OPUNAKE AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1934, Page 11

OPUNAKE AFFAIRS

FARMERS’ UNION MEETING. TRADE AND EXCHANGE RATE. A meeting of the Opunake branch of the Farmers’ Union was held on Saturday afternoon, when Mr. W. A. Sheat Discussing a motion from the Dominion executive concerning trade with the East Mr. Tosland said he considered a tariff adjustment with America was the best solution for the increased production from this country. Trade with the large eastern ports of America was a possibility worthy of exploitation. Other speakers pointed out that the consumption of our products in this Dominion and in Britain was statistically small and could be increased considerably. . , An interesting discussion on exchange was introduced by the president who put forward the question: “What will be the result to the farming community when the 25 per cent, exchange is removed?” There was no definite date, he said, when it would be removed. The position would be serious to the dairy farmer. It was a problem what would be the ultimate result of the lifting which, he thought, would be brought about through pressure. The objective, said Mr. Sheat, was beneficial, but the guarantee to the banks negatived the benefits. Australia raised the exchange, but the system was' carried out without a Government guarantee, largely owing to the Commonwealth Bank giving a lead. The raising of the exchange in New Zealand was against the advice of the mercantile importers and against the advice of the banks.

Mr. Tosland moved that the branch was strongly of opinion that the present rate of exchange should not be removed at the end of the export season unless the produce were safeguarded by some other means while present low prices remained. This was seconded by Mr. A. J. Pettigrew and carried. The subject of noxious weeds was brought Up. by Mr. Pettigrew, who said that in certain areas weeds, particularly ragwort, were extensive. Mr. Tosland suggested that weeds would be a menace until local bodies got authoritative- control.

Queen Carnival, The Seaside Society’s queen carnival is actively organised. On Saturday evening a mock court sitting in a lorry in the main street, dealt with many first offenders who were fined nominal amounts.

Mrs. Malcolm and her helpers have been practising nightly for a concert at which many novel musical and dancing items will be given. Euchre parties, children’s parties and other social items will be held by the carnival committees-