MAUKU.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 221, 27 October 1916, Page 2

MAUKU.

FARMERS' UNr »N MEETING. Bnrrsß regului jnsN^ CRITICISED. ~M The monthly meeting of the Mauku Branch of the New Zoaland Farmers' Union was held on Monday evening the president (Mr R.

W. Johns) being iu the chair. About 20 members were present. Two new members, Messrs J. Queenin and F. Bagnall, were elected and were welcomed by the chairman. A letter was read from the Provincial Executive relative to the risks farmers often incurred in purchasing pedigree stock owing to many herds being affected with tuberculosis and suggesting that sales should be subject to the animils s-uccessfully uaiergoing the test for the disease —Members were of opinion that the information should be made as \vi lely known as possible and expressed appreciation at the Executive's action in keeping an eye on matters of that sort. A letter was received regarding experimental and instructional work and classes for farmers.—lt was considered that it would not be possible to get a sufficient number of farmers to take up the proposal locally. A letter was received from the Provincial President (Mr A. A. Ross) calling attention to the question of National Endownment Lands.—Mr W. Finlay considered the Government should get rid of Endowment lands altogether as they were only a curse t > town and country alike. -Mr Johns thought the Farmers' Union was working on the right lines to take up a question of this sort. The Endowment lands were generally unproductive and were a trouble to adjoining owners by reason of the wealth of noxious weeds and vermin that took up their abode in these areas.—Mr J. Henry referred to articles that had recently appeared in the Press and stated that he had at one time opposed the idea of breaking up the National Endowment lands but since reading the information supplied by the Farmers' Union he was quite in favour of it being done on lines suggested by them. He maintained that the conditions iu the country had greatly altered since those Endowments were reserved. They were set aside to assist the education of the country but the people had reached a stage now when the education problems could not be neglected and he thought the land should be dealt with and the money invested in Government securities bringing in some revenue. He suggested that a return should be secured of the area unoccupied and unproductive for the different provinces.—The secretary was instructed to write for the information as suggested by Mr Henry and the question will be further discussed at a future meeting. In response to a request from the Branch for better accommodation at the local telephone office and for the Mauku office to be classified as a '• regular delivery office " a reply was received stating that a sound proof cabinet would cost £25 and the settlers would have to defray the cost if such were wanted, also that the postmaster required an extra 10s per week to undertake the regular delivery of telegrams from his office. —Members were of opinion that a sound proof room could be constructed at a much lower figure than the price quoted, but agreed that the 10s per week was not an unreasonable request and would result in a much greater volume of business being transacted. Mr C Cnspe introduced the matter of Orchard Registration and adversely criticised the new proposal.—The President and others considered that no great hardship would be suffered by complying with the new regulations.—No action was taken.

The president in bringing the action of the Board of Trade in regulating the price of butter under the members' notice, said he con* sidered it an unwarrantable piece of interference. He argued that an emphatic protest should be entered against the action. The farmers, he contended, had to meet an increase of price on nearly all their requirements from 50 per cent to 100 per cent and yet the increase on butter was only about ten per cent. He considered that farmers were very foolish in publishing the results of their cows and he quoted instances where the records of a few cows had been published which unknowing people might apply to large herds and so form the opinion that farmers wore making fortunes. —Mr J. Henry agreed that a protest should be entered against the Board of Trades' action. He believed in fair legislation and was not opposed to legislation that would prevent anyone making a corner of foodstuffs.—The following resolution was proposed by Mr Johns, seconded by Mr Henry and carried unanimously, viz. : " That this Branch of the Farmers' Union emphatically protest against any interference with the price of their produce by the Board of Trade or by any other body of individuals and considers that prices should be regulated by the law of Supply and Demand." It was also resolved that the Executive should be requested to see that this question was taken up by all branches throughout the Dominion.