FARMERS’ UNION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 97, 27 April 1933, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION

WANGANUI EXECUTIVE REMITS FOR CONFERENCE WELCOME TO RAETIHI BRANCH The monthly meeting of the Wanganui executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held yesterday morning, Air. T. Currie presiding. There wore also present: Alessrs. AV. Morrison, AV. Howie, Rogers, Aiken, Howard, D. McGregor, J. Allison, J. IL Franklin, C. H. AValker, A. P. Melville, R Campion, F. H. Allen, O. Hawken, G. McGregor, C. Richardson, J. Aletcalfe, L. Blair, A. N. McLean, P. Laird, Leach. Air. R. E. Jack, of the Raetihi branch, was welcomed. The Raetihi branch has been transferred from AVellington to Wanganui. It was decided to visit Raetihi on Alay 27. It was reported that the Provincial Conference is to he held at Alasterton »n Afay 30 and 31. Five remits wore received from the Fordoil branch. It was decided to support the suggestion that the Government be requested to reduce Substantially the rentals on rural telephone lines. Two remits dealing with transport regulations and with rural mail carriers were referred to the Transport Committee. Support was ilso given to the remit suggesting that the Government bo set up a committee to investigate currency reforms. The remit reading: “That a Parlia mentary committee be set up to investigate tho wmrking of the various control bodies now operating in the Dominion and an endeavour made to amalgamate the whole under a New Zealand Shipping and Marketing Board, whereby it is believed that considerable saving might be made, overlapping avoided and overhead costs reduced to a minimum and that coordinated efforts be made to seek fresh markets for our primary products,” was also passed. Mr. Afelville was of the opinion that costs would be reduced without impairing efficiency in any way if an amalgamation were made. If all the bodies united, more weight would be attached to any request made than a request from any single board. Regarding fresh markets, ho said the saturation point had been reached at Home. Australia had sent a delegation to the Far East and New Zea land would have to do the same thing. Imports to Hongkong totalled £39.000.000 a year, of which amount £3,500,000 wont from Australia and £17.000 from New Zealand. Air. Currie said tuat both matters had already been discussed at a conference. Ho considered the executive would do no harm in passing the remit. The meeting approved. Other remits passed for consideration by the Provincial Conference were as follows: From Alakirikiri: That the Government be asked to promote State lotteries for the purpose of providing additional revenue for hospital and charitable aid boards. And: That the Farmers’ Union see that the co-operation of all organisations throughout New Zealand to support the recommendation of the Economy Commission that the number of members in the House of Representatives be reduced. Air. G. AlcGrcgor’s motion: That the Dominion Executive be asked to inquire into the freezing and export charges with a view to reducing substantially the costs, was also passed. From Brunswick: That in view of the serious menace to dairy farmers by the spread of ragwort, the Government bo urged to take immediate steps to have all unoccupied lands cleared of the weed. That the attention of the county councils bo called to the necessity of seeing that land owners keep their road fringes free from weeds such as blackberry, ragwort, hemlock and sweet briar. That where unoccupied native and Crown lands arc being infested with ragwort and other noxious weeds, such lands be given rent free for a term of years to anyone who will undertake to keep the land free from such weeds.