FARMERS’ UNION.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 3 September 1919, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

| SUB-PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. I A meeting of the Manawatu SubProviucial Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held at Palmerston on Saturday. Among those present were Messrs Ct. A. Monk (Wuikanac), E. Macdonald (Te Horo), C. I. Harkncss (Ohau), and F. J. Ryder (Otaki). The Minister of Railways replied .to the resolution forwarded asking that bona-fide dairy stock consigned direct to farmers be carried during the operation of the curtailed railway services, that as. a considerable amount of haulage power is being liberated by the eurtailment of passenger traffic it is hoped to meet the requirements in connection with the conveyance of live stock. — Several delegates stated that they had been able to obtain stock consigned to them, and general satisfaction was expressed that the Railway Department had been able to grant relief to many farmers.

In connection with the complaint re damage to stock in transit, the General Manager of (lie Railways in replying tiT the resolution passed at a previous meeting of the executive, stated that the Department is desirous that all care should be taken to prevent injury to live stock during transit, ant! the stall have instructions that trucks containing live stock arc not to be run next to the engine if there arc other trucks on the train. Ho also stated that during the season when traffic in live stock was heavy, a large proportion thereof was conveyed by special trains? The Department was willing to extend this arrangement in normal circumstances whenever it could be (lone economically. Also they would be pleased to enquire into any specific cases of rough or unnecessary shunting which might be brought under notice. —Received.

Mr McDonald moved that the resolution appointing members of the Provincial Executive as ex officio members of tlfo Sub-Provincial Executive be rescinded, and that they be invited to attend the meetings of this executive. —The motion was carried.

Mr Dixon reported with reference to the remit urging the Railway Department to erect a goods shed at. Bunny-, tliorpe, that a petition was being largely signed to present to the Department, and a deputation appointed to wait upon the traffic manager.—Several delegates supported' the remit, and the necessity of a goods shed was urged.

It was resolved that the remits from Levin and Tiritea branches re publicity campaign be held over. Mr McDonald moved that the manifesto to Labour as previously published be accepted.—Carried. REMITS RECEIVED: At the meeting ol' the sub-provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union held at Palmerston North ou Saturday afternoon the following remits were received* and ordered to be scut to the branches: —

Rangiotu.—That school children travelling on railways be made to travel in apartments set aside for them, as it is not desirable they mix with other passengers who in certain cases are guilty of obscene language, etc., in their presence: that the Farmers’ Union desire that inquiries be made as to prices paid for hidcsMind to ascertain thereby why leather goods, boots, etc., arc so costly to the retailer; that Education Boards’ attention should be drawn to the existing overcrowding of certain country schools with a view to improvement being effected. Tiritea. —That the Farmers’ Union support solidly a candidate for Parliament who will agree to heartily support. the Farmers’ Union platform.

Levin.—That the Dominion Council of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union be requested to give its vigorous support to the governing local bodies (especially to those counties in which the main through roads are located) iu their applications for help to maintain these roads under the present excessive motor traffic, by cither toll gates or tax on motor vehicles on tlieir tyres or from the Consolidated Fund.

Ohau.—That in view of the state of our main arterial roads the Government lie urged to seriously consider a tyre or engine tax on motors, and distribute money so collected to county councils pro rata to their main road mileage. Levin.—That this Union strongly protests against the intentions of the Government to place lads of IS years into military camps for a period of four months, on the following grounds:—(l) A heavy toll of brave lives has already been expended to crush the militaristic spirit, therefore it is illogical to foster same. (2) Money required for military training could be better expended ou improving the educational system. (3) Prom a moral aspect camp life would be a menace, and employers would be chary of employing lads who would require to be absent four months* in the vear.

Otaki. —That it be a recommendation to the Government that they should endeavour to standardise all State buildings such as courthouses, public schools post offiees and bridges, and thus avoid unnecessary expense in obtaining non plans, etc., for each new building. Linton. —That in the opinion of this branch the time has arrived when farmers should take a greater interest in politics. The old form of party Government having served its full term of usefulness it is highly desirable that a strong National Government be farmed to take its place when all classes of the community should be represented in Parliament, including a proportion of sane Labour members, and that the Farmers’ Union select candidates who are prepared to represent the farmers, who up to the present have been poorly represented in Parliament. That in the event of more than one candidate offer-' ; ng hit services farmers be asked to •dve their solid’support to the candidate elected by the Farmers’ Union.-

Palmerston North. —That the various county councils id around the Manawatu district be urged t» declare goats’ rue a nozloua weed, and that tia

Government be urged to take steps to eradicate the pest in the Gorge and on all Crown lands; the sub-provincial executive to convene a conference of representatives of ull local bodies to further consider the proposal for a scheme to form a large canal between Palmerston and Foxton.