N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15185, 10 March 1923, Page 8

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

SUB-PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE, The monthly meeting of the Waikato Sub-provincial Executive of tire N.Z. Farmers’ Union, held in Hamilton yesterday, was attended by Messrs J. S. Fisher (chairman), W. Roache (Whatawhata), J. Mackay (Newstead), 11. Hooper (Eureka), R. D. Duxficid (Horotiu), A. Alexander (Te Awamutu), S. jles (Mafcahura), G. CJlarlc (Taupiri), W. Simmonds (Te lvowhai), 11. Naylor (Te Rapa), S. Lye (Matangi), J. S. Bennett (Orini). A remit from Te Kowhai branch recommended that the differential rating on the railways be abolished. — The meeting decided to forward the matter to the Provincial Conference. A remit from the Newstead branch, “that the Mortgages Indemnity Act be abolished,” was referred to the Provincial Conference. It was decided to bring before the Dominion Executive the matter of sending experts round to address the various branches in the Waikato in regard to the scheme to establish agricultural banks. The Poverty Bay provincial district secretary wrote in regard to auctioneers’ rates of commission for the sale of stock, both in the yards and paddock. —The secretary was instructed to gather information from the firms concerned.

A communication was received from the Eureka branch asking that every endeavour he made to have the cream landing stage at Eureka station pushed on. —The secretary was instructed to confer with the 'Company on the subject, and also to investigate the application for a telephone to be installed at the station.

The Eureka branch recommended that steps he taken to have the necessary legislation passed which- would allow steam waggons, up to 8 tons, on the road without the necessity of a certificated driver.—To be referred to the Provincial Conference. The provincial secretary advised that the annual conference would be held in May, and all remits coming forward from "branches would require to go through the sub-provincial executive. Remits would be received up to March 26. The provincial secretary advised that it was the intention of the executive to organise the districts north of Mercer as soon as the organiser was available. , The Director-General of Agriculture (Dr C. J. Realms) advised that the officers of the Department would assist the executive in its proposal to hold field days and arrange lectures for the benefit of members. —Received, and the Director-General to be thanked. ~ The meeting discussed remits from the Ncwstead and Eureka branches, which advocated the establishment of a South Auckland provincial executive,! with headquarters ! at Hamilton. After discussing the matter it was resolved to advise that the executive did not consider the time opportune for such a movement. Dealing with the subject of land settlement, the Matangi branch favoured a land scheme which would enable farmers who had experienced reverses to remain in the country rather than be allowed to transfer to the C *Vlr Lye said that the access to blocks was the essential. Good roads and a more sympathetic finance scheme were necessary to entice settlers to the land. The ratio of population at present was 40 per cent in the country and 60 per cent in the cities, which was a disastrous state of affairs in a young country like New Zealand. iXIr Mackav said that in the old days settlers and their families were willing to walk on to their sections with their swags on their backs, but at the present, day settlers could not be asked to do that. He favoured a practical scheme being brought down whereby the land opened up should not be beyond the pale of civilisation. q'be Dominion Executive is to be as ked to bring down a definite scheme in terms of the Matangi remit.