FARMERS' UNION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 23 May 1936, Page 13

FARMERS' UNION

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE CONCLUDING BUSINESS REMITS ON MANY SUBJECTS The annual conference of tlie Nelson Provincial Farmers’ Union was concluded yesterday afternoon under tlie presidency of Mr K. J. Tlolyoake M.P. Remits were dealt with as follows ;• — "That this conference considers that it i$ essential that No. 4 Group be organised into one effective unit and that the other three provinces be urged to fall in line with this.”( Ngatimoti Branch). —Carried. it was resolved that the four delegates to the group Meeting to take place on sth June be the president, and Messrs R. C. Raine, H. K. Johnston, J. Dicker.

“That where an owner of a plantation does not maintain a permanent adequate lire break he be responsible for loss by fire spreading from adjoining properties.” (Korere-Motupiko). Mr J. P. Prouse said that with regard to the word adequate each locality had its different problem, so that adequate in one was not adequate at anoiiier. Une could only deline reasonable precaution. Mr H. K. Johnston considered that the remit should be limited down to the months in which burning was allowed. He moved an amendment that those words be added, namely “During the months legally allowed for burning.” Mr O'Hara seconded the amendment, which was latex- withdrawn in favour of Mr O’. C. Wilkinson’s suggestion that the remit be referred to the executive, with the object of calling expert evidence.

rt was not right for owners to be allowed to sit under tlie protection oi the forestry regulation and refuse to pul in reasonable lire breaks. “That in the opinion of this executive the river road between Stanley Brook bridge and Drummond Bros, should be constructed thereby eliminating the dangeiwis Stanley Brook hill.” (TadmorMatariki). —Referred to the incoming executive. "That this branch considers that a nominee, for a public body snould have a definite stake in the country m so far as being a landowner.” (Stoke-Rich-moiul). Mr E. S. Wratt disagreed with the remit solely on the ground that it was narrowing the franchise. Mr L. Robinson also opposed, saying that it might close the door io valuable men.

The remit was lost. ‘That this conference protests strongly against the action of the Wainiea County Council in appointing a Noxious Weed Inspector as the office could ue carried out by the day-men in the ridings.” (Ngatimoti Branch). Mr F. Teece said that the roads were overgrown with weeds and the inspectoi would control that. There was a. large amount of work entailed, and the inspector was necessary. He was surprised to see the remit, and no benefit could be derived from the remit. Mr E. S. Wratt considered that the Waimed County Council had done its best for the county in the matter.

The remit was lost. “That the County Council be asked to investigate a scheme lor control ol rubbish on frontages by means of spraying or some such method. (Ngatimot 1 . Branch).— Carried. Mr Teece said that the Council were not responsible for noxious weeds on t-he roadside. , , Mr J. Dicker asked whether the Waimea County Council would not carry oujt experiments ’'with flame-throwers etc., to arrive at a solution of the difficulty and enable the owners ot land to clear their own frontages. Mr A. N. Wilkinson said that there was room for great improvement in the control of road frontages, lie present method was expensive and the comity should make some inquiries as to a better method. „ “That the Dominion President of the Farmers’ Union should bo dissociated from politics.” '(Murchison Branch). This remit was discussed in committee and withdrawn. “That the question of Dr. Freeman s transfer be fully discussed at this conference. ” (Riwaka Branch).— -The remit was discussed in committee, it being iesolvcd that in view of the dissatisfaction on the part of an important section ot farmers in Lhe province that the Minister be asked to review the transfer ot Dr. Freeman. , . “That tliti authority concerned be approached with a view to haying the annual military camp held a little earliei, tints avoiding inconvenience to lruit and tobacco growers.” (Tasman Branch). • Carried- , - . “That this branch protect against (lie present system of rural mail delivery and requests' that the Government be approached with a view to having the annual charge reduced.” (Dovedale Branch).— Carried. . “That the Nelson Provincial Union should continue to urge for the completion of the Midland Railway, or at least for its completion to Murchison. (Murchison Branch). —Carried. ‘-‘That as construction works on the gap between Glenhope and Murchison on the Midland line are almost completed a considerable sum of money is already expended and earning on interest,' this Waimea branch of the banners' Union would urge upon the Government the necessity of completing tins section in order to give this line a reasonable chance lo pay its way and return interest on moneys already expended it being unreasonable to expect any railway running to a dead end in a virtual wilderness to be a payable proposition.” (Waimea Branch). —Carried.