FARMERS IN CONFERENCE.

Taihape Daily Times, 31 May 1919, Page 5

FARMERS IN CONFERENCE.

WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

(From our own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, May 29

A good deal of yesterdays business wag transacted in committee, which consisted of all delegates. On Wed nesday night the Conference resumed and confirmed the work of the committee. The conclusion of the agenda paper was as follows:

NOXIOUS WEEDS. There was a crop of noxious weeds remits, hut the majority failed to meet with the approval of Conference. Masterton proposed that the Agricultural Department be requested to declare ’Lantana a noxious shrub, and prohibit any Lantana leed being imported into this country—Adopted.

Wavcrley came forward with another remit: “That the Department of Agriculture be asked to institute research for the purpose of finding means to cope with the creeping or water fern, which is a great pest to settlers on the high lauds of the North Wellington and Taranaki Provinces, — Adopted. J CHEAP MONEY-

Te Hero remit: “That the attention Of the Minister of Finance be called to the present unsatisfactory matters in connection with State and private money lending institutions. That where security is good the 'State should provide money at reasonable rates for farmers’ needs, and should restore the system of mortgage, and provide in every mortgage covenant for payment of sums before due date without forfeiture of interest,” was* carried on the voices.

WHITE PiNE. A remit from Palmerston North, that, the Government be requested to prohibit the exportation of white pine timber, was withdrawn. MOTOR TAX.

There was a long and varied discussion in connection with a remit from Palmerston North, to the effect that

a tyre tax be placed on all motor vehicles, the revenue from same to be distributed to the County Councils for maintenance of roads, Eventually the proposal wag rejected on the voices. SURPLUS WOOL PROFITS.

“That the Executive of the Union

ascertain, if possible, who has received the benefit of surplus accruing between the prices realised by the Imperial Government for surplus wool over and above that used by itself,’ emanated from Hunterville, but was withdrawn. RAILWAYS, i “That the attention of the Minister Yor Railways be drawn to the great inconvenience that farmers suffer, in regard to the shortage of both trucks and sheets, that occurs at this time of the year, which greatly hampers the loading of grain, chaff, potatoes, etc., was a remit from Marton branch that found favour, and was adopted., RAILWAY FENCES. A remit from Mangaweka, “That the Railway Department , be, requested ,to keep the railway fences running through private lands in a hotter state of repair,” was adopted with the following addition: “Failing that, the Department be held responsible for any loss of stock caused thereby.’ LAND AGGREGATION

FRoilding dolcgat.cs emphasised the ineed of something effective toeing done to deal with land aggregation that was going on to a serious extent, and strong support was given to a remit from Feilding branch: “That in view of the serious menace aggregation of land is becoming to the welfare of the country, the Government be urged to take more effective measures to prevent same.’’ The remit was adopted. PHOSPHATE DEPOSITS. “That the Farmers’ Uniin desires

to congratulate the Plon. Mr. Massey

upon having secured one-third interest! in the phosphate deposits on Nauru Island,” wa s a remit from Marton, which was unanimously adopted. PREFERENTIAL VOTING.. The following remit from Waikanac was adopted: “That in view of the excellent results from the adoption of preferential voting in Australia, fhe same system shall without further delay be embodied in the Electoral Law of New Zealand. FINAL SUPPLEMENTARY Final supplementary remits were dealt with as follows: Tiritea—“That all meat slaughtered for local consumption should be graded and branded according to quality and retailed subject to such grade-” Lost.

Manawatu Sub-Provincial, “That presidents of sub-provincial districts Jbe members ex-officio of the provincial executive. n —Carried. Waverley.—“ That the protection bo removed from California n quail so that their numbers may be reduced”— Carried. V* ELECTION' jF OFFICERS,. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, G. L, Marshall (Marton); vice-president, W. B. Matieson, (Eketahuna); treasurer, Thomas Moss, past president, (Eketahuna), ■Executive: Hon. members: Sir James Wilson (Bulls), past presidents,

Messrs. W. J. Li;. .. ' !■—), G. 0. Oliver (Mangaweka), H. Booth (Feilding), E. Law (Shannon), Ewan Campbell and Allan Robinson (Wanganui), Johnßalsilli' tnd J. A. McLeavey (Palmerston North), C. C. Jackson (Mauricovillc), F. Haycock (Martinborough), H. A. Bunny (Carterton), H. A. Nevins (Tinui), H. Morrison (Greytown), and Neil Small junr. (Pahiatua )