FARMERS’ UNION INTERESTS

Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 1929, Page 10

FARMERS’ UNION INTERESTS

STRATFORD SUB-EXECUTIVE. NEW BRANCH AT HUIROA. The Stratford sub-provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union met in Stratford on Saturday, Mr. M. G. Trotter presiding over a full attendance of delegates from all affiliated branches. Mr. T. T. Murray (Toko) reported that, in company with Messrs. E. and L. Marfell, he had met settlers of the Huiroa district, where it had subsequent-1 ly been decided to form a branch of the ' union. The secretary (Mr. H. A. Hunt) advised that Mr. J. Woods had been elected president of the branch and Mr. L. Stanford secretary. The chairman extended a hearty welcome to Messrs. Woods and Iremonger, delegates to the executive from the new branch. He referred to the needs of back country areas, emphasising the desirability of maintaining close touch with the activities of the new organisation. The secretary reported having written Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P., asking him to interview the Postmaster-General and solicit the help of the Minister of Lands in-securing rural mail delivery established in the districts of Strathmore, Makahu and Te Wera. In reply Mr. Polson forwarded a communication from the Postmaster-General to the effect that careful consideration was being given the matter. The steady increase in vermin was mentioned by Mr. N. B. Fryday (Ngaere), who suggested, that the attention of Taranaki members of Parliament should be drawn to the position and asked to interest themselves in some measure for the destruction of sparrows, blackbirds; rats, deer, stoats, weasels, black woodhens, kingfishers, hawks, stags, goats and quail. “Each year,” said Mr. Fryday, “it costs me £3O to grub blackberry and 10s per 100 for ammunition to destroy vermin.” He urged the removal of all duty on sporting ammunition, pointing out that in his district opossums • were doing enormous damage. He also put forward a recommendation to the effect that the Animals Protection Act, 1921, and the Arms Act, 1920, be repealed. Mr. Fryday spoke for some time on the matter, which was afterwards referred back to Mr. Fryday to bring forward at the next meeting. The president, secretary and Mr. E. Marfell were appointed to act as delegates to the next meeting of the North Taranaki provincial executive. i BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT. COMPETITION AT STRATFORD. Organised by the Taranaki Secondary Schools Basketball Association’s executive a basketball tournament was held at the Stratford Technical High School on Saturday. Twelve teams competed— Hawera High School (3),. S.T.H.S. (3), S. Mary's (2), New Plymouth Convent (3) and Stratford Convent (1). The tournament wa- drawn into two sections, one of which was won by the New Plymouth Convent and the other by the Hawera High School. | These two teams then played. The game was fast and keen but Convent soon asserted its superiority and established a load that was maintained until the final whistle sent the teams from the ground with the verdict to Convent by 11 to 5. The referees were Misses Britland, Griffin and Beale and Mr. A. H. R. Alness. The visitors were provided with luncheon and afternoon tea. Following the competition Mr. Ainess presented prizes for the day’s play and took the opportunity to present the trophies won during the season by Hawera (A grade) and New Plymouth Convent (B grade). BOXING AT STRATFORD. The result of the Hector Leckie-Leslie fight at Ashburton on Friday night gives added interest to the match between Donovan and H. Leckie to take place in the Stratford town hall on October 19. Donovan and Leslie have met on two occasions, the decision going to Donovan each time on points. On Friday night Leckie knocked out Leslie in the sixth round, so it appears that at last Donovan will have an opponent worthy of his steel. The box plan for the fight at Stratford is open at Watson’s arid early application will be necessary to secure a good scat. Already numbers of seats have been booked. Dress circle seats will be reserved as well as ringside seats. AMATEUR ATHLETICS. A meeting of the committee of the Stratford Amateur . Athletic Club was held last Friday evening. Messrs. Malone, Mills, Owen and Skoglund were appointed an executive committee. It was reported that Mr. Yates had offered a cup for competition. The offer was gratefully accepted. EXPORT DUTY ON HIDES. “In view of the fact that the Farmers’ and Fellmongers’ Association is asking for an export duty of 2d per. lb to be imposed on all wool for scouring and raw hides leaving New Zealand, this executive enters a strong protest against any such duty placed on hides, skins or any other primary product produced in the Dominion, the members being convinced that such duties would create hardship, retard land settlement and reduce production.” This remit was unanimously adopted at Saturday’s meeting of the Stratford sub-p-ovincial executive of the Farmers’ Union. The remit will go forward to the next conference of the North Taranaki provincial executive.