FARMERS’ UNION

Southland Times, Issue 23182, 24 April 1937, Page 18

FARMERS’ UNION

MONTHLY MEETING OF EXECUTIVE OBJECTION TO WAIKAIA RAILWAY BRIDGE The monthly meeting yesterday of the Southland Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was attended by Messrs G. A. Hamilton (president), G. Chewings, J. Lynch, D. Macpherson, J. J. Crampton, J. McLeary, S. Shaw, R. Sim, A. R. Johnston, A. Roy, J. H. McLeod, D. McCrae, C. S. Stevens, D. Dickie, W. H. Ward, W. Couser, T. Major, W. B. Hopcroft, J. Robertson, T. McCann, J. Young, A. H. McLean, J. R. Nuttall, W. R. Ayson, W. R. Mclntosh, D. H. O’Brien, S. Cameron, T. McMath, S. C. Bowmar and C. H. Wilson. Advice was received from the Dominion secretary (Mr A. P. O’Shea) that he had forwarded the branch’s protest against the erection of an overhead bridge on the Waikaka line to the Minister of Railways (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan). “This is a local matter.” the letter added. “This is a national matter, not a local matter,” remarked Mr Ward. “It is no use one province taking it up when all the others are trying to get as much spent intheir districts as possible. It is the principle to which I object, not particularly individual bridges. Debt is being piled up. If expenditure is going to be reproductive, all well and good. But when unproductive debts are being piled up, we will just have to ‘carry the baby’ later on.” Price of Cement “I would advise you that the whole question of the price of cement is at present engaging the close attention of the Government,” stated a letter received from the Minister of Industries and Commerce (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) in reply to the union. “An investigation is being conducted into the ccst of manufacture consequent upon the zoning system effected by the cement companies themselves. As soon as the full detailed accounts and figures are before me, the whole question will be given my most serious consideration, and you may rest assured that the comments outlined in your letter to the Hon. Mr Semple will be borne in mind in arriving at any decision.” It was stated that the objection was not because' of any increase in price that might be made now, but that the price had been too high for some years. “If the price was reasonable, I am satisfied that 10 times as much cement would be used,” Mr Lynch said. Forest Hill Reserve Mr J. Robertson explained the position that had arisen as the result of the disappearance of timber from the Forest Hill Settlers’ Reserve. Permission had been given to some farmers to cut timber for the, purpose of erecting houses and other buildings, he said. Trees were felled and timber disappeared, but there had been no sign of new buildings. An inquiry was held. “That sort of thing is not fair,” Mr Robertson said. “It has been suggested that a strong committee should be set up to consider and grant applications for stakes or firewood. We understood that this was a settlers’ reserve for all time, but the position should be cleared up finally."

It was decided that Mr Robertson should arrange a deputation to meet the Minister of Lands (the Hon. F. Langstone) during his visit to Southland.