FARMERS’ UNION AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1928, Page 23

FARMERS’ UNION AFFAIRS

GOODS SHED AT WAIONGONA. POISONS IN FARM REMEDIES. The monthly meeting of the North Taranaki provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. S. Vickers (chairman), H. E. Blyde (Lepperton), M. Nolan (Ratapiko), C. J. Harris (Oakura), A. R. Alpe (Uruti), J. F. Phillips (Urenui), A. M. Allen (Maketawa), W. Jones (Okokc), W. Maloney (Omata), 11. Jones (kaimata), L. Hickford (Okato), W. Hall (Huirangi), B. White (Alangorci), J. Paulgcr (Tikorangi) and Whittaker (Okoke). In connection with group buying by union members, Air. J. Pow, Dominion secretary, wrote that the commercial manager of railways in the South Island had promised to enquire whether the amount of purchases shipped from the South Island would warrant direct shipments to Note Plymouth.—The letter was referred to the coipmittee dealing with the matter. Every consideration would be given the representations regarding the provision of a goods shed at Waiongona, wrote the Minister of Railways. Investigations would be made. Mr. Blyde said he had interviewed the district traffic manager (Air. Hartland) and had received a very favourable bearing regarding the need for a goods shed at Waiongona. Characterising them as ‘'hamper ing” and deterimental to the farming community, a commercial firm forwarded a copy of the proposed Government regulations regarding poisonous substances in sheep and cattle dips and other agricultural and horticultural remedies. There seemed to be no need for the regulations as no case of poisoning from these products had occurred. It was suggested there was some ulterior motive behind the suggested regulations Messrs. Jones and Hall contended that any further restrictions of the sort would tend to put up the price of fanners’ commodities. They had to go to the police station now lor a permit for blasting powder and they soon would have to do so in connection with sheep dip. “For the life of me I can’t understand any farmers advocating more restrictions on anything they have to buy,’’ said Mi Hall. Other delegates considered the regulations were unnecessary. They would not prevent a person making a mistake in drinking from a bottle in which poison had been put. Mr. White asked why they should differentiate between poisons used by farmers and those used by others. He thought the proposed regulations were quite reasonable. It was decided to oppose any restrictions being placed on the sale of sheep dip, weed killers or any other poisonous preparations used in agriculture or horticulture. If the bottles were properly labelled the case would bo met adequately. The Minister oi Lands wrote that he could not take action to reduce the legal and stamp duties charges on the transfer to one of the partners in a property belonging to two or more returned soldiers. Regarding complaints about the fees charged in connection with the transfer of a returned soldier’s property the Taranaki District Law Society wrote that the ease seemed to be an unusual one and that under the circumstances the legal and stamp duty charges ap peared to be reasonable. It was explained that the case about which complaint had been made involved £l7OO, the legal and stamp charges amounting to £54. Despite the explanations, Mr. Wliite complained that the scale of charges was excessive. The chairman intimated ho would not bo able to attend the meeting of the Dominion executive on October 10 and Air. Harris was appointed delegate in his stead. In connection with the proposed tour of 120 British farmers at the end of 1929 or the beginning of 1930, headquarters of the Farmers’ Union wrote asking what form of entertainment the provincial executive would undertake, what scenic resorts in the district and what places of farming interest the party might visit. It was suggested that two days might be occupied in this district in visiting the freezing and fertiliser works, the mountan, and stud farms. Mr. Harris was authorised to bring this proposal before the Dominion executive. It was decided to arrange a meeting in Inglewood to form a branch and discuss the organisation of the district, this action being the outcome of suggestions made by several farmers in the district.