FARMERS’ UNION AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1933, Page 13 (Supplement)

FARMERS’ UNION AFFAIRS

NORTH TARANAKI EXECUTIVE. AMENDED ROAD CLASSIFICATION. The North Taranaki provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union met at New Plymouth yesterday, Mr. H. E. Blyde presiding. Others present were Messrs. H. R. Marsh (Inglewood), J. F. Phillips (Urenui), M. Nolan (Ratapiko), L. Hickford (Okato), H. A. Hunt (Stratford), C. J. Hams (Oakura), J. B. Dunn, P. Warren (Tarurutangi), C. D. Chant, A. W. Busing (Mangorei) and A. Chapman (Kaimata). “Owing to the unfavourable reports in reference to the condition of our dairy produce on the British market, this branch insists on the appointment of dairy instructors,” was a remit from the Inglewood branch.—The chairman said the Farmers’ Union had called the Stratford meeting which had decided to press for the appointment of dairy instructors. Inquiries as to who received the benefit in the rise of the exchange rate on the produce that was afloat at the time the exchange rise were suggested in a remit from the Huirangi branch. The chairman explained that if the produce was drawn on by letter of credit to the companies and the money drawn from the banks the benefit on exchange could be received only on the surnlus. The Aria Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd. and the Clifton County Council had withdrawn their objections to the amended classification of the main road, stated a letter from the Commissioner of Transport in reply to a remit originating in the Mokau branch. He- thought investigation would lead the union to similar action. The destruction of the road by overloading would mean a serious blow to the district and some form of protection was desirable during the winter. The maximum gross load on twoaxled vehicles would be 4J tons during those five winter months; in the remaining seven months all loads in connection with primary produce would be limited to 5i tons. The Main Highways Board was to be approached with a view to making provision for existing vehicles which had been regularly employed on the route. In that way it was hoped that hardship might not be inflicted on the operators, but it should be understood that new vehicles would have to conform to the classification. Experience showed that the road would not stand up to 64 ton loads on two-axled vehicles, and for that reason some action was necessary as funds to raise the standard of the road to Class HI. were not available. POSITION SATISFACTORY. By “fat stock” in his letter he meant that all farm produce and supplies to the farm would be covered by the permits. Under that system it was obvious that the carriers would be able to convey more than one ton of goods as a 3-ton pay-load could be carried by a vehicle of a bare weight of 3J tons. In view of the fact that provision had been made for existing vehicles the meeting considered the position was satisfactory. The advance in the price of sodium chlorate was inevitable because of the exchange rise, stated the Minister. of Agriculture in reply to ■ the executive s letter expressing the belief that there was no reason to believe that an excessive price had been charged by importers or distributors generally. The price had been up long before the rise in the exchange rate, said Mr. Busing. The letter was received. ' Reference to letters concerning the bobby calf traffic was made in a letter from the acting general manager of railways. His investigations had been completed and the particular incidents had occurred in August, 1930. Details were given to show that the calves were forwarded as expeditiously as possible in every case. The effect of late loading by the consignors was that the calves could only be sent by the next available train. According to the freezing works, mortality among bobby calves was low and appeared to be due to the weakness of the animals when loaded. An unemployment relief scheme advanced by Mr. Stavley (Oakura) _ was the subject of a letter from the Dominion secretary. The Commissioner of Unemployment had advised that a somewhat similar scheme was in operation in the Auckland district. The Dominion secretary gave a resume of the Auckland scheme for consideration as to its suitable application to Taranaki.—lt was decided to submit to the branches schemes referred to for purposes of comparison. The question of the boundaries between the North and South Taranaki executives was referred to in a letter from the southern executive. It was stated by the secretary (Mr. E. K. Cameron) that it had been left with him to confer with the north executive in an endeavour to come to a mutually satisfactory arrangement.—lt was decided- to arrange a meeting at Stratford on Tuesday for discussion of the position with south representatives.