RAILAGE ON GRAIN SACKS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 744, 17 February 1910, Page 8

RAILAGE ON GRAIN SACKS.

THE '200LB. REGULATION.

Christchurch, February 1C . , Cases which recently: cumo. before the Magistrate's Court at uamaru, when fariiiws.were heavily fired tor breaches ot the 2001b. grain suck regulation, wero referred to at. a meeting of the executive of the North Canterbury- Farmers' Union to-day. .'-■'...•.- Mr. W. Lill said that in two cases the Orovernmeiit had practically taken one-' third of the wheat from the "la'rmors Heavy;fines had been imposed because in ono case the margin, was 31b., and in the other. 1-jlb.-over weight. I'armers should insist on thero being a fair margin, - as thoie was in wool. He moved that the tsecutive protest against .the penalties ;inllicted,' and that a margin of not less' than 31b. be.allowed; also that a deputation bo appointed to interview the Minister, for Kailways on the subject. It v.-as an absolute impossibility to weigh to a pound in paddocks, r- - -. ■' ; .. The hiohoii was.seconded'by Mr. Evans;who stated that the Minister for Railways had promised to allow a 3(b. margin It was an impossibility to ■'weigh, sacks 'accurately, and the Minister had agreed that 31b. was a fair -margin. Mr. Howvjn' said that the Lejislah-rp never. anticipated such a wriall margin. If.a margin were now fixed there shouldbo a refund of fines. The 2001b. regulation would be -much more difficult to observe as far as potatoes wore Concerned. Mr. Evans said that as potatoes .we're not cereals tho regulation would not ai>Sty to. them." This was what he had'uuerstood from- the Minister.

Mr. Leadley was of opinion that it was to.'.th'b interests of the farmors to get ns near to the exact weight ns possible, but it was impossible' to weigh accurately in the field. Tho Minister,hud' recognise! this, , and; the.regulation was to deaf with grjiin, pulse, and seeds. It was not intended to apply to potatoes. \ . Mr." Wilfred-Hall 1 said that the' fines were altogether too high, and the executive should suggest that it bo a fixed amount. . •

Mr. Loodlcy remarked that it was monstrous that.if ouo truck was overweight the farmer should be penalised; ion the whole consignment. .' The motion, with the addition proposed by Mr. Hall, was carried, and it resolved to endeavour to arrange for deputations to interview the Minister at Timarn, Ashburton, and Christchurch on the sulijeot. ' • ' ''■ ; '

Paiaka, the well-known llax and dairy property of 347 acres freehold and 160 acres leasehold, some of the richest land on the Manawatu, with flax cutablo this year, will bo sold at auction by. Dalgety and Co.,'at: Palmerston North on Saturday, 26th February. The termj may bo Kraoaed.—Advt. . ,