KAITAIA FARMERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22398, 20 April 1936, Page 12

KAITAIA FARMERS

REMITS FOR CONFERENCE I OFFICERS OF THE UNION [by TELEGRAI'H—own correspondent] KAITAIA, Saturday The annual; meeting of the Kaitaia branch of the Farmers' Union attracted a good attendance of members. The president, Mir. T. S. Houston, gave a review of the work of the branch during the past year. Among the remits approved for submission to the sub-provincial conference were the following:—That, the Government be urged to appoint a commission to investigate local body administration with a view to reducing costs; that the law be altered to make all cases of sheep and cattle stealing penal offences and punishable accordingly; that all farmers be requested to forward particulars of their brands and earmarks so that a schedule might bo compiled, and that failing this method the stock inspector be asked to compile the list. Some members pointed out that as the farmers would have to pay a much higher wage than formerly to farm labourers it was only right that such labour should be qualified. In order that the status of farming might be raised legislation should be enacted requiring farm hands to pass *a certain standard of education and also to serve an apprenticeship and spend a reasonable time at an agricultural collega.

Exception was taken to the county by-law prohibiting the use of sledges on roads even when going from one part of the farm to another and it was decided that Messrs. A. G. Bell, F. Brent and A. W. Masters wait on the County Council requesting that this by-law be not enforced as severely as it was at present.

The following officers were elected:— President, Mr. T. S. Houston; vicepresidents, Messrs. A. W. Masters and J. Stewart; secretary, Mr. A. A. Bell; executive, ( Messrs. «T. C. Marsh, C. B. Michie, D. H. Anderson, A. G. Bell, W. Bell, E. 0. Matthews, T. Matthews, F. Brent, D. H. Lewis, J. Morrison, It. H. Michie, P. Hansen and D. Kitchen; delegates to the annual conference, Messrs. T. Matthews and D. Kitchen; members of the sub-provincial executive, Messrs. T. S. Houston and A. W. Masters.