FARMING AFFAIRS

Chronicle (Levin), 12 April 1947, Page 6

FARMING AFFAIRS

w — (This column is supplied weekly by Federated Farmers of New Zealand. The infcrmation given is oftiQial but any views expressed are those of the Federation and are not necessarily those of this newspaper.) Opposition to Federation CertainVpress and radio publicity has recently been given to a restoration of the South Taranaki brancli of the New Zealand. Labour Primary Producers' Association urging the Government not to be stampecled by "the ridiculous demands of Federated Farmers' agitators which are obviously inspired by a 'desire t.o disrupt the internal economy of the whole country. ' ' That resolution f ollowed press disclosures of the support being, given by Federated Farmers 'to claims for paying the farmer an increased price to coinpensate him for extra hours of worlt on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays. As the resolution quoted is a negation of tlie demand of Federated Farmers, jt rnight appear to the public that working farmers are opposed to the claims now being made by the Dairy Industry Council and the Federation. In consequence, it is as well to "debunk" the Nejv Zealand Labour Primary Producers' Association. The South Taranaki meeting at which the resolution antagonistic to Federated Farmers was passed, was attended by less than 20 farmers, all stalwart political party adherents. That, then, is the strength of the voice of the opposition despite the publicity aecorded it. There are some three otlier branehes, of the New Zealand Labour Primary Producers Association in the North Island, all equally vociferous at times but all, because of their extremely scanty membership, equally iunocuous. Farm Tractors and Trailers I11 a recent statement to Federated Farmers," the Transport Department has cxplained the legal responsibilities of farmers in regard to the use of tractors and trailers. Some farmers have the impression that as they are exempted from payment of registration and annual license fees because tractors are used 011 farms and only to a limited degree on roads, they do not require thirdparty insurance cover. The Department makes it quite clear that such' an impression is wrong. 'Although no fees are paid for licensing the vehicles in question, third-party risks must be met to cover the vehicles while they are being used .on public roads. There is also the cost of E-plates to be met. Current annual third-party insurance rates for tractors and trailers are only 3s and 2s respeetively. It is, therefore, not an expensive matter to eomply with the law which provides a valuable safeguard against claims for personal in.juries to third parties. Undor present legislation, -farm tractors and trailers while carrying E-plates may, in addition to their use on roads between farms, also be used on roads in eonneetion with the q,wuers' own farming business for the cartage of milk or whey to or from a dairy faet.ory and for the cartage of lime or other fertiliser efc, There is a limitation of 13 miles'' travel 011 roads, i.e. fii miles each way, for such purposes. If tractors are^irsed, Qn ;.rpaI§iJ.they must also carry a ,warrant of fltness as must all trailers ;and tractors capable of speeds in excpss of 15 miles per hour. f