INTERESTING POINTS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14978, 27 May 1914, Page 5

INTERESTING POINTS.

(SPECIAL TO "THE PBESS.") WANGANUI, May 26. f A matter that engaged the attention of tho Wellington Farmers' Union Conlorence this afternoon was that of a Proposed motor vehicle tax, tho Marton. Eketahuna and Waikanae branches aa /"ng forwarded the following remit: "peeing that the cost of tho upkeep of | *! main roads is so greatly increased by motor traffic, a tax bo levied on motor vehicles so that the whole cost oi keeping the roads in good repair does no t fall on the land occupier." A lengthy discussion took place, but opinions were very varied as to whether the tax should bo on the horse-nower of the eri'-ine, tha tyres, or tho petrol. .. v .? ra l ca r owners expressed their willingness to bo tnxed, but it was thought that if a tax was collected it would be very difficult to arrive at v and even distribution.- "Scorchers came in for a big .share of criticism, and. it was generally concede*,' that they woro responsible for a very larye amount of tho damage beinj; occasioned to the roads. The .dejnitv-chairman ('Mr T. Mosf) said that t'lie matter of levying and collecting of taxation could be left to the Government. The remit wa* carried. Another question that ex-oked discussion was a remit that the Government be urged to make all the most dangerous railway crossings ,-afer for all traffic. -It .was considered that the attention of County Councils .should also be drawn to tho samn matter, with a view to having tress and other obstructions of the view near ruihvay cTossin-rs removed. The chairman pointed out that while urging upon the Gcveriuneut in the manner indicated, parents -should not # neglect . their own rec-ponsibilities of instilling into the minds of their children tho necessity o/ exercising great .vigilance and a sharp look-mil! when approachin" railway crossings.- If this were done accidents at crossings, which often were the result of carelessness, would soon bo reduced to a minimum.

The waterside or casual labour at tho porfe came in for some discussion, and tho opinion was generally expressed that something should be done to improve tho conditions of that section of workers.

Mr Moss (chairninn) contended that the Government should be urged to improve the conditions of the wateraido workers at tho various ports, by giving them permanent employment and also" superannuation. lie suggested this as against a remit from Palmerstcn that tho Government bo urged 'o tako the steps necessary to limit the membership of all unions handliug or dealing with produce to bona fide workers, and that in all cases the limit of workers on the books of any such union be reduced to not more than 5 per cent, in excess of the greatest number employed on any one day in the busiest month of the year. It was contended by some of the speakers that this would be giving a decided preference to unionists, besides tending to drive undesirables into the country, and eventually the Conference adopted the recommendation of the chairman, which he had moved-as-an amendment. REMITS CONSIDERED. ', | (fress AsaocjATio:* teu'g&ah.; '-'■,- ■" ' WAXGANUI, May 26. At the Farmers' Union Conference, a Wanganui remjt, proposing that tho Government bo urged to take sole charge of the construction and maintenance of arterial roads was lost. . A proposal that tho scope of tho Local Government Bill bo such as to enable local bodies to declare the district over which to strike a rate for subsidising medical men working in outlying portions of a district was carried.. "A motion that dairy factories bo allowed to borrow money under tho rural workers' home's scheme to erect dwellings for employees was lost. ": A motion was carried that tho Government bo urged to provide freehold l»ntl for workers' homes in the back country. There was some discussion on a motion that, owing to complaint's of damage to products through the obsolete methods and machinery employed at New Zealand ports, tho Harbour Boards b© urged to remedy the state of affairs as soon as possiblo. Eventually tho mattor was referred to the uxocntive.

Motions were carriet]:—"That tho country districts should have more representation on Harbour Boards"; "That tho matter of tho shortage of trucks on the railways bo again brought under the notice of the Railway Department" : '-That the Railway Department bo asked to remove the differential rate on imported timber, and that if certain industries require protection the same should bo given by the Customs tariff only, and not on the railway freights as well." It was also resolved that tho Government be urged to make all of the most dangerous railway crossings safer for all traffic.