N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 225, 23 February 1928, Page 4

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

PUTARURU BRANCH. The usual monthly meeting of the above branch was held in the town hall on Saturday. The secretary’s report on the picnic stated, inter alia, that “ expressions of pleasure on the day’s outing had come from all quarters,” and that “ the picnic provided a unique opportunity of bringing farmers and their families and town residents together.” Members agreed that the outing was a great success, and that it would now become an annual affair. Petrol Tax Re-fund. In reply to a communication from the secretary, Mr. F. F. Hockly, M.P., forwarded a wire from Mr. Downie Stewart dealing with petrol tax refunds, which read as follows: “ In reply to your telegram Public Works Department in absence of Minister advise me they expect to have regulations controlling refund of petrol tax to those entitled to it gazetted either this week or at latest early next week.”

It was decided that the secretary secure a copy of the regulations as soon as issued for the benefit of local farmers. Arbitration Act. The secretary read details of the Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Act, and a lengthy discussion followed on many fanners’ grievances. On the motion of Messrs. Goebel and T, Nickiin it was agreed that as farmers produced over 90 per cent of the country’s exports, they should be represented on the Arbitration Court, as a third party. On the motion of Messrs. Addenbrooke and Nickiin the meeting decided that there should be no limit, to production, and that piece-work should be given wherever possible. The chairman: “ Go-slow ” is a most damnable doctrine. Mr. Nickiin: Let them restrict the number of cows and see how they like that. A voice: The weather is doing that. [ (Laughter). On the motion of Messrs. E. Nickiin and Crickett it was agreed that an enquiry or inquest should be held in regard to every strike by a competent tribunal with power to punish, as strikes were a menace to the community. A discussion of the purchasing power of wages ended in the meeting agreeing that it was impossible to dissolve the protective customs duties from the question of wages, and with a view to increasing the purchasing power of the wage-earner it was decided, on the motion of Messrs. Addenbrooke and Goebel, that a gradual reduction in protective duties was essential, and must be coupled with any movement to improve the Arbitration Ac£. Horahora Stoppages.

Mi*. E. Nickiin suggested that the hours of closing down at Horahora for cleaning purposes could be varied with advantage to the farmer. At present the hours were from 5.30 a.m. till 3.30 p.m., and he suggested that from 7.30 p.m. till 4 a.m. would be much more suitable. Farmers were on a flat rate and thus paid for all stoppages. On the motion of Messrs. Nickiin and Goebel it was decided to make representations to this effect. A member: There will be days of stoppages soon. Just wait till the first flood. Trucking Pigs. Mr. White reported that there was no public convenience for loading pigs at the railway station. The present facilities belonged to a proprietary company, and when farmers started to truck they padlocked the race. The speaker held the local agents were very foolish as they would lose business by thus opposing farmers in the interests of others. It was decided to apply to the Railway Department for the immediate provision of loading facilities, and to bring the facts to the notice of Mr. Hockly, the traffic manager, and the provincial executive.