ever increasing freights and fares, cramped accommodation, and poor food on the Northern Shipping Company's boats on th c Whangarei run, and urgently requests, now that the war is over, that the directors of the company rectify the present unsatisfactory conditions. This was seconded by Mr A. Wilson and carried.

Mr Hamilton also proposed that the N.Z.F.U. ask the Government to make it compulsory that all agents and salesmen be responsible for the quality of all farm seeds, and also protect the farmer against noxious weeds in seeds, and also to comply with the Act in having correct analysis of contents in each bag of manure.—Seconded by Mr J. Thompson, and carried.