N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1368, 20 February 1912, Page 8

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

THE TAB ANA 1C I EXECUTIVE.

At the last meeting of the Tarannki Executive of the Farmers' Vnion a letter was received from the Dominion Executive, saying that the resolution submitted to Mid last conference asking manufacturers to add a distinguishing mark on grain sacks, showing thn dift'orent sizes, had been referred to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, which, in turn, had written to tho manufacturers in regard to the matter. The replies indicated that the marking of sacks with a figure would cost from 1(1. to 2il. per dozen, and there was a feeling that the work would not be reliably carried out by native labour. The manufacturers suggested that a batter method.would bo to adopt special stripes. The President,' Mr. J. , W. Jones, believed that if the stripes system were adopted, it would meet the case. It would be only a matter of .time ljofore tho people were educated up to the new proposal. On the motion of Messrs. Davidson and Swindlehurst, it was resolved that the suggestion of the manufacturers in reference to the use of stripes for marking the various sizes of grain sacks, be approved. The Aucklcml Executive forwarded a letter it had received from tho Minister for Railways in reply to a request for the removal of the existing preferential railway freights. The Auckland Execu ; five's secretary said the effort to have this unjust method of further penalising the settlers, who had to use the railways, removed, had been taken up by all the branches of the province, and tho branches desired the co-operation of the Taranaki Executive in having the matter brought forcibly before Parliament.

The Minister's reply was as follows:— "With a view to assisting the development of the country and helping to establish local industries to provide employment for the artisans and other classes of skilled and unskilled" labour, the Government many years ago adopted the policy of charging New Zealand natural products and articles locally manufactured at a lower rate than the imported articles. That this course is wise is shown by the extent of the local industries to-day, and the general condition of tin; people of the Dominion. It is not considered that the circumstances are such as t'i warrant any departure from a policy that has proved so beneficial' in the past,, or'that the adoption of the suggestion ,of .yoiir union would commend itself to the general community, and T regret that, after giving tbe matter full consideration, I cannot see my way to .lpalce an alteration in the existing tariff charges." . '

The letter caused a general discussion, in which it was evident that the feelin? of the meeting was strongly in favour -of the revision of the railway tariff regulations, as being necessary to the interests of the farnidrs.

Mr; Marfcll moved: "That this executive is in sympathy with the Auckland Executive in" considering a revision of the railway tariff is necessary in the interests of the" on tin try settler?, and would urge on the member; of Parliament for Tiirannkj to move in this direction at the earliest possible moment." The motion, which was seconded by Mx. Virgin, was carried.