FARMERS’ UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1925, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION

At fli? meeting of the Provincial Farmers Cnion held at Creymoiith on Saturday a remit from the Will-aroa-Waiiio branch recommended that the Railway Department lie urged to take over and work Stuart and Chairman's tramline extending Mnitli from R oss.

Mr Xorihcrol't traced the history of the construction of the tramline, and the conditions attaching thereto. One of the conditions was that Stuart and

Chapman were to carry settlers’ goods when required. The owners of ihe line had been vei v considerate to the set-

tlers, and had fulfilled all that had lieen required of them. The progress of South Westland depended largely on the settlers getting their goods tarried at a fair rate. As things wore, the Government was hampering the settlers, and they thought the best thing to do was for the "Department to take the railway over. Mr Clayton moved that a conference he held between the Railway Department. Stuart and Chapman, and the members of the Farmers' Union, flic Department to he. represented by the Railway Kngineer and the South Island Commercial Agent, the conference to ho held after the inspection of the line. Speaking on the motion, the President said it was the duty of tire conference to help- the people of South Westland. As tilings were, there was much cause for dissatisfaction. Mr Carter endorsed nil that hail lieen said, lie thought the agreement that had been dawn up must have lieen very lax. IF- was in favour of the President's motion. Mr Mulea re thought, that, for the sake of South West land, the conference should make every effort, as far south as possible. Mr Jamies ni said it was only a matter of time when South Westland would hr t! limber garden of New Zealand, and every effort should he made to have Hint line extended. Mr Jellie supported the motion. In renly to Mr Xort herol't. ihe President stated that the motion, if carried, would have the endorsement of the. eonfcrciiec lo he forwarded on to the. Dominion Conference in Vl.--I--linglou. The matter would first he sent, on to the Minister of Railways. On the suggestion of Mr Carter. 1 lie name of a Westland County Council represent at iive was added to the motion, which, in its amended form, was carried. The remit was also adoptee], Mr Xorllieroft asked for the support of Hie conference in protesting against the reduction of the size of the stock yard at. Ross. He moved a motion to this ell'ect. and Mr Jamieson seconded. The motion was curried without discussion.