FARMERS’ UNION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 August 1941, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION

WAIRARAPA EXECUTIVE MEETING IN MASTERTON TODAY. RIVER EROSION AND FLOOD CONTROL. A meeting of the Wairarapa Provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union was held in Masterton today. The president, Mr Hugh Morrison, presided. The meeting opened with prayer led by the Rev. David McNeur. A motion of sympathy was passed, expressing the executive’s sympathy with Mr and Mrs lan Speedy in the death of their infant son. The secretary, Mr R. H. Williams, reported on representations which had been made to the Government to secure a car for the local veterinary surgeon. Mr Williams said that he had sent a letter some time ago to the Department and he had been advised that the matter would be attended to. At the end of July he had made enquiries and learnt that the veterinary surgeon had not got the car. Mr Hugh Morrison said it was a ridiculous position. It was decided to make further representations to the Government in the matter, and at the same time enquire under what circumstances a farmer could call on a veterinary surgeon for his services. Advice was received from Dominion headquarters that, under recently gazetted regulations, if a heavy motor vehicle which normally does not leave the farm, is taken from the farm for Home Guard and E.P.S. use, it is not liable for heavy traffic licence fees. A farmer would continue- to receive the 50 per cent concession in fees, although his truck was used for army work.

Further, provision was made in the regulations to refund a third of the quarterly licence fee payable for every completed month of the unexpired period of the licence. Application would have to be made not later than a month after the expiration of the licences. Full particulars in support of the claim would have to be furnished to the Licencing Authority. A brief discussion took place on the draft bill prepared by _ the Public Works Department on river erosion and flood control. Support was given to the N.Z. Counties’ Association’s decision that the matter was a national one and should be carried out as such. A resolution was passed to that effect.