FARMERS' UNION MATTERS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1247, 2 October 1911, Page 10

FARMERS' UNION MATTERS.

SOME OF A MINISTER'S REPLIES. The Dominion secretary of tho Farmers' Union (Mr. E. C. Jack) has received the following replies from tho Minister for Railways in answer to resolutions of the recent Dominion Conference, which were sent to tho lion. J. A. Millar for his consideration. Rentals for Private Sidings. "With roferenco to tho'resolution . . . urging that the rental charecd for private sidings shon'ld bo reduced to a nominal sum, I havo ... to inform ymi that the establishment of private sidings necessitates considerable extra expenditure try tho Department,''and, in the majority of cases, the granting of tho sidings adds very considerably to the valuo of the property served. As e. matter of fact, in the busier centres the rentals are, if anything, too low, and I ran hold out no hope of the present rentals being reduced, although it is quite possible that at some of the stations flip rentals will require to be increased." Excursion Fares. . "With reference to the resolution . . . urging Wiat parties of fanners should be allowed <o travel at the same rates as friendly societies, I have ... to inform you-that this matter has been considered on many occasions, but I regret that I cannot see my way to accede to.the union's request." Imported Timber and Coal Rates, "As to the resolution . . . urging that the practice adopted bv.tho Department of charging imported goods and timber at a higher rate than Now Zealand produce should bo abolished, I havo . . . to inform you that the policy, of charging .imported goods, at. higher rates' than, for those goods produced in NewZealand has been in operation for very many years, and, after giving the matter every consideration, I regret that I cannot see my way to acccdc to tho request of your union."