WHAT WHAKATAKI WANTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1792, 3 July 1913, Page 4

WHAT WHAKATAKI WANTS.

FAEMEBS' UNION BEANCH SUM-. MARY. Mr. R. J. Barton. secretary of the Whakatald branch of the Farmers' Union. sends ,th? followinjr summary of the views of his branch on The Dominion's questions:— Sir.—ln dealimr ftenerally with the series of questions under review, we are faced with tho feeling that in our sparselysettled district, under certain grades of distinction, we may not be as much entitled to relief from inconveniences that would give cause for complaint in a more lavpely settled locality. A depth of two inches of mud upon Lnmbton Quay would 1 he more appalline to the average citizen from a community-vain© measure, than two feet of rand in a Temoter or backcountry district. Thus, before the rural dn-flt<\r mav feel that he can justifiably claim that he is entitled to have some defect redressed, he must, weigh his ratio of imfartanoe. and the prospect of alleviation, in a mental balance. The eIMS or sdncation, ifa effect jwon tfip

arrangements and facilities, tho means of transport, the freight charges, etc,, will . fall within the same Tatio, and when the unwritten rule is bearing inequitably, then .may he lift up his voice, and may the reward bo as his meed. We must express our appreciation of the opportunity afforded us; we should be indeed careless of our duties as "pioneers of tho out-back" and primary producers, if, : ' now the chance is available, wo failed to respectfully draw the'attention, of those : who havo the means of giving assistance, and who must ultimately reap the rewards i of our consequently increased productivity. ' ■ i ; ; The area covered by. the Whakataki branch, and which.is thus under Teview, stretches from about the mouth of the Whareama River to the mouth of .the Akitio, thirty miles long, by from eight to ten in width. The land might.be termed first-class grazing, viz.,; the, breeding and raising of stock, wool-growing, and .a certain amount of fattening. Tho nearest railway is nearly fifty miles away, consequently the loss and depreciation through driving to market is unduly heavy. The Masts-rton-Waipukurau railway wouldlciiit off about ti»enty-five.'miles of. this. It is an adopted maxim of older countries that agriculture deprived of roads ana railways cannot succeed. Herein lies the key for. the unlocking of this district's potenti- , ajities. Much of the land along the local streams and rivers' is eminently suitable for agriculture, laden as ■ the soil is with the; humus of bygone forests. Until. satisfactory access to markets is provided, we cannot expect to reap.the benefits,in toto, provided by agricultural societies, experimental faTms, and Government Departments. Undoubted existence of mineral gases and many outcrops of an oily shale, or brown lignite, are within this district; little prospecting lias been done, and it • might prove profitable if an. official of the Geological Department were to inspect all likely - outcrops; Members of this board would gladly lend any assistance possible. For brevity, may we answer your questions, seriatim: ' 1. The necessary preliminaries ,of education for rural life outside the thTee "R's" may be stressed in the following:— Obedience, .acute perception, and regard for animals. We have every satisfaction at tho success of those who have been taught i an<l j have grown up in this district,. I 2 and 3 are already covered. 4. Postal facilities have retrogressed; whereas in former years a weekly servioe was carried out between Whakataki and Aohanga, this has been done away with, although the population..between the two offices has trebled itself. Tho connection is particularly needed. Telephone conditions are covered by private lines, Aohanga should be conaeoted ' with Tenui, as waa the case some years ago; this time through Pakowai district, in order that the Crown tenants and others may connect up for a through service. In case of illness, many of them are twenty, miles, and more, away from a doctor^ 5. llore attention should be paid by local .farmers to the horticultural phase of agricultural'shows. Education is re- ; quired in the kitchen garden., and its, possibilities. _ .* . 7. Every opportunity - exists within this union "for 'the farmer to protect himself; unfortunately it is not his nature to join in associations; believing in individual effort, he has a strong'partiality for paddling his own canoe; Knowing that he has to carry bis share of the unproductive population upon his shoulders, ho is, not over particular how he carries themj and'would as soon pay his 'share in commissions as in taxation. 8. Undoubtedly yes, judging by i local expenditure. 1 . _ , 9. Itinerant labour is in good supply on routes, the sheep stations. Farming- districts are carefully avoided, this class of man is very migratory and independent. 10. There should be no cause for complaiut. A question of this kind lies between master and servant. • 11. First and foremost, decently-graded roads.- The gradients between Masterton and Whakataki should bo brought Up to Government standard. Crown tenants should be given access to their holdings, and unconnected portions of tho district reading scheme should b9 completed. We also require a regular coastal service, and would respectfully suggest that a wharf should be erected at Castlepoint. to which coastal 6teamers could tio and unload in safety and expeditiously.