FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 305, 21 December 1908, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

T'ARANAKI PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers Union was held at Ilawera on Thursday ; present—Messrs Maxwell (chair), lforsyth (Piliama), Davidson (Ilawera), Allhusea (Kaponga), Lambie (Opuuake), and J'. SteVenson (Kapuni). COIIKIiSPON DENCE. The General Manager of Railways, in reply to a requ'est, stated that before filial details of the time-table for the express train between Wellington anil New Plymouth were settled the Union's representations would be considered. lie pointed out, however, that in fixing the time-table it was necessary to consider the interest of tlio Dominion as a whole before the interest of any particular district.

Hon. J. G. Findlay, Minister for Internal Affairs, replied stating that lie had asked for a report to be furnished respecting the Executive's request regarding lire insurance with the Farmers' Mutual by those obtaining advances from the Advances to Settlers Olliee. To this the Secretin-)' answered by asking' that a copy of tiie report should be supplied to the Union, la reply, Dr. Findlay said this eould not be done, as tile report was confidential.—Tiie Secretary is to again write asking a reply to the original suggestion that borrowers should not be compelled to insure with tiie State Olliee.

Mr 0. J. Ilawken, a. number of the Executive, resigned on account of his inability to attend the meetings—Accepted with regretReceived for tiie J ones-Evans testimonial (Canterbury) .€2 from the Elthani branch, ,11 los from Matapu, £2 2s from Ilawera, and £2 from Pa' tea. Pa lea branch also forwarded £3 proceeds of a social, towards the Executive funds. The Secretary of the Stratford branch, in forwarding levies, advised that the selection of Mr King as Parliamentary candidate had lost that branch some good staunch members.

from Kaimata branch £4 4s was received for levies, and £1 15s from Kaponga.

W. G. Malone, one of the candidates for the New Plymouth seat, wrote complaining that the Union had placed him in a false position by regarding him as a candidate for the Union's' support. He answered the Union's questions, he said, as a matter of courtesy, and the Union had no right to treat such courtesy as a submission to the Executive's official judgment. He asked for an expression of regret for the treatment lie had received.—Members laughed.— 111 explanation it was said that Mr Malone could not possibly have misunderstood the position.—Jlr Davidson moved, " That this Union had no regret to express to Mr Malone in connection with his reply to tire Farmers' Union questions."—Mr Allhusen seconded.—Mr Forsyth moved as an amendment, Thai as all candidates were treated alike there is no need to l'eply to the letter. Mr Maxwell seconded the amendment, which was carried. FREIGHT ON PIGS AND BACON. J. l.'re Murray (Elthani) wrote : "A reduction in the railway freight on bacon, both to the breakwater, New Plymouth, and also to Wellington and intermediate stations, would be of material benefit to the dairy farmers of this district. During the winter farmers in the south got (id per lb for pork for live pigs against our sd, or even the 4d We are. now getting. In old times farmers were getting as low us per lb for their pigs, and co-operative bacon companies at Inglewooil, Elthani and elsewlrere were started to remciiv this

state of tilings. Those companies nve at the present time handicapped through low rates of freight granted for the carriage of lire pigs to Wellington, whilst tile railage on bacon remains as high as ever. About 100 per cent, less, weight for weight, is charged for live pigs than for bacon. A live pig can be delivered in Wellington from Elthani for a good deal less than tile carcase of tlie same animal manufactured into bacon, and consequently weighing half as much, could be delivered. Wellington, and Christchurch bacon companies have had their interest conserved and nutured by the Government in the matter of railway freight. The farming community would be grateful if the Farmers' Union would approach the Government 011 their behalf, for though I am a director of a co-operative bacon company I submit that the interests of tile dairy farmers are affected." The letter was held over till next meeting, Mr Murray to be askcj in the meantime to quote railage charges and furnish other particulars. DAIIiY REGULATIONS. The Secretary of the X'eppertou branch forwarded the following resolution : " That a petition of the Lepperlon dairy farmers be forwarded to the Tiiranaki Provincial K.vecutivc, and that I hey be requested lo use their influence to promote same, and also to forward a copy to the Colonial Council." The petition, addressed to the Minister for Agriculture, was as follows: " Wc, the undersigned dairy fanners, would re-

quest that you give your serious attention to tile widespread dissatisfaction which exists among the farming community against Lite proposed new dairy regulations, and more particularly against the proposal to charge a registration fee 011 milch cows. Wo pray that at any rate the latter may he removed from the regulations, as if the Government insist 011 this point wo fear there will be much resistance to the payment of such fees, and consequently serious trouble will ensue."

Mr Stevenson: Are we certain that tire regulations are not a step in the tight direction ? llr Lambie said it was Certainly advisable to go against the cow tax, a,s they had not expected to have such a tax planked upoa them. Mr Alliiusen : Very many fanners think the regulations are right. Mr .Stevenson : There are no regulations. Mr Allhuscn said '.rouble had been caused through people going about telling farmers what would have to be done.

Mr Lainhie : Not only that, but they told fanners, without authority, what they had to do now. Certainly they should protest against the cow tax. -Mr ..Maxwell said that every good fartiler wished to see the dairy industry carried out in the best possible way, but there were certainregnlations which were drastic and unworkable. It was decided to inform the*branch that a special meeting was to be held in January at Stratfonl, when representatives of tile dairy industry and the

four Taranaki members would be present, and the whole 0: the proposed, regulations would be discussed; Further, in February an opportunity woe.l be afforded to have the matter dealt with bv the head-quarters of the Union.

THE FIFTH. PLAXK. "That taxation through the Customs should be for the purpose of raising revenue, and not for protection purposes." The foregoing is the fifth plank in the I'liion's platform, and .Mr Lambie said many farmers ridiculed it. saying we must have a protective tarifl* if not there would be heavier land tax. He suggested that tile Colonial Executive be asked to publish a leaflet explaining the plank. Mr l.ambio is to move in this direction at the next meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Executive,— Star.