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Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1983, 19 January 1907, Page 1

FARMERS’ UNION. Tlio monthly meeting of the Poverty Bay Executive of the Farmers’ Union was hold yestorday morning. Present: Messrs W. K. Chambers (President), Elliott (Motu), W. E. Kent (Tiniroto), W. L. Clayton, and Mr A. Graham (secrotary). The resolution nominating fivo gontlemon to tlio insurance advisory board was confirmed. SHEEP TRUCKS. Tho Minister for Railways wrote:— “With reference to your letter of 6th November last in regard to tho alteration of sheep trucks so as to allow continuous loading from truck to truck without trucks being moved, I liavo tlio honor to inform you that on looking into tho matter I find that somo years tigo end doors wore placed in sheep trucks with this object in view, but it was found in actual practice that thoy wore not used, and in consequence of the representations that woro made as to the unsuitability of tho ond doors tho Department discontinued providing them, and all the trucks that had boon fitted with such doors woro altered to tho present standard. In view of tho divided opinion of farmers and others in rospect to the question, and the very large expenditure that would bo involved in altering the sheep trucks and yards so as to allow continuous loading I regret that I cannot see my way to adopt the suggestion.” The President said it would be well to point out that ill future trucks should bo built on more modern lines.

Mr Clayton said they would need to bo careful in making any such reply, for if tho Minister’s statement wore correct what they had asked for had been discarded at tho wish of farmers, and it would ho unwise to ask the Minister to keep altering the trucks unless they could give good reasons for it. The President' said the end doors might not have boon deemed of use somo years ago, but now the groat development in the frozen moat industry made a big difference. Mr Kent: Thore must have been somo roason for the objection. Mr Clayton: We should not bo hasty in passing any resolution in the matter, in case wo might be wrong. Tho Minister gives a very reasonable reply. If wo got all letters from Ministers in that strain it would be very satisfactory. Tho President: It seems very reasonable. I suppose we had better lea've it. Mr Kent: How did the complaint arise? We must have got it from somewhere. The President said it had originally come from Mr Buchanan. Mr Kent: Well, why not refer it to him, and inform him of the reply given. Mr Clayton: Yes, that would be the best way. If you move that I will second it.

Mr Kent moved accordingly, and the motion was carried. THE LAND BILL. The Secretary read the following circular that had been sent to each branch:—“The Provincial Executive of the Poverty Bay Farmers’ Union have decided that it would be advisable to forward to branches a statement of what it considers the Unions’ attitude is upon the question of the Land Bill. I am therefore directed to give you the following:—l. That the Farmers’ Union has not advocated the breaking up of large estates because the law already provides for this by the Lands Settlement Act. 2. That the Union has always advocated the prevention of the aggregation of large estates. _ 3. That by plank 2 of its platform it has always advocated that selectors may have a choice of tenure, viz., purchase for cash, lease with option of purchase, or lease in perpetuity. 4. That by plank 3 the Union has insisted that ho transfer of Crown Jamls he registered unless such transfer lias attached a declaration by purchaser in torms of Land Act .and Lands for Settlement Act. Therefore it opposes the Land Bill because: (a) It considers its provisions for limiting private estates unnecessary and presenting many objectionable features, the chief of which is—The security for money advances being very seriously threatened, any new law to give satisfaction to the Union must contain such principles as will leave the value of the land security absolutely safeguarded, (b) It) abolishes the selectors of Crown lands choice of tenure, (c) It abolishes the freehold tenure as regards the future. Wo shall be glad if your branch would earnestly consider this statement, and if you would forward me its opinions at your earliest convenience.” Response had been made by two branches, Rakauroa and Motu. The Rakauroa branch replied:— “At the last meeting of the Rakauroa branch we discussed your circular re the Union’s attitude upon the question of the Land Bill. It was decided that with the following additions the circular would express the opinions of those present. To subsectiou C, clause 4, add, after “tenuro,” “As regards Crown lands in the future, and is therefore in direct opposition to the weight of evidence given before the Land Commission.” Add subsection D, “That it is advisable that the unproductive, native lands be resumed, and administered either under the Land for Settlement Act, or a similar measure, in preference to compulsorily resuming privato The Motu branch wrote: —"The Motu branch N.Z. F.U. having held its ordinary mooting on the sth inst., considered carefully the statement re the Union’s platform' and attitude in connection with the proposed Land Bill. I bog t'o report that this branch still adheres to its platform, and as the statement describes, strongly opposes the Bill, becauso of its limiting and restricting conditions unnecessarily and to the land owners’ detriment.”

Mr Clayton said it would be best to file all the opinions for reference and then go into them. The President : We have the Executive’s circular now, and can add these to it as they come in.—Agreed to. THE RAILWAY, The Motu branch wrote regarding the railway works:—“We earnestly roquest the influence of the Executive in placing before_ the .Hon. J. Carroll the paramount importance of speedier construction of the local railway, and regretting the present waste of valuable time and weather,” Mr Elliott said a good deal of tho cutting work had been done, but they wanted to see tho bridge gone on with so as to bo ready in time for the formation, otherwise tho latter would be waiting for the bridge. According to Mr Hall-Jones’ promise there was only three months in which to have tho section opened to fulfil llio promiso that the work woul i be completed in three years’ time. Mr Clayton: They have knocked off a lot of men, too. ' Mr Elliott: They have not room for them. Mr Elliott said they should urge that the lino be pushed on. Sir Clayton said the placing of grants oh the Estimates and then revoting them was very misleading. Mr Elliott said that if they could get tho six miles referred to completed it would bo a great thing for them. At present they had six waggons on the road, which came into Gisborne, but with the section completed they would not require to come in further. A resolution was adopted in accordance with the suggestion. THE LAND BOARD.

The following letter was received from the Gisborne branch: “At the last meeting held' by this branch of the Farmers’ Union the following proposition was unanimously carried: That this branch, through the Provincial Executive, write to the Premier and Minister for Lands, asking that a second local member bo appointed on the Land Board.” The President: Me have not got a member at all now, have we, since Mr Matthewson retired? Mr Clayton said they had put Mr Bart ran: on. Mr. Matthewson bad proved a verv good member, and had always worked well for the district. Ho moved that they support the Gisborne branch’s resolution.—Oarned' ORGANISATION. Mr. Clayton said they had decided some time ago to go in for an organising secretary. Such an organiser was no doubt required, but the question was ono of ways and means. After general discussion on the subject tho matter was droppedGENERAL MATTERS. Mr. Elliott brought' up the subject of a letter his branch had received from Mr, Dickenson, of Ruakituri,