INTERESTS OF FARMERS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1932, Page 10

INTERESTS OF FARMERS

CLEARING NOXIOUS WEEDS USE OF UNEMPLOYED LABOUR. KENWOOD ROAD LEVEL CROSSING. Improvements to the Henwood Road level crossing and the use of unemployed labour in clearing noxious weeds from farm lands were the chief matters discussed at the meeting of the executive of the North Taranaki branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union at New Plymouth yesterday. Present were Messrs. H. E. Blyde (president), G JHarris, H. R. Marsh, R. B. Fleming, A. W. Busing, A. Chapman, F. Calvert, A. Carr, H. Hunt, P. Gilbert, M. G. Trotter, H. Marfell, M. Nolan, W. Hardgreaves, L. Hickford, J. F. Phillips, A. M. Cane, R. Dunn, J. Paulger, W. Hall and H. C. Sorenson.

The general manager of railways wrote stating that the union's letter regarding the railway level crossing at Hen wood Road- had been referred to the Government Railways Board and. in reply he had to inform the union that inquiries went to show that although the view of trains approaching the crossing from New Plymouth was not as good as might be desired, the crossing could hardly be classed as dangerous.

He pointed out that the speed of trains from New Plymouth over the crossing -would, never be more than 30 miles per hour owing to the grades in the line, and in every case the engine would be steaming heavily and its approach indicated by the smoke and steam.

If was reported that the gorse hedges on private property which extended, to the railway were probably the worst obstruction to the view of approaching trains, and it was understood that the county council was taking steps to have the hedges removed. Arrangements had also been made for the bank on the north-western side of the crossing to be cut down to three or four feet above rail level, and the lessee of the land, on the south-western side of the crossing had been approached regarding the removal of two small lumps on the ground which partly obstructed the view.

When these improvements were carried out the view would be considerably improved and there would be no danger to motorists taking ordinary precautions. The union’s request that a warning device should be placed at the crossing had. to be refused. The department was aware of many crossings in a worse position than Henwood Road, but could do nothing at present in the matter owing to the financial position. Mn Hall said that members of the Waitara riding of the Taranaki County Council had met the representatives of the Railway Department on the spot ‘and had agreed on the matter. RELIEF LABOUR ON FARMS. The Minister of Agriculture wrote station- that he desired the co-operation of tlie° union in bringing to the notice of its members that the Department of Agriculture had made arrangements with the Unemployment Board that all farmers making application for labour for the purpose of destroying noxious weeds are to be granted >relief workers free of wages cost. Details of numbers of men, days and hours of work and transport, if any, were to be arranged between the farmer and the local unemployment committee. He urged that in the interests of the individual farmer and the community in general all farmers should avail themselves of the arrangement, by so doing not only adding to the production value of their individual holdings but also assisting the unemployed. Members spoke in support of the scheme and the president pointed out that if the farmers made arrangements in certain districts single men’s unemployment camps could, be established and the men could proceed from one farm to another clearing up the farms. The farmers could, assist with .the provision of food for the camp. . The union decided to circulate copies of the Minister’s letter among the branches. The Commissioner of Unemployment wrote stating that the employment of men on reproductive work was the definite policy of the Unemployment Board and. was being pursued as far as possible. The board would be pleased to receive any definite proposals from the union -whereby men might be used, for splitting posts, together with details as to the°location and condition of the properties on which the timber was to be taken. Regarding the application by the Mokau-Awakino branch urging the metalling of the lower portion of the Mokau Valley Road the Minister of Public Works said he would go into the matter with e. view to ascertaining whether that road, when viewed on its merits with all other applications received, could be regarded as of sufficient urgency and importance to warrant’ a first claim on available funds. As soon as he w’as in a position to know this he would get in touch with the union again. Regarding the complaint of the union that certain farmers. preferred to pay fines rather than remove noxious weeds from their land, the Minister of Agriculture pointed out the difficulties of administering the Act and said that a too severe administration would simply drive settlers off the land. MOKAU RABBIT GATE. The union considered the question of the removal of the rabbit gates at Mokau. Members spoke of the danger of rabbits in the light land round the coast. After hearing the views of members the union decided to take no action towards the removal of the gates. Mr. Trotter proposed that as an economic measure and in order to maintain interest and enthusiasm in the union's activities some provision should be made in the case of isolated branches to give relief and assistance in the form of subsidising their funds by the provincial executive to meet the costs of branch delegates’ expenses. The matter was held ovei’ for the consideration of the annual conference at Inglewood at the end of the month. The union decided to support the Women's Division in the scheme fol continuing Flock House for the sons of ex-servicemen. Inglewood is to be granted three official delegates at the conference, i i