NEEDS OF FARMERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20724, 18 November 1930, Page 5

NEEDS OF FARMERS.

THAMES VALLEY CONFERENCE CRITICISM OF " POLL TAX." POLITICS AND THE UNION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN* CORRESPONDENT.] PAEROA, Monday. The inaugural meeting of the Thames Valley sub-provincial branch of tho Fanners' Union was held at Paeroa at the week-end, when delegates wero present from Paeroa, Kerepehi, Ngalea, Netherton, Waihi Plains, Mangatangi and Colville. Mr. F. Considine,, of Netherton, presided, and it was decided to hold meetings at Paeroa and Thames alternately. Mr. 11. 0. Mellsop, of Colville; was elected president of the branch, and district representative oil tho< Auckland executive. It was decided to investigate the matter of district stock inspections, and to inquire into the instructions received by tho inspectors, that thoy wero to limit their travelling to not more than 300 miles a month. Members said they considered that tho instructions interfered with efficiency. Several members expressed dissatisfaction with the unemployment tax, and tho following motion was put to the meeting:—"That this meeting, while endorsing i lie principles of direct taxation and unemployment insurance, calls for tho repeal of the Unemployment Act, as being subversive of the morale of tho nation and inequitable in its incidence in its present form." Mr. Considine said that., in the opinion of the Netherton farmers, the Act was a splendid one. A fund hod to be raised by some means, and the direct levy was the best way. Mr. Mellsop said a great many farmers were not earning as much as 14s a day and would not derive any benefit from the Act. The Act was wrong in setting up a permanent office as a palliative, instead of delving into the causes of unemployment. lie agreed with the action of the executive in declining to nominate a representative on tho Unemployment Board. Mr. S. Morgan, Waihi, iiaid the farmers should be represented on the.board in order to make suggestions toward remedying tho matter. Mr. J. Darlington, Ngatea, said ho opposed the Act, as it took no heed of the ability to pay. It was a typical political move. After considerable discussion the words "in its present form" were deleted from the motion, which was then carried. Tho following resolutions also were carried :—■ That the Auckland executive investigate the representation of counties on electric-power boards, and take such steps as it considers necessary to secure a more equitable system. That the executive be urged to do all in its power to bring abcut the introduction of agricultural banks. That tho Thames Valley sub-provinca supports political action in the union. CARRIAGE 0? FERTILISERS. PROTEST VOICED IN OTAGO. [I?Y TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Monday. Tho Olago branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union has sent the following telegram to the Minister of Railways, Hon. W. A. Veitch: The Otago provincial executive of the Farmers' Union emphatically protests against the proposed increases in railage on fertilisers and lime, feeling* that such increases will detrimentally affect production, further hit tho primary producer and increase ur employment. The executive is of opinion that steps should be taken to ensure that farmers receive free railage on lime should send their products by rail."'