N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 456, 11 March 1919, Page 4

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Franklin Sub-District. ■" A meeting of the Franklin SubProvincial District Executive of the Farmers' Union was held at Pukekohe on Monday, March 3rd. Present: Messrs 11. 0. Mellsop (President, E. T. Frost, A. Bell, W. L West, J Schlaepfer, F/ W. Johns, L. Morgan, F A. Hareombe, A. Jones, E. Piggott and C. Hodgkinson. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs J Crouch, J. Fulton, A. L. Hull and L L Allen. In dealing with business arising out of the minutes of the last meeting Mr Mellsop reported that he had interviewed Mr Laidlaw as requested with regard to the Trading Company sending out advice cards on receipt of orders intimating when goods would be dispatched Mr Laidlaw informed him that such had» always been the custom of his Company—Several members stated that in their experience this was not so, the only advice received being the railway consignment note Mr Hareombe said that as his district was only served by an irregular boat service an advice card was necessary seeing that they lived so far from the wharf. Mr Mellsop further reported that the remit dealing with a cheap supply of pea rifle ammunition through the Department of Agriculture was turned down as the privilege would be open to abuse. A circular letter by Mr J E Makgill dealing with the need " The immediate initiation of a progressive policy to increase production " was allowed to stsnd over as the important suggestions embodied were being sent as the subjects of remits by the Provincial Executive to the Conference. Tn reply to a pr./test from the Executive to the Farmeis' Bac >n Company re the period bonus, letters were received from both Mr S, C. Baron, General Manager, and Mr Barugh, Waikato Director, explaining the reason for the Company adopting the system Mr Barugh pointed out that the whole of the trouble was due to the fact that the Board of Trade had fixed the wholesale price of bacon but had put no restrictions on the retail price. This handicapped the Company and played into the hands cf competitor.-* who were able to run pork butcher shops over which there were no restrictions.— Mr Baron stressed the duty of farmers loyally supporting their own concern, if they wished to conserve the bacon business. He expressed a desire to meet the farmers of this district and to lay the matter before them.—lt was decided to arrange with Mr Baron and Mr Barugh to address a public meeting at Pukekoho and one at Waiuku, at an early date. Messrs Mellsop and Hull were appointed delegates to attend a conference of farmers and officials of tho Department of Agriculture to bo held in Auckland on the 13th inst, to discuss the " Cattle Tick " menace That the Dominion Conference and Provincial Executive .take such steps as are necessary in order that the Farmers' Union branches may dis cuss the question of Government by Elective Executive and send their representative? to the next Dominion Conference with instructions as to their decision in regard to it, was the subject of a circular letter from the Provincial Secretary —Mr John Schlaepfer gave a very interesting description of the satisfactory working of the elective executive system in Switzerland, pointing out that it had many advantages over the party system in vogue in this country. —lt was resolved on the motion of Mr Mellsop, seconded hy Mr Frost, '■ that the present system of Parliamentniv procedure and control known as Government-by-party is capable of much improvement " aud on the proposition of Mr Schlaepfer, seconded by Mr Johns, if was decided " that the adoption of the Elective Executive principle of Government in New Zealand would be beneficial to the country as a whole." Mr Piggott then moved, Mr West seconded, ai.d it was carried " That this Executive approve of the preferential system of voting for a choice of Cabinet or Ministry, as being more democratic than the present system whereby a Ministry is appointed by one member representing one party in the House." The following resolutions were adopted, viz, " That on account of the non co-operation existing between the Kail way Department and Public Works Department tho future construction of railways be wholly in the hands of the Railway Department;" " That the Government be asked to reorganise the whole system of public work's so that ail work shall be let on contract by open tender ; "That if tho Farmers' Union have no representative on the Board of Trade one should be appointed so that the interests of tho farmer may lie safeguarded;" " That the Government bo aeked to require all County Councils and Road Boards (a) to furnish forthwith ai.d every three years thereafter it return showing areas of all land undi r their jurisdiction which do not con tribute to local taxation whether Crown lands or native lands, endowments, absentee I tnds unused roads I and publie n.ads encLsetl in private pr 'perty, the area under cn-.li h.>,id ing and tho rtt>-i'>'<- value alio wh- ther those landi harbour rabbits or noxious uv-.-is and thereby menace adjoining owner l ," (b the amount of tever.u n lost through non collection of rate> cin smh | ml-, and (c; such return to bo sho.ui on .he ordinary balance theet of the lo<"il bodies;"" Tha (hi war measure »•■■ striction, restricting the Hale of ammunition and rxplosives be removed;" " That rhe nge of i hiHren obtaining relief under the widows' poj).ojY.n cl.e:i e be raised fiom It to , 10 years to enable those chi'dren t > a fi-tter education;" 'That . seeing that tbxition bear" so heavily ! upon the paren's ol 1.-.rge families,! this exncntivi thai •!•.-. 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regulation governing the filling in of Income Tav returns should be altered to provide that the allowance for members of families bo raised from £2n to £SO, and that this allowance be made to apply to all members of such families up to 10 years of age;'' and that the Department of Agriculture be asked to appoint an Assistant Inspector to assist the local luspector in the extermination of rabbits." It was agreed on the voices that the following remits amongst others be sent to the Conference, viz, " That all branches affiliate with the nearest sub-Provincial District, no unaffiliated branches to be recognised;" " That the Provincial Executive formulate some scheme whereby the producers should regulate the selling price of their produce, the Government to be asked for an assurance that there will be no further interference with trade;" " That the Government be askod to adopt a system of uniform school books tho same to be printed by the State and provided through the Education Department free," and " lhat Government assistance and encouragement be given to suitable classes of immigrants to settle in New Zealand." Accounts totalling £3S as were passed for payment.