ACTIVE UNION YEAR

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1935, Page 9

ACTIVE UNION YEAR

STRATFORD FARMERS’ EXECUTIVE. IMPORTANCE OF PERIOD. As far as the Farmers’ Union is concerned progress during the past year may be summed up in the one word “evolution,” according to the report to be presented at the annual meeting of the Stratford executive to-day. The report reviews events leading up to the establishment of the Executive Commission of Agriculture, It expresses the opinion that one serious mistake was the appointment of the Minister of Agriculture as chairman. Much of the work of the council must concern marketing abroad, or trade agreements with other countries. The exploration of new markets is handled by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, and his staff who have special qualification for that class of work. Recently the Minister of Commerce announced that a Trade Commissioner had been established in Central Europe. That. proved to the I executive that the chairman of the ex- j ecutive council should be the Minister of Commerce to avoid overlapping of departments. Realising the serious danger Of the embargo on boneless beef, the executive pressed to have it removed before the heavy culling season for dairy cows started, and was successful.

Local matters dealt with during the past year were summarised as:— Railways: Eastern passenger service; conveyance of nurse in same district during emergency calls; improvement 0 of stock yards and fences at Huiroa. Metalling roads: At Matau, Te Wera and Makuri Road. Progress has been made in two cases, and the executive is hopeful of further work at Matau. Its considered opinion is that this is the most useful and needful work to use unemployed upon. Time limit at stock sales: At the executive’s request this was brought into effect at dairy sales, and has been successful. It is endeavouring to have it extended to cover sheep fairs as well. Heavy traffic fees on milk lorries: The executive is still fighting for these exemptions, and collections of fees are still being held in abeyance. Ragwort: The executive kept a close watch on this question with good results. A great improvement was noticeable in the eastern districts. The executive considered a great opportunity has been lost in not giving control of all lands to county councils. Thanks are extended to the Railway Department and the Department of Lands for their co-operation, to the secretary, Mr. H. A, Hunt, the president and secretary of the North Taranaki executive and to the Press.