FARMERS' UNION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19277, 2 April 1925, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Wanganui Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held yesterday, Mr. T. Currie presiding. MOUMAHAKI STATE FARM The Waverley branch recommended that the member for the district be asked to use his best endeavours to have the Moumahaki Experimental Farm valued at a fair and reasonable rental value and that it be balloted for by approved mon with a compulsory residential clause. The Okoia branch also intimated that they approved of the action of the Government in deciding to dispose of the farm, and establish experimental areas along the coast. The secretary stated that the matter had been referred to Mr Corrigan M.P., and he had replied supplying particulars in regard to the manner in which the property was to be disposed of. In reply to the chairman, he said that it was not defined that the experimental areas would be established this side of the Wanganui river. The areas would be along the West Coast. The member for the district in his letter pointed out that there probably would be a residential clause included in the agreement in regard to the disposal of the farm.

Mr Howie favoured the land being put up for sale to the highest and considered that by enforcing a residential clause, the right class of applicants would be obtained. It was all very well to say that .people should not pay high prices for land, but it was a hard thing for anyone to control the actions of others. Neither the Government nor anyone else could control fools, and, if people wanted to pay high prices for land, it was no concern of anyone else.

Mr CJ Smith soid that the residential clause would get over all the trouble that was likely to arise. Mr Howie: That would prevent adjoining farmers competing. A member: Not if they go and live there. It was decided to approve of the position as set out in Mr Corrigan’s letter. HEAVY TRAFFIC REGULATIONS The Brunswick branch wrote asking that the executive look into the matter of heavy traffic license fees as relating to 5-seater cars plying for hire. The branch had been informed that such cars did not come under the definition of heavy traffic, and therefore, heavy traffic fees were not chargeable against them. If this information was correct, the position would seem to be most unfair and the branch would recommend that the executive take steps to have the matter rectified. The secretary (Mr. D. G. Strachan) reported that he had looked into the regulations governing the issue of heavy traffic licenses and found that a motor vehicle used for hire or commercial purposes, which with its maximum load exceeded two tons in weight, was deemed to come under the heavy traffic regulations. Whether any vehicles should come under the regulations or not, was not determined by its seating capacity at all, but upon its weight. The fee chargeable against any vehicle under the regulations might, however, be decided upon either by weight or upon seating capacity. Fees payable on lorries w’ill naturally be determined upon weight, and fees payable on cars would be determined upon seating capacity. A reply to the Brunswick query might be given as follows: A five-seater taxi weighing (with load) not more than 24 tons would pay a fee of £l2 less 15 per cent, for pneumatic tyres. A privately-owned car was apparently not liable under the regulations for heavy traffic fees. It was resolved to approve of the report, and forward it on to the Brunswick branch for their information. Visit to Flock House.—The Okoia branch wrote suggesting a visit to Flock House estate, where the sons of British seamen —either killed or maimed in the war—were undergoing instruction in farming. The secretary was instructed to organise a visit to the estate at an early date. Shooting.—The secretary reported that the Dominion Shoot would take place on Saturday next, while the local shoot would be held on April 18. Auctioneers ’ Commissions. — The Wangaehu Branch forwarded a remit in regard to the high rates of commission that the auctioneers charged on wool and skins and other farm produce. A member: We all agree that they are pretty high! It was decided to forward the remit to the provincial conference.