FARMERS’ UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 251, 20 September 1940, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION

LICENSES FOR TRACTORS

COMPLAINT VOICED

A meeting of the Feilding branch of the F’arnters’ Union was held to-day, there being a small attendance.. Mr H. D. Richardson presided. Regarding farm tractors on highways proceeding lrom farm to farm without a license, correspondence was received stating that representations had been made to Hon. R. Semple for permission for this to he granted. The Minister, however, had declined to assist in the matter. The chairman said it cost 12s a year to register a tractor, It was rather severe in that a farmer could not take his tractor across the road without paying the fee. It was tile opinion that the authorities had overstepped the mark in respect of a case wherein a farmer was alleged to have been forced to leave his tractor on the property of a neighbour. The question was asked -as to who would he responsible in the event of an accident occurring. Would the farmer be responsible ? It was stated that most' of the tractors were driven on the side of the road. The 12s covered the insurance premium and cost of number plates. ' “The whole subject seems to he pinpricking and ridiculous,” said Mr D. L. Younger, who instanced a ease wherein a person wanted the use of a tractor which was unregistered. The risk had been taken, but the speaker said that lie would let his tractor stay on his farm before he would pay a license to shift it across the road.

Mr K. M. Little said a principle was involved, and the insurance was designed to give protection to the farmer in the event of an accident, borne farmers could' not possibly pay compensation for damages or injury to a person involved in ail accident. ‘•iiiat is the way increased production is encouraged, ' said Mr Younger, who reiterated that there were coo many restrictions and regulations placed on the farmer's activities. It was decided to support a move to have the requirements of tbe Transport Department waived in order to allow farmers to carry on without having to register tractors used solely for work on their farms.

Correspondence was received to the effect that the shearers’ award was not subject to the 5 per cent, increase in wages. It was stated definitely that there was no provision in the agricultural workers’ agreement for the wages to be increased.

Mr R. H. Buchanan said that the farm workers were penalised as the industrial and Public Works Department workers had received the increase, whereas the farm labourer was not affected by the legislation. The anomaly did not help in the drive for increased production and it was becoming more and more difficult to get workers. The letter was received.

It was reported that the Farmers’ Union had not been invited to have representation on the Home Guard committee in Feilding. In the event of an invitation being received to appoint a representative, Mr C. V. Jewell was elected to represent the union.