DOMINION ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 June 1924, Page 4

DOMINION ITEMS.

BY TELECUAMI—I’KESS ASSN.j COPYRIOIIT.

AGRICULTURAL , BANKS. DUNEDIN, Juno 3.

In the course of an address at the annual conference of.the Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand 1 Fanners' Union the president, .Mr T. 11. Manley, said tho union hoped to get legislation providing for an agricultural hank put through this year. He was sure no one carrying on farming operations could afford to pay tho high rates of-interest ruling at present. The Prime Minister, Mr -Massey, lat-r visited the conference and, speakon the subject of an agrieultuni hank, pointed out that since August C 7 000.000 had heeit lent to 8000 people. How many agricultural hanks, he said, would it take to do that? This year there would he at Im.-t C 3 000,000 for re-lending at the lowest rate; loans would he at the rate of C 12.10.000 a month. Del them go on with their agricultural hank and they could have it. He was asked to lend

Cloo.ooo free of interest, taxation and stamp duty. Where was the security lTlure must he some security and he would he wrong if lie did not ask Tor it. He was quite prepared to give legislation, hut they must give him senile security. .People generally put their names to a houd. hut he had not seen half a dozen farmers prepared to do that.

COUNTRY PARTY. DUNEDIN, .June J

At the annual conference of the Otago Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to-day a remit from the Clinton hranch was submitted as follows:—“Recognising that some action in the political held is necessary this conference adheres to the principles of a country bloc drawn from 9dl parties, and is strongly opposed to the formation of a distinct country party.” The matter was referred to the branches for discussion and their opinions.

"I R A AIWA A' REGUI.ATKINS. AY ELLINGTON, .May HO. At the Tramway Conference the lion. .). Harr, of the Christchurch Tramways Hoard, urged that there was no sound reason why the Government regulations should he eulorcod on local bodies. ’lhe results obtained would not fulfil the regulations, as even the present regulations were not carried out, and, with human factors, accidents were hound to happen, j Centralised regulations could not he made to apply to localities with diflcrent requirements. The tramway systems could not he hound by hard and last rules, while science continually advanced. Perhaps the whole system of rail cars would have to he scrapped. The improvement to roads under the Main Highways Hill would bring in the motor ’lnis to a greater extent, ■competing with trams, as they alroadt did with trains. The conference continued the discussion until (>.ll p.m.. when the Minister said it seemed that the host thing (o do was to apply the regulations to each city it: turn. Mr Harr had raised the point of varying conditions, and lie agreed that a centralised set ol conditions could not he applied to all c-.es with equity. Changes in transport methods must lie considered. Ihe Act had brought about some improveJ incuts in conditions already, and that was an indication of what would he done if the companies did not run the tramways in the interests ot the public. The sittings of the Tramways ( oiifereiiee were concluded to-day. IUo conference sal in committee all day. the Hon .1. f>. "Coates, Minister ol Public W orks, being present. 'I he report of the conference will now lie formulated and submitted to the Minister lor consideration by him and his Departmental oll'iccr-.

A LLOAYANCK INCHEASED.

AI'CK I.ANI). June 2,

•'( liarity begins at home.” remarked .Mr Just ice St ri tijjcor at tin* Supreme lon it, mi lifsiri n<4 an elderly widow's :i]>]ili(-:iti<;n for an increased allowance l'rc:n her husband's estate, tile «ninting of wliit-li involved tile reduction el' a portion bequeathed to certain charitable institutions. nieces, and nephews. The applicant was -Mrs Kllen Clara iiurro.vs, til years, in poor health. As a life-renlcr of the estate, she was receiving 2110 per annum, and in addition had a private income of Clio per aiiniini. Applicant was married to testator, a retired farmer, in November, and he died tn December, 1222, aped 7o vears. Ill's Honour decided that applicant should pet C.'i a week clear from the estate. LIIiEBAL LEADED. .U'C'KLAND, June I. Air T. Will'ord pave an address in the Auckland Town Hall in coi'itimiation of the J.iheral-I.ahour campaign lie to re a larpe audiente who pave him a .sympathetic hearing, though there tvot'e a pood many interjections, obviously from Labour snpiinrters. His address was on the lines of his recent speech i:t Napier, dealing mainly with the need for economy, nprimt.ltmal hanks. State Bank and Settlement.

A motion ex pressing ronlldenee in the Liberal party and Air AVill'ord as leader was declared and carried amid cheers and counter cheers. Hr AY. IT. Horton presided.