N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17169, 3 August 1927, Page 9

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

TE AWAMUTU branch, THE MONTHLY R3EETIHQThe monthly meeting was! held on Saturday at the Farmers’ Institute The executive members for Whanrpuhunga and Korahonul districts Intimated that they considered It in the best interests bi' their respective districts to throw in their lot with lo Awamutu and lihyo one big branch. _ information re the a nil cow drivo was received, and the special committee set tip to deal therewith doomed that as there were only a foW cattle ottering, and prices at local sales bad Improved, It would bo better to defer further action until November, and then have drived every two or three months. The branch decided to support the Union In its' request to the Government to introduce legislation providing for n gradual reduction in the protective tariff now levied orf British goods, and to approve of the action taken against the Introduction of the Daylight Saving Bill, which Wad considered detrimental to farmers' Interests. It Was decided lo' approach Mr Dayus, the Government veterinary oflloer, with a suggestion that the branch arrange for ft further lecture ou veterinary work.

It wad further deckled to arrango for lectured on pasture management and manuring by oUlcers of the Agricultural Department. The AVorkero’ Educational Association's offer to give three lectures In To Awamutu was accepted, the subject preferred being "Economics! Political and Agricultural.'’ Mr 11. G. Frost temlcrod/his resignation uo delegate to the Sub-Provincial Executive.

In accepting same the meeting expressed Us regret, and also sympathy with Mr Frost on the circumstances which had rendered Ills action necessary. Mr Hanna agreed lo act as delegate. The question of roadlng was dealt, with briefly. The merit of the petrol lax as a moans of Improving the main highways was warmly advocated, members stating that they had not heard a plausible argument against it, and suggested that the most equitable method of collecting same was per medium of the Highways Board taking over the whole, of the Dominion’s highways and using the money for maintaining and improving same. It was held that this would enable country rates to be used for feeder roads and by-roads, to which it'would perhaps be advantageous to’apply the scheme of county roads, whereby the main feeder roads would he maintained out of general rates and by-roads only be a charge on riding funds. This system was stated to obtain in some counties .to-day. y The method of repairing metal roads by dumping loose metal on worn places was criticised and described as useless and ineffectual, giving little improvement and incurring a big maintenance expense wthout compensating service. The life of a tar-sealed road was quoted as from five lo seven years, with practically no maintenance cost for that period, and it was thought ratepayers would do well to consider whether it would not he an economical proposition to have ail metal roads tar- I scaled.

Further discussion was deferred to the next meeting.