FARMERS’ UNION

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4562, 20 April 1942, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION

TE AWAMUTU EXECUTIVE _ MEETS VARIOUS MATTERS DISCUSSED There was a very good attendance of members at the meeting of the Executive, held on Friday evening, April 17th.. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs L. C. Day, S. A.. Ammon, and E. Krippner. Before business commenced the acting Mr A. E. Bryant, welPresident, Mr A. S. Wyllie, on his return from military service, where he had been engaged for the last three months. Mr Bryant also welcomed Mr G. T. Crawley, who had returned from mili-* tary service, and Mr H. K. William- ' son, a new member on the Executive. SUNDAY CARTING BY MILK AND CREAM LORRIES The matter of Sunday delivery of urgent goods had previously been discussed by the Executive and referred to the Auckland Provincial Secretary, who had received the following reply from the Commissioner of Transport: “Your letter addressed to the Hon. Minister of Transport has been referred to me and I am directed to advise that presumably the restriction referred to is the legislation restricting Sunday trading. If so, the legislation, namely, Section 18 of the Police Offences Act, 1927, states that the section does not apply to ‘works of necessity, which apparently would cover the activities you describe.” BARBED WIRE Several letters and a telegram on this subject from the Auckland Procincial Secretary were read to the [ meeting, and a very full discussion I followed. The Auckland Provincial Secretary advised the quantity of wire that had been allocated to this branch’s area, but pointed out that at present only loose coils and spare wire was required. A list of all spare wire was required to facilitate collection by the Army truck drivers. The wire was to be weighed and would be paid for at a later date at a figure considerably in excess of the price ruling at the commencement of the war. If there were not sufficient spare coils of wire available the Army authorities would definitely require wire to be taken off fences.

As far as was known, all barbed wire in stores and warehouses had been commandeered for defence purposes. Also, all officials in charge of Government Land Settlement Schemes had been required to furnish a return of all loose wire on the different blocks. However, it was stated, some farmers had alleged that barbed wire was still procurable at certain stores. Correspondence received advised that any wire known to be in stores should be reported for impressment, as it was contended that only by using all spare wire available, would farmers avoid the inconvenience of having to take wire from their fences. Some offers of spare wire had already been received but much more was required to achieve this Branch’s allocation. If wire was required for Defence purposes no one would object to providing some, as long as collection was made on an equitable basis.

Eventually a sub-committee consisting of Messrs A. S. Wyllie, H. E. Bryant and C. J. Flay was appointed to go more fully into this matter and to act as a liaison body between the Defence authorities and the farmers.

MANURE IN RAILWAY GOODSSHEDS

A letter was received from the local stationmaster stating that many farmers had a habit of leaving lime and manure in the Ngaroto and Te Mawhai goods-sheds for an undue length of time, and requesting the assistance of the. Farmers’ Union in bringing this matter to the notice of those farmers concerned. The Railway Department was determined that manure should be kept in the railway sheds for as short a period as possible, otherwise drastic action would be taken. REPORTS •Mr G. Donaldson reported on the progress of the cull cow drives, which were proving very successful. Mr G. L'awry gave a comprehensive account of business discussed at the sub-Provincial Conference held in Hamilton on April 10th. The Secretary reported on another meeting held to further the petition for a public hospital at Te Awamutu, when those present unanimously and emphatically agreed that the above hospital facilities were urgently required for this district. THE SADDLERY INDUSTRY This Executive was concerned at the serious shortage of saddlers and harness repairers in this Branch’s area and had made application to the Manpower Committee to have a saddler released from military service. It was gratifying to have received a reply stating that Mr C. J. Carthy would shortly be returned to the saddlery business in Te Awamutu.