FARMERS’ UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1932, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION

QUARTERLY. MEETING. The quarterly meeting of the West Coast and Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held at Greymouth yesterday. Present: —Messrs D. Shannahan (President), W. T. Begg, J. Mulcare, T. P. O’Neil, D. Jelly, H. G. Carter, J. J. McKay, A. Dalziell, ! andwthe Secretary, Mr F. W. Baime. ! Messrs 0. • Cock and W. Ritchie, Koitfcr'angi, forwarded their resigna-tions-as members of the Union. LA FONTAINE. SWAMP. * The Minister of Lands advised that, following a report from the Department, it appeared that the expenditure of further money on the development of £a Fontaine Swamp would be unwarranted. Having regard to this fact, it seemed inexpedient jto dispose of the area under any permanent tenure and action was therefore being taken to grant temporary grazing permits only. . The Commissioner of Crown Lands, • Mr i-T..’ Cagney, wrote with reference to La '•Fontaine Swamp. He stated tfcat anyffurther draining could only be regarded as experimental work of a very ( problematical nature which was not justified by past results. He regretted therefore, he could not see his way clear to re-open the matter with the Head Office, I

Mr J. O’Brien, M. 8., wrote stating ho had received advice from the Minister of Lands to the effect that it was intended now to lease the La Fontaine Swamp area , with a permanent title.. The Minister had stated that only temporary grazing rights would be granted over it. He was again writing to the Minister suggesting that unemployed be given relief work to get the grass there is in the Swamp so that it may dry up. He would also point out that many settlers could earn their living if this were cleared up. The Secretary said that as the result of further representations, the Commissioner of Crown Lands had replied that the Jmnd Board representatives would probably inspect La Fontaine Swamp following which their suggestion may be considered and the question of having unemployed work c|jtried out on the Swamp would then discussed. vjt was decided that, it having been lurried that one Westland Land Board itrended visiting the La Fontaine Sivnmp, the Board be asked if they ■wij'uld meet, and discuss the matter Ts|h the Harihari branch, and also xM\i the President of the Provincial Executive. 1" REMITS-

||Tie following remits were forwarded faf consideration, and were adopted: ferey Valiev Branch: (1) That the muds “any Government official” he substituted for the .word • “Postmaain connection with night-droving pij&mits, cont '.ined in Stock Amend* Act, 1820. N.B.': This is deemej§ necessary, as in almost all cases of driving stock after nightfall the • stock hi’g arrived by rail, and the railway official on duty should be fully aware ofp-the circumstances of each case. %gahere Branch:, (1) That the Grey County Council be asked to help the works at'Red Jack Creek with relief workers. That the Highways Board be' again urged to proceed with the stop protection work at Callaghan’s CStfeek a Matai Road. f(3) That in view of th« decision ot the Government to continue assistance to the fertiliser industry it be urged sgpne form of help be given as to cheaper lime. ■ Harihari Branch: (1) That owing th; difficult times the Provincial Executive be asked to cause the annual subscription of members to be reduced tcUlss. M (2) That the authorities he urged not to increa e heavy traffic licenses where the traffic feeds the railway, such as that on the Main South Road. Mr McKay said that in the locality preferred to/ the motor lorries were Ceding the railways. (3) That move publicity he given to the activities of the branches of the Farmers’ Union bv publishing approved reports of meetings. (41 That the Executive he requested to urge the Minister of Lands to adopt more sympathetic treatment towards Crown tenants, with regard to providing acces". to their lease, than has been done in the past.

Mr McKay said in his district they had ..been tip against it. Petersen’s Road was a particular instance and the people iiier? lacked access. They should have access. The Minister of Lands had been appealed to, but he had replied that it was a matter foi the’ Public Works Department. As it now stood there wo- no access: and thi.4; there should be. It was considered Shetland Board should stojj|j|y os thefChWn tenant, and provide %be«s. The tchants could not go on the road. The' WestlanilfCnunty Councibgiad forbidden peopW, to use the road, and people further up the valley had to go round .the property of the man concerned. 1 In this-instance access was blocked through one man with influence,, who had held lip the road for ten yen rs.-'.. Mr; O’Neil suggested the ratepayers affected should stop payina their rates. Mr Muh ,n ro said that.;.,thQse affected would- lie further penalised by the 10 per. cent, imposition oin unpaid rates. The . remit -was approved and it was also’ resolved tW the two particular instances, one at Petersen’s Hoad, Harihari, and one on the Education reserve referred to by Mr McKay, ho included in the letter to the Minister of Lands.