RURAL INTERESTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 869, 15 July 1910, Page 2

RURAL INTERESTS.

CONFERENCE ENDED. FARMERS AND THE RAILWAYS. THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ROADS Tho Dominion Conference of the Farmers' Union concluded its sittings yesterday, Mr. J. G. Wilson, president, in the chair. Mr. J. C. Cooper, of Tanc, a member of the Advisory Committee, Has present during- the afternoon sitting. A few delegates who had attended the previous sittings had left for their homes, RAILAGE ON TIMBER. Air. H. J. Jliddleton (Southland) moved, and Mr. N. M.'Arthur (Ot-ago) seconded:— "That imported hardwood timber should be admitted duty free, and that no differential rate should be mado in the rail carriage between New Zealand and imported timbers." It was urged in support of the motion that tho rates on hardwood, which was largely used by local bodies, were equivalent to an extra import duty paid by the country people. Major Lusk (Auckland) said there was no need to import hardwood, as puriri was obtainable in th© north of New Zealand. Mr. E. Lane (Hawke's Bay) said the New Zealand timber industry was able to stand without assistance against Oregon or any other timber. Mr. F. F. Hockly (Wanganui) spoke strongly in favour of protection of tho timber industry against tho importation of Oregon ptiic. • _ . Mr. Jones (Tarannki) pointed out that hardwood was u, particularly heitvy timber. 'l'lio president said that hardwood was no heavier than green New Zealand timber, yet the sawmillers got no freight, concession for drying the timber. The motion was carried. OTHER RAILWAY MATTERS. Mr. O. IT. Clothier (North Canterbury) moved"That this conference strongly protests against the present unfair system of the suburban passenger rates on the railways." Tlic mover said he did not' see that the suburban people were more deserving of help than those who lived further back, and were handicapped by long distances. Passengers north of Rangiora and further north habitually got (.it at Mutt station, and booked for '/hristohurch at suburban rates. The Railway Department used to prevent passengers booked for Christchurch from getting off at Papanui, and going by tTamcat into town, but did not do so now. Mr. F. G.' Horrell (North Canterbury) said it was unfair to make the suburban lares apply only to mftin lines. Thus, if one booked from Waverley to Christchurch, the fare was 2s. 10d., whereas if one broke the journey at Kaiapoi and look a suburban ticket there, it worked out at Is. 9d, The motion was carried. The following remits were also carried :— "That the farmer as well as the merchant be supplied with a copy of th© weights of trucks of his produce, in return for the shilling per truck paid for weighing." "That the Government be urged to take such steps' as will ensure tho public safety at dangerous railway crossings; many crossings being so situated that an approaching train cannot be s?en from the roadway until within a few yards of the orossing." "That the Government be asked to compensate any person for damage caused by sparks from railway engines." "That the Minister for Railways be approached, with a view to securing a more equitable rate on special trains run in connection with country shows and. experiment farms, and that the Government be satisfied with the net cost, of. the train as their guarantee." PUBLIC WORKS VOTES. Major Lusk (Auckland) moved:—"That the attention of the conference be called to tho large discrepancy between the moneys voted by Parliament and the amounts expended. It is urged that the question of grants to Public Works .(Department of Roads und Bridges) be thoroughly gone into, and that the Minister for Public Works be approached with a view to the remodelling of the system." The' mover said that the difference between the amounts voted and those expended was amazing. For the main road through the King Country, between Auckland and Taranaki, JC3OOU was voted the year before last, but only about a milo and a t half of metalling was done. Last year the vote was .£3500, but after negotiations tho. Government only agreed to spend .£IOOO, and that a? a .£ for £ subsidy on money supplied by the County Council. An indignation meeting "was held, and the reply was sent that the council could not contribute. The Government replied that money would be spent by tho Public Works Department in the usual way. The amount snent finally was much less than was voted. Mr. A. Schmitt (Clevedon) gave several instances of difference between amount voted and amount spent. . The votes for Kawhia County last year totalled .£10,0(10, but the Government only offered ,£3OOO, and the county council declined that. The motion was carried. Major Lusk also moved:—"That when a grant for roads or bridges is voted by Parliament, it be immediately available." The president said his experience was that, as a county'council chairman, he had written to the Department the day after a vote was passed by the House, and asked how. soon the money would bo available. He had never had to wait long after that. Two delegates remarked that that was not their experience, and one exclaimed, by way of explaining the president's better success: . "You're a well-known agitator." The motion was redrafted and carried in the following form'"That tho Minister for Public Works be asked that the moneys voted by Parliament be available within a reasonable time so that, the work be carried out during the summer time." Tho conference also resolved: —"That no less than 14 feet bo the statutory width for dray road formation, and G feet for bridle tracks, under the Public Works Department, and that all roads, and especially side cuttings, be at least U feet wide, and in good repair, before being handed oyer to the local bodies, and that before the Government hands over any country road, it shall.be put in proper order." "That Sir Joseph Ward be requested to insert in his promised Land Bill Clause 51 of his Land Bill last year,- providing for the exchange of land for roads or any public purpose." ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The re-election of the president (Mr. J. G. Wilson) was proposed amid applause by Major Lusk, who spoke briefly of the excellent and unselfish work done by him for the farmers. The motion was seconded by Mr. J. Lane, and there being no other nomination, Mr. Wilson was elected and briefly returned thanks. Mr. fx. W. Leadley (Canterbury) Mas re-elected vice-president. The following were elected as the Advisory Committee:—Messrs. J. C. Cooper (Tane), D. M'Gregor, jun. (Mastert'on), IT. J. Richards (Levin), and I\ F. Hockly (Huntervillo). Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring treasurer (Mr. A. E. Russell), and tho secretary (Mr. \Y. Jack). LOCAL BODIES. The following motions were carried and referral to the Counties' Association:— "That whilst rocognisiug the advantages to be gained by the Government handing over to tho local bodies for expenditure all grants for roads and bridges, this conference considers that the condition that no expenses of engineering and supervision are to be charged against: the grants is 'unfair, and unworkable for the following reasons:—(a) That hitherto such expenses have been paid out of the grants; (b) that in most, cases tho expenditure of a grant benefits mostly a particular locality (often contributing very little in rates), and very little, if at all. tho general rateDavors. and thore-

fore would bo an unfair charge against the general rates; (<:) that in many cases such costs would be so great as to debar the local body from undertaking (he expenditure. That steps be taken to support the local bodies in endeavouring to obtain a withdrawal of the condition referred to. "That tho county councils be given power to raise money, and take land, for giving facilities for watering travelling stock; also for the purchase of machinery, such as stone-crushers, road-graders, etc., under the State Guaranteed Advances Act. "That in the election of local bodies voters bo enabled to exercise their votes by absent voters' permits. "That the dog tax should be made compulsory, and that the tax should be collected before March 31 in each year; and that local bodies' in this matter supersede Native councils or boards." PROPOSED LAND AGENCY. ltr..J. _W. Jones (Taranaki) moved:— "That this conference is of opinion that the following proposition is of sufficient importance to warrant the serious consideration of t.hb Dominion Conference, and refers it for its consideration, viz— 'That the whole of the Farmers' Union branches throughout the Dominion be formed into a systematic land and estate agency for the benefit of those who want to sell, buy, luase, or exchange property, and also to financially assist the union.' Major Lusk (Auckland), in seconding the motion, said the Auckland branches intended to do a good deal of agency work, and they expected to save farmers a considerable amount of ■ commission oif sales of produce. Mr. A. Schnutt (Auckland) gave an outline of tho Auckland scheme, which would include land agency, labour agency, supply of goods, and sale of produce on commission. They would deal with wholesale merchants, and tho scheme was considered a sound one. It was started, and the turnover was already -£250 a week, with prospects of much' more. It would be so run as to benefit the union. The motion was carried, and remitted to tho Provincial Executive. WEATHER FORECASTS. Mr. H. A. Nevins (Tenui) moved: "That the time has arrived when the Government should extend the operation of the Meteorological Office, so as to uiako it of more practical use to the agricultural and pastoral interests of thfc Dominion by a more extensive publication of tho-daily weather forecasts, and information as to the climatic conditions of es.ch province, particularly with respect to the drainage areas. The present vote is totally inadequate for tho requirements of the work, and should bo increased." The mover said he knew of stock having been moved to avoid floods that : were foretold by Mr. Bates,- and tho floods came. He had himself benefited by attending to the. forecasts, and he thought farmers needed them as much as tho shipping people. The president seconded the motion. Mr. O. I'. Clothier (North Canterbury) spoke. highly of the accuracy of Mr. Bates's forecasts. The motion was carried. NEW ZEALAND WINES. . Mr. Nevins (Tenui) moved, and Mi. Birch (Marton) seconded-: "That in view of the decision of the Chief Justice in tho case of Miller v. Lamb re sale of locally-grown wine in a prohibited district, the case be brought before the Minister for Justice with the object of getting the Act amended so as to permit snch sale of wine." The mover and other speakers pointed out that the Government had specially encouraged - winegrowing, for which some parts of NewZealand were specially suitable; also that the New Zealand wines were light and wholesome, and from a health point of view preferable to other liquors and to tea. The North Canterbury delegates (Messrs. Clothier and Horrell) opposed the motion. The motion was carried. MISCELLANEOUS. The following- motions- were carried:— . "That tho farming industry should be directly represented on harbour boards." "That in the opinion of this conference country districts should- be kept distinct frijm borough and town districts in the elections for representativc-s on the hospital boards." "That the Government be recommended to bring in legislation compelling all vehicles on public thoroughfares throughout tho Dominion to carry lights after dark." "That this conference reaffirm the necessity for tho teaching of the principles of bookkeeping, the' measuring of land and timber, to . tho boys of our primary schools, and to take active steps to create interest in the subject, and to ensure that effect is given to their recommendation." "That tho Farmers' Union strongly support the auctioneers in their endeavour to prevent the cutting up of purchases of fat sheep and lambs for freezing purposes, it being inimical to the interests of competition." "That the Government give more fav ourablo consideration to rifle clubs." "That the provisions of Part. IV of the Drainage Act be made applicable to maintenance, as well as construction, and that provision be made so that costs arising through neglect or extraordinary damage be assessed against the person causing the same; and that a clause ba added providing that all preliminary costs, including surveys, registration, fees, witnesses, and ,assess'ors be allocated by Court." ■ _ / "That it be a recommendation to the Dominion Conference, that in the interests of the Union' the appointment of a competent organiser be strongly urged, with a view to increasing membership and branches throughout the Dominion." V'That this conference congratulate the Advisory Board upon the improvement, in' size and general appearance, and circulation, of the Tanners' Union Advocate,' the union's organ." "That a suggestion bo given to tho universities of New Zealand to establish classes for, road engineering, and that the matter be brought under the notice of the Minister for Education." | "That the Government continue and extend the good work they are doing in connecting the back country with the telephone system." "That all steaming appliances used only for steaming, -and not for machinery, be exempt from boiler duty." Several remits were referred to the, provincial branches. On the motion of Major Lusk, the conference resolved"That the appointment of Civil Servants be taken out of the hands of .Ministers, and left in the hands of a Civil Service Board." Votes of thanks were passed to the president and the press.

A DEPUTATION. . |

, PROMISES BY THE PREMIER. STATE FiKE INSURANCE. The delegates of the Farmers' Unren Conference waited upon the Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), and the requests of the conference were briefly stated by Mr. J. (i. Wilson (president). The subjects dealt with (on the lines of the resolutions already reported) were: Eight of purchase tor lossves-in-perpetuity, rein- , statement of Clause 51 of last year's Land Bill (exchange of land), reform or aboli-. tion of the land-ballot system, increased representation of the amounts 011 the Crown Land Boards, reafforestation, valuation of laud, tariff and railage on timber, defence, educational matters, sheep trucks, telephones, inspection ' of stallions, a Chair of Agriculture, -the relations between the State I'iro Office and the Advances Department, through rates for produce, etc. The president also asked if the Government would .consider whether it would not be advisable to again attach Mr. Aston, Government Analyst, to the Agricultural Department; also whether the Government could establish scholarships of, say, to enable New Zealand youths to take a course of veterinary science -at Melbourne sity. lie congratulated the Prime Minister on introducing an amendment to the Crown Suits Act, and expre.'jsed the hope that the now measure would lie made retrospective. Statement by Sir J. Ward. The Prime Minister said he was very pleased to meet the delegates. Many of the subjects mentioned were matters of j policy on which legislation would be brought down, and lie could not say much about them in the meantime. One of these matters was the laud question, a problem of great diflicully which would probably not be finally settled in our time. The reinstatement of Clause 31 of last year's Land Bill was uuder con-

I sideratiun. It was proposed to submit legislation fur dealing with gauibJiny at the. land bullots. In reafforestation I lie Government was doing a good deal. It was not the easiest thing tor tho Government to hurriedly increase the expenditure by a largo amount, but ho rccogmscd that it would pay the • country to do a good deal more than it was doing. In regard to valuation of land, ho would give directions to the new Valuer-General. A valuer'should, in all cases, go to the land to enable him to make a proper valuation. The requests regarding reduction of railway rates would bo sent to tho Minister for Railways. It was surprising how, when one concession was made, others were asked. ■ iur. Defence, Ho was exceedingly glad to liavo the union's views on the defence proposals. It was most important that a. great" national question like this should bo outside politics, and tho views of Lord. Kitchener in regard to the ago limit must have immense weight with all se<> tions of the community who. valued . the ' welfare of the country. Ho shared the pleasure of tho deputation over the restoration of the nineuence to the school committees. It 'was taken off when clouds were overcast, and there was not much chance of seeing the blue sky. A great many services in the country had v had to be reduced in order to meet emergencies, but fortunately there had been, a turn of tiie tide. Provision for the restoration of the nincpeucu would ba found on the Estimates, though'in a slightly _ different form. The requests concerning sheep trucks would be sent to the Minister for Baiiways. A further extension of the telephone system would be mado in sparsely populated districts. Mr. Aston s position, had-been altered as a measure of economy and to make his ' services available for other Departments. He wunld ask the Minister for. Agriculture to look into the matter. Anything that could bo dono . for agricultural education should be dono, but rather than send veterinary students to Melbourne, they should, if possible, train them in this country. Scholarships at Melbourne for ten students would probably require .£3OOO ratherthan ,£7OO, as Wilson had suggested. The 1 proposed Chair of Agriculture was a question of expense. The amendment to the:(.'ror.'ii Suits Act,could not be made' retrospective in its application. Themoment a Government commenced to make legislation retrospective, it was astonishing l>!i>l many eases ■ would ba wrought forwaid, Fire Insurance. The representations in regard to tho State -Firu Insurance' Department would receive consideration. He did not think there had been any breach of confidence by the Departments. He was perfectly' certain that no person dealing .with the . lending department of the Government .would have his business in' any way. disclosed. The Government was placed in a difficult position. The State Fire Office was responsible for - a lowering of the rates to all classes. The Government did not_ want' to drive other offices out of business, but if the State Office were to be discontinued, the odds were 30 to one that the rates would go up. The Department had to look after itself. The other insurance offices all refused to do any reinsurance with the State Office, and would not take any reinsurances from it. The Government bad always been willing to give and take reinsurances, but the other .offices evidently did -not want the .State Office growing up alongside them. The State Tiro Office was doing a great. amount of good, and saving the people of this country a large sum yearly directly and indirectly. The Government must , not allow it to be burnt up at both ends. ' He would convey what had been said to the Minister in charge of the Fire Insurance Office, and would also see tha Superintendent of the Advances Department, to find, how far they could meet tho position of what was said i about breach of confidence. The subject of through fates by rail and sea for produce had been discussed by him with. Sir James Mills and Sir. Holdsworth, of the Union Company, and it was under_ consideration by them, and by the Bailway Department. . A good deal had already been done . towards -establishing? . through rates.' He would be very glad to see that' proper consideration was given to all the requests that had been made.