TRAFFIC FEES EXEMPTION

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1931, Page 6

TRAFFIC FEES EXEMPTION

NON-COLLECTION FROM FARMERS.

COUNTY COUNCIL REPRIMANDED. The failure of the Stratford County Council to collect heavy traffic fees from farmers was censured by the Audit Department on the balance-sheet presented to the meeting of the council on Saturday. "We are here to conduct the affairs of the county according to the law and not to favour one section of the community at the expense of others,” said Cr. b. Pitt. “I move that no exceptions from heavy traffic fees be granted after May JI next,” , Agreement was voiced by Cr. J. V. Best, who said that while the imposition of the fees would be a burden on farmers there was no doubt that the council had to abide by the Jaw. Councillor J. T. Belcher thought the legislation should be altered.to relieve the farmer of having to pay extra to take his milk to the factory by motorlorry. If the collection of the fees was insisted upon farmers with trucks would revert to horses and waggons which would cut up the roads to a greater extent than did the soft-tyred motors. He moved an amendment that the matter be deferred until it had been considered by the Local Bodies’ Association. Councillor L. Bunn: That looks like defying the authorities. Councillor T. T. Murray: We’ve been doing it for years. , The amendment w as lost and the motion was carried.

“Now the department wants an explanation of our attitude,” said the clerk, Mr. C- J. Campbell. It was decided to advise the department that, the Stratford council’s action was in conformity with that of other counties in Taranaki. GIFTS FOR SEVENTY UNEMPLOYED. ' COMMITTEE TO ENTERTAIN. Through the generosity of people in the Stratford district Who have appreciated the efforts of those unemployed men who availed themselves of the assistance of -the Stratford Self-Help Club, the committee finds itself in a position to distribute certain gifts suitable to the Christmas season to the 70 families who so successfully developed their gardens. Next Wednesday, at least one representative of each family has been asked to attend at the Parish Hall, when a gigantic cake is to be cut into substantial parcels, one parcel to go to each family. In addition, there will be a gift mutton stall from which Mr. E. Marfell and assistants will distribute joints prepared for the table. It is expected the Mayoress will officiate in the cutting of portion of the cake and Mr. W. J. < Polsori,‘ M.P., or a member of his family at another. Subscribers and members of the committee will take this opportunity of expressing their appreciation of the manner in which the unemployed produced such excellent gardens under the scheme. Father Christmas in his robes of office contemplates a visit to the hall. The immense cake was made by Mr. T. Smith on Saturday. RESTRICTIONS ON ASIATICS. SUPPORT AT ELTHAM. "That the council, while appreciating the . work of the White New Zealand League and its endeavour to keep the Dominion free from Asiatics and other aliens would suggest that the position might be safeguarded by more stringent Government regulation and by strictly limiting the number to be admitted annually, also by a more rigid enforcement of the regulations governing, the sojourn of aliens in the Dominion. ’ This resolution was moved by the Mayor '(Mr. I. J. Bridger) and seconded by Cr. Pepperell at the meeting of the Eltham Borough Council on Friday, when a communication was received from the White New Zealand League asking for the support of the council in excluding Asiatics from the country. The Mayor said that the problem was a difficult and complicated one owing to Britain’s large Empire containing many coloured and Asiatic people. He thought that even if they did not totally exclude Asiatics it was advisable for New Zealand to see that they did not become a menace to the country, and he thought the League should be supported to a point. Cr. Pepperell said he would like to see the resolution go much further, but he supported it as a step in the right direction. _ . Cr. Trask also considered that it was desirable to take some action, and the resolution was supported. ROTOKARE SCHOOL BREAK-UP. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. An enjoyable time was spent by the parents, pupils and friends of the Rotokare school when a gathering took place on Friday afternoon for the prize-giving and breaking-up ceremony. The children gave a short and very creditable programme of choruses and songs, after which Father Christmas arrived in his sledge and gave each child a present from a Christmas tree. Afternoon tea was served and each child received a prize. A special progress prize was awarded to Claude Martin. A single ladles’ race was held, for which prizes were donated by Mrs. H. Jordan, the winners being Miss M. Jordan 1, Miss M. Kerr 2. A lolly scramble completed a pleasant afternoon’s programme. STRATFORD AUCTION SALES. . The Central Mari had a fair attendance and good competition at Saturday’s sale. Cabbages brought 3J<L to sd. each, cabbage plants 3d. to Bd. a bundle, peas Is. Id. peck, peaches 2s. 6d. tray, cucumbers 4d. each, cherry plums 3s. case, hens Ib. to Is. 4d., young drakes 2s. 3d., ducks Is. 6d., roosters Is. Id., turkey gobblers 12s. 6d. to IBs. 6d-, turkey hens se/ 9d., goslings 35., three pigeons la., bantams 6d. each, duck and ducklings 3s. 5d., hen and chicks 35., geese 2s. to 2s. 6d. At Newton King, Ltd.’s haymarket sale there was a strong upward tendency in the price of pigs. There was a large attendance of the public and competition was keen. Weaners fetched from 10s. to 125., good stores IBs. to 205., good porkers 235. to 24®.