N.Z. FABLERS' UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17429, 25 September 1918, Page 6

N.Z. FABLERS' UNION

CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS. MINISTERIAL REPLIES. Sir James Allen (Acting Prime Minister) lias (says the Jb'armers' Advocate) eent the iollowing replies to the resolutions of the Dominion Conference of the New Zealand farmers' Union:— Kace Meetings.—The matter of the curtailment of race meetings is one for the viovermnent to decide, and your resolution with respect to this will bo referred to L'abinet. Enemy Goods. —Resolution dealing with the Hooding of the dominion with enemy manufactures after the war will be brought coiora the Prime Minister on his return to New Zealand. Control of Prices. —Resolution dealing with the control of prices raises a very difficult problem, whicii the Government is doing its best to solve. The question of ihe prioas of material and machinery imported from outside is not under the New Zealand Government's control, nor is the matter of freight charged for the carriage jn such imports to New Zealand. I shall have pleasure in bringing the matter before Ua binet. Prices of Manures and Oil Fuels.—l fear it is not practicable for the New Zealand biove.rnaneii.fc to regulate the prices of manures, as thess are, in most instances, I understand, obtained from outside New .Zealand. This question will, however, be 'referred to the Minister of Agriculture for his consideration. So far as 1 know, the supply of oil fuels is controlled in order fhat the requirements of essential industries may have precedence. Your resolution on rhe subject will be referred to tha Minister who is dealing with this matter. Referendum. —The resolution that , your union will resist any attempt to extend the principle of the referendum beyond the limits of the liquor qucst.on has been noted. Legislative Council. —With regard to resolution No. 9, I was not aware that the [arming and pastoral interests had been overlooked when tba recent Legislative Council appointments were made. I shall have pleasure in placing this resolution before the Prime Minister on his return. Nitrogen.—Respecting the resolution dealing with the shortage of coal and the largo demand for nitrogen for fertiliser purposes, this will bo referred to the Minister of Mines, who also happens to. be, for the time being, Minister of Agriculture. DEFENCE MATTERS. The Minister of Defence (the Hon. Sir James Allen), acknowledging the resolutions passed by the Dominion Conference, writes: / . I have to thank your union for the assurance that the producers will support the Government in carrying into etlcct any measures which the Government deems necessary to take in sending additional reinforcements to help the Empire at this critical time. Military Objectors.—The resolution suggesting that men refusing to carry out their military duties be disfranchised for, say, seven years, will bo referred for the consideration of the Government. Essential "Workers.—With regard to the third resolution, I understand that where there is any doubt at all in the minds of the members of the Military Service Board with regard to exemption, the invariable practice is to apply to the local trustees of the National Efficiency Board. Territorial Camps.—Respecting the resolution re the suspension of Territorial camps during the nreiod of the war, this matter is at present receiving every consideration, but I would impress upon your union the very valuable assistance that has been given to the Defence Department in selteting non-commissioned officers and officers for the Expeditionary Force owing to training acquired in Territorial camps. You may rest assured that the Defence Department will do everything it possibly can to conserve production. Regulating the Supply of Oil Fuel.—The Acting Prime Minister, replying to the resolution passed relative to the supply of oil fuels during the war period says: "I 'beg to- inform you that on July 1, 1918, regulations wore gazetted controlling the importation, s;!o. and distribution of petrol. The rpgniiuions provide that no potrol can be imported into the dominion except in purusance of an import license issued to the importer by the Minister in Cliargo of Munitions and Supplies, on the recommendation of the Board of Trade. To distribute petrol in any quantity of more Troublesome coughs in oid and young are quickly stopped by NAZOL. Take some drops on sugar. Ads like a charm. 60 doses Is 6d.

than 4000 gallons at one time it is necessary to take out a distributor's petrol license. Under the regulations the importer and distributor are required to limit the consumer to a supply not exceeding their actual requirements for a period of 28 days. Further, the licensee, in supplying petrol, is given preferem .> to those consumers who require it for essential uses, as defined by the Minister in Charge. For the purposes of theee regulations petrol moans and includes petrol, bpnzine, motor spirit, naphtha, gasolene, distillate, napthalate, and every other form of product of petroleum (with the exception of benzoline) which gives off an inflammable vapour at a temperature of less than lOOdeg Fahrenheit." Fuel Alcohol.—The Controller of Customs advises that "regulations setting forth the conditions under which fuel alcohol may be manufactured are under the oonsidera- ' tion of the Government." ; Station Telephones.— Respecting the reso- )■ ion urging that all officered stations be • connected with the local telephone bureau ■ in their respective districts, the resolution is fully met under existing arrangements, ■ as practically all the stations at which stationmastcrs are in charge are already J connected with the local telephone i bureau.