THE FARMERS' UNION.

Shannon News, 11 December 1925, Page 3

THE FARMERS' UNION.

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE MEETS. The'monthly meeting of the ifianawatu Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union waj held on Saturday. Present: Messrs O. P. Lynch (chairman), B. G. Cower, o. Balsillie, J. Gloyn, it. G. Clifford, F. Maul, H. Bond, A. G. Dear and E. L. Tipler. . Control Board Expenses. The Bangiotu branch forwarded the. following remit for consideration:— "That this branch views with grave concern the 1 hu?o overhead expenses of the Dairy Control Board as appearing in the recent balance-sheet." The' secretary (Mr. E. N. Sudden) reported that he had forwarded copies of the remit to other branches but no replies had been received. ■ The chairman (to Mr. Bond, Avho had introduced the subject): You win a bloodless victory, Mr. Bond. .Mr. Dear expressed the opinion thai it was too earlv to criticise the Control Board, which "had not yet started to control and would not do so until August next. < Mr. Gower: They will not be able •.o help in the present butter situation then. . Mr. Bond statod that it was the ex penses of the Board his branch was complaining about. Mr.. Dear reminded Mr. Bond that the Board had reduced the insurance rates by nearly one half. Mr. Bond considered that the Board was spending too much money and he had heard complaints expressed from all over New Zealand. The expenditure of £36,000 Avas out of all proportion to what had been done. The chairman of the Board received £750 per year. , • Mr. Lynch called for a seconder for the remit, but as none was forthcoming, the matter was dropped. Native Leases.

A second > remit from Eangiotu branch:; "That the revaluation of Native land needs investigation," Avas also briefly discussed. The general expression was that an lands needed re-valuing. Mr. Bond mentioned *hat in his dis- j trict there were native sections of which it was difficult to find the owner? and they were overrun with rabbits. If the valuation was! lowered, these sections would be,occupied by white settlers and the areas kept in something like decent order and made productive. The chairman spoke in agreement and urged that tlie remit be forwarded to the Dominion Executive. This was done. Storage on Cheese. Mr. Bond protested against the action of the Wellington Harbour Board in charging storage on cheese whereas no charge was made for butter. Me considered this action totally unfair and he could see no reason why cheese should be singled out for the charge. As most members were in doubt as to the position and the reason which had led up to the charge, it was decided to defer further discussion until next meeting, when Mr. Bond will move that the action of the Dairy Control Board in protesting against the decision of the Harbour Board, be supported. Prior to concluding the meeting the ! chairman took the opportunity of wishing members a merry Christmas and prosperity for the coming year. The compliment was returned by Mr. Bond on behalf of the members.