FARMERS’ UNION.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18027, 23 May 1930, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION.

YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS. attitude to petrol tax. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. (By Telegrapn.—Press Association.) WHANGAREI, Thursday. The prinipal business at the Provincial Farmers’ Union conference yesterday was a discussion on a remit that the conference supports the proposal to increase the petrol tax sufficiently to enable the exemption of agricultural and pastoral lands from rates. Ultimately it was decided to insert the word “ road ” before rates, and in this form the remit was unanimously adopted. Last night a Land Settlement Development . League deputation addressed the public, including large numbers of delegates to the Farmers’ Conference. A long and interesting discussion took place, and it was generally agreed that the Farmers’ Union and the Settlement League are working for the same good. Delegates expressed the opinion that advances to settlers and rural advances should be amalgamated under a board to be responsible to the Minister of Finance, and that moneys to be loaned by this organisation should be strictly restricted to rural securities. It was considered that the finance for the schemes should be arranged by means of overseas loans and by the sale of bonds and debentures and that advances should be made to settlers at rates sufficient to cover actual costs and contingenies but not great enough to provide a profit. It was urged that rural credit bonds should be offered for sale in small denominations, such as five pounds. It was also decided to request the Government to make Bank of England notes legal tender in New Zealand. Another remit which was adopted was that the proportion of State advances on urban and suburban security should be brought down to the same level as advances against rural security. The Dairy Board. Conference passed a remit requesting the elimination of the Government and trade representatives from the Dairy Board on the ground that the Government had no special interests to conserve, while the present method of election adequately safeguarded proprietary interests. The marketing of wool was considered and it was decided to urge the establishment of a wool realisation board as a necessity and to ask that it should be set up before the next sale season. Conference supported the scheme advocated by Mr. W. J. Poison, Dominion president, providing for a grant for advances against wool held in store. It was decided to press for a reduction in the membership of the Legislative Council to 20 members, all of whom should be elected instead of appointed. Conference expressed its dissatisfaction with the rural representation of one-fifth on the Transport Advisory Board and further considered that the Railway Department should be directly represented. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr. A. A. Ross; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. H. M. Rushworth and R. H. Feisst; executive committee, Messrs 11. E. Annett, H. Barter, W. Boyd, C. E. S. Gane, J. B. Jordan, H. 0, Mellsop, A. McConaughy and E. L. Walker; delegates to Dominion conference, Messrs. W., H. Allen, H. E. Annett, H. Barter, W. Boyd, W. H. Chetham, R. H. Feisst, C. E. S. Gane, A.,F. Giles, J. W. Jones, 11. 0. Hellsop and A. E. Robinson; treasurer, Mr. F, Colbeck. Messrs. A. N. McKay and C. E. Munro were elected life members of the provincial union.