CLUTHA FARMERS’ UNION

Evening Star, Issue 20133, 25 March 1929, Page 7

CLUTHA FARMERS’ UNION

[From Our Correspondent.] BALCLUTHA, March 25. The Clntha branch of tho. Now Zealand Farmers’ Union mot in the County Hall, Balelntha, on Saturday night, Mr- H. C. Holgato presiding over a good attendance. \R. B. Tennent, Department of Agriculture, wrote regarding the sugar beet trials conducted under tho auspices of the Farmers’ Union, stating that it was understood that the union, in conjunction with Mr Alex. Reid, late of Clifton, was donating prizes and recommending that two be awarded, the first to go to Mr W. Stiven (Parctai) and the second to the successors of the late Adam Bel! (Stirling).—ln reply to a question, the Secretary stated that though Mr Reid had offered prizes the union had no information regarding them.—lt was decided to advise Mr Tennent accordingly, and to state, further, that from the reports submitted it appeared that an error had been made m the awards recommended. Tho Minister of Agriculture advised, in reply to tho union’s representations, that tho importation of all stocksubject to foot-and-mouth disease had been prohibited; that the importation of hay. straw, or chaff from Knrope for packing was also prohibited; and that it was considered that Angora and Chinchilla rabbits need not he regarded seriously as carriers of the disease. The Secretary, Dunedin Stock Agents’ Association, advised that the association was committed to a further extension of tho agreement with the Balelntha Borough Council regarding the use of the borough sale.vards, and that it was acknowledged that Friday was the best day for the sale.—The Chairman said the council was to ho congratulated on the extensions and other improvements canned out at the .yards, which now provided very much better facilities for dealing with tho stock. Mr H. H. Sterling, general manager of railways, replied regarding the union’s representations on the shortage of sheep trucks, that during the few weeks covering the pejdi of the fat lamb season the use of a certain number of “L ” and “ LA ” wagons could not bo obviated. Additional sheep wagons were, however, being constructed. —It was decided to again write pointing out the necessity for a large increase in the number of sheep trucks, and stressing the inconvenience and loss suffered by farmers at the present time through inability to secure trucks when required. The Chairman referred to tho fanners’ excursion to the North Island, and urged all who intended to go to make early application.—lt was stated by Dir Christie that it was now- proposed to extend tho tour to Whangarei, instead of staying the week-end in Auckland. Mi’ W, S. Thomson suggested that an effort be made to get the ’laranaki farmers out to Balelntha lor a day during their visit to Dunedin, and he offered to donate £5 towards a fund for entertaining them.—The suggestion was heartily approved, and it was decided to communicate with tho Provincial Council regarding the matter. Messrs Holgate and Wood reported on their interview with the Railway Department officials in regard to the provision ol sleeping accommodation in second class carriages, and stated that the department was now endeavouring to build a sleeping car that could be used as an ordinary second class carriage during the day. A general discussion took place on the merits and demerits of the halfhour of daylight saying. Opinion was divided, and a motion that the union approve of a half-hour only was defeated, the majority deciding in favour of an amendment that from the point ’of view of farmers any alteration of the clock whatsoever should be opposed.