NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 7 November 1918, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

KAIPARA SUB-PROVINCIAL DISTRICT. A SITTING of the Executive was held in the Board room on Monday, November 4th.

Present: — Messrs Witheford (Wharehine), Steventon (Tauhoa), Hamilton (Warkworth), Gibbs (Paparoa), Ash worth (Omaha), Stallworthy (Te Kopuru), McDermott (Avoca), Childs (Tangiteroria), Trounson (Kaihu), Macfarquhar (Waimauku), and Jas. McLeod (Treasurer).

Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Messrs G. E. Thompson, E. Harding, G. McHardy, J. Morrison, A. Mason (represented by N. W.Rimmer), Marriner (represented by Walton) and G. Appleton (represented by > Williams).

In the absence of the President, (Mr E. A. Harding) Mr O. B. Snelling was voted to the chair":

Report of Selection Committee re appointment of Organising Secretary .—Mr Jas. McLeod reported that this committee had met as arranged, and had personally interviewed the seven gentlemen who had been selected, and he had now much pleasure in introducing Mr L. L. Bailey as Organising Secretary.

Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Cattle Tick Pest Conference.— Mr Jas. McLeod reported that he had attended this conference. He said the conference desired to declare the country north' of Westfield an infected country. He objected to any restriction at all, and there was no cause for alarm as the North was practically a clean country. After a general discussion it was carried on the motion of Mr Stallworthy, seconded by Mr Walton —That a request be sent to all branches, asking them to furnish the Secretary with any information re the Tick Pest.

A vote of thanks was passed to Mr McLeod for his report.

Re Future Minutes. —Proposed by Mr J. McLeod seconded by Mr Hamilton —That in future the minutes typed or printed and sent to each delegate if possible within one week of meeting —Carried *"""" unanimously.

Seedy Wool. —Mr McLeod reported that he had attended the Conference in regard to seedy wool, and stated that the matter was being dealt with by the Government. —Correspondence— To Kaipara S.S. Co., re free passes for delegates. From same, in reply, regretting they cannot accede to request. From Provincial Secretary, re repatriation scheme for returned soldiers. This matter was deferred till next meeting. From Provincial Secretary, advising that returned soldiers be members of the Union for the first year free of levy. Correspondence as read, inward received, outward approved. —Replies to Remits — No. IDargaville Branch—"That the Government be urged to make a soil survey of the Dominion." On the motion of Mr McDermott seconded by Mr Walton, it was resolved that this matter be left over for the present. Messrs Steven ton and Hamilton spoke favourably on this matter, and strongly urged that it would be in the best interests of the farnr s ers if a survey and classification of the soils could be carried out. No. 2 Warkworth Branch. — „ Supported and moved by Mr " Gibbs and seconded by Mr Trounson and carried: In terms of Avoca Branch amendment, viz.— " That where land is obtained for a soldiers' settlement the total area shall not be valued for rateable purposes at a higher price than before being cut up as a soldiers' settlement, unless a new Government valuation is made for the whole district or county." '•S^jborting branches: Kaihu, . fflPgaville, TeArai, Helensville, Omaha, Tangiteroria, Kaukapakapa, Ruawai, Warkworth. This remit to be forwarded to the Provincial Executive.

No. 3 Avoca Branch —"In view ; >.of the shortage of shipping it is desirable that the Farmers' Union should form a co-operative shipping company or as an alternative the Government should be approached to form a Stateowned fleet." On the motion of Mr Stallworthy and Mr Gibbs, it was resolved to delete the words "and managed by a board of business men." remit wasjjapproved of by Helensville, Omaha, Tangiteroria, Warkworth, Kaukapakapa, Avoca, Kaihu, Darga-

ville, Te Kopuru branches. Remit to be sent to Provincial Executive. Moved by Mr Gibbs, seconded by Mr McDermott — That Secretary write to Mr Huey asking for all information and details of Mr Lysuar's proposed scheme of shipping. — Carried unanimously. No. 4 Kaukapakapa Branch. — " That the contract with the Imperial Government for purchase of meat at fixed prices for three months after the war be extended to 12 months." On the motion of Mr Stallworthy seconded by Mr Trounson, this remit was adopted and approved by Kaihu, Dargaville, Omaha, Hel~ ensvilie, Tangiteroria, Kaukapakapa, Ruawai, Hoanga branches. This remit to be sent to Pro. Executive. Tangiteroria Branch. —Referred from last meeting, re charges of commission on sale of stock. It was agreed by Mr Childs to withdraw the former part of this remit re private dealing among the staff. It was proposed by Mr McDermott and seconded by Mr Macfarquhar—That this portion of the remit be referred to the branches for information-Carried. Moved by Mr Childs and Stallworthy—That the Auctioneering firms be asked to reduce commissions on sales, especially dairy stock and bulls. This remit to be sent to the Prov. Executive. Supported by Messrs Steventon, Macfarquhar, Gibbs, and McLeod.,

—New Remits-]-No. 5 Kaihu Branch —Re commissions on stock. —Withdrawn. No. 6 Dargaville Branch. — " That in view of the heavy burden of taxation to be borne in consequence of the war, it is essential that Public Works for the development of the country and promotion of settlement be prosecuted with utmost vigour immediately after th.l^ war. To this end, construction of the main trunk lines of railway North of Auckland should be proceeded with vigorously, thereby opening up for settlement large areas of Crown land and sparsely settled country of great fertility." The adoption of this remit was moved by Mr Stallworthy, seconded by Mr Walton, and carried unanimously. This remit to be sent to Prov. Executive

No. 7 Hoanga Branch.—" That the Land and Income Tax Act 1916 a? amended by Financial Act 1917, be amended so that a farmer shall pay Land Tax on the total unimproved value of all land owned by him after making by way of special exemption from that value the total amount of all mortgages owing thereon." Moved by Mr Steventon and seconded by Mr Walton —That this remit be referred to branches. —Carried. No. 8 KaitAi Branch.—" That this meeting considers it a disgrace that no lavatory is provided on the Kaihu-Dargaville train, and requests the Department to provide one immediately."

Moved by Mr Trounson, seconded by Mr Childs, supported by Mr Rimmer,!and carried. This remit to be sent to the Branches.

No. 9 Omaha Branch—" That the Government be urged to define and take over the main arterial roads and maintain them." Moved by Mr Steventon, seconded by Mr Witheford —That this remit be referred to the Branches.

No. 10 Omaha Branch.—" That the Government be urged to carry agricultural lime free of railage from the nearest lime works." Moved by Mr Ashworth seconded by Mr Steventon—That this remit be sent direct to the Prov. Executive.

No. 11 Paparoa Branch —With a view to assisting the small farmer not having sufficient stock to fill a truck, the railway regulation be so altered as to allow farmers to combine in filling a truck under one consignor." Moved by Mr Gibbs, seconded by Mr Rimmer —'That this remit be sent to Prcv. Executive.

No. 12 Paparoa Branch.—"This branch protests against the unjust charge for stock trucks on the Public Works portion of the line north of Ranganui." Moved by Mr Gibbs, seconded by Mr Trounson —That this remit be sent to Prov. Executive.

No. 13 Warkworth Branch, —' Re Experimental Farms in the North. —'Withdrawn.

No. 14 "Warkworth Branch. —' " That 2/6 refund per member is insufficient to carry on the branch work." Resolved on the motion of Mr Gibbs, seconded by Mr McLeod —That this matter be held over ' till the end of the financial year.

No. 15 Warkworth Branob,— "That the Government be asked to impress on the Imperial Gov-

ernment the importance of basic slag to the Dominion as a fertiliser, and ask them to ship large quantities to this Dominion immediately hostilities cease." Mr Hamilton supported and moved, Mr McLeod seconded —That this remit be sent to the Prov. Executive, —Carried. No. 16 Warkworth Branch. — ' That the Government be urged to secure for this Dominion phosphatic deposits so that farmers can have Same at reasonable prices." Mr Hamilton supported and moved, Mr Gibbs seconded — That this remit be sent to the Prov. Executive. [The balance of this report is unavoidably held over till next issue.]