FARMERS’ UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 17 April 1928, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION

WEST COAST EXECUTIVE. GREniOUTH. April 14. A meeting of the Provincial Executive of the AA'est Coast branch of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union was h*ld this morning. Present: -Messrs J. Alulcare (President:. AY. O’Neill (Vice-President t. A\'. Fisher (Nelson Creek), 11. G. Carter (Kamaka). R. Jellie i A rah ura', I). Shannahan and A. Aluir (Grey). McKay ( I lari I lari). The President stated that Mr AY. Tregurtha, Assistant Railway Irafiic Manager for the district, had come to the meeting to discuss the question of through stock trains trom Ross lor Christchurch. It appeared that the South AVestlaml farmers were not availing themselves ol the stock trains. Mr Jellie thought Lite South AA cstland farmers did not appreciate the position. His idea was that the stock should he brought up to the railway paddock at Ross in time for loading on Monday to connect with Tuesday’s freight train from Hokitika. This would permit the arrival ol the stock at Addington in good condition. I into was important, as the stock, especially pigs, went off in condition il kept too long on the train. Mr Tregurtha said the arrangement regarding the stock trains from Ross, was Dial whore six or more trucks were offering. arrangement, would hr made to run a special train I rum. 110 kitika to bring the stock in to connect with Lite freight train usually leaving Hokitika at 11.15 a.tit. on a Tuesday, hut would be delayed till 2.30 p.m. Air O’Neill said the arrangement was most reasonable. Apparently the farmers ol South AVestlaml were not aware of the arrangement. The President thought the Executive m;is partly to blame :n not having fully made the position clear. lie thought if the farmers were made fully cognisant of the arrangement they would avail themselves of the facilities The Executive would undertake to advise the AA'cstland farmers on the ques-

Carter thought it too late to bother for this year, as the season was nearly over. It would he well to get the arrangement confirmed for next year, and this was agreed to. It was resolved that Messrs Carter and Baillie interview Mr I regurtha further on the matter. A 11A I! 111 Alt I COMPLAINT. The President stated that the special object of the meeting was to consider a letter from the ilarihari branch, which was as followsA'ou might remember something about an Education Endowment Block of 2700 acres, at present leased to Ferguson Bros. Our brunch has been working to have this land thrown open for ballot. Alter various representations had been made to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, he had the land surveyed. He stated that he had recommended that it he resumed at (he end of the term. Alter further enquiries, the Commissioner said lie would let us know if anything lurther was taking place. It transpires that the Commissioner did not favour cutting up the bloek. and that l-ergttsou Bros, had been offered a renewal without the Land Board having eonettrred in it. In reply to my enquiry, the ('ommissioner stated that il the ( hairman of the hrniieh supplied him with the accredited permission of the leesees he would ad vise the present position. It was evident that from the tone n! the Commissioner's letter that the branch was "up against something too big for it lo handle, and il was derided to ask the Provitrial Executive to take the matter up. There til': suitable men m the district looking I u land. AA lien the block was leased sons 2t) years age, it was realised that r mistake had been made, and to lease again to the sumo people s;o large an area is only perpetuating; that mistak--. The matter'is sttliii icntly important l v. a i rant, special < -nsidet ation hy Lite Executive, firstly, from a district point of \ lew. in its hearing nit the local Inctnrv, secondly, I rum the 1-armets Union standpoint. It has been suggested that theft- are those about who have sullirient power to prevent a baljot being taken tor the laud it it uas put up for open competition.’

•Mr .J. -T. McKay, President of the Harihari branch, stated that the land would carry at least lour or live families; it was mixed quality land ninny the hank of the Little Wanganui. A road of a little over half a mile would briny it into touch with Harihnri. He understood a present Government ollicial was desirous of secuiiny the land in one black. The upset price of the land would lie such that there would yood competition for the sections. The President said he was surprised to find the Land Bon d had not been consulted. There was a meetiny next week and a motion from the Kxecutive could he sent down for it. After discussion. Mr Muir moved and Mr Caller seconded that a letter he sent to the Land Board askiny if it was intended to renew Keryuson Bros, lease and to advise the Board, that it it was so intended, the Kxecutive intended t refer the question to the Dominion Kxecutive and request that a subdivision ol land he made and the* land he thrown open for selection. It no essary the matter would he referred lithe Kxecutive to the Prime Miuistei and Minister of Lands.—Carried. Mr O’Xeill moved and Mr l'isher seconded that Mr Mulenre represen the matter to the Dominion Executive at the fortheomiuy conference, and

wait oil the Prime Minister and Minister of Lands in company with Mr Poison, Dominion President.—Carried.