THE 200 LB. SACK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2739, 18 February 1910, Page 5

THE 200 LB. SACK.

'A PROTEST AGAINST NEW REGULATION.

TPer Press Association.] OAMARU, Feb. 17. A meeting of millers and grain merchants, all local firms being represented, discussed the question of the exorbitant penalty for over-weight grain, sacks. It was pointed out that the anom_ alv of several penalties for the same offence could never have been intended by the Legislature. It was resolved to communicate .with the Minister, asking that the by-law be altered and that a margin of 51b be allowed on the average of the consignment, that is, if the average does not exceed 2081 b. A deputation was appointed to wait on the Minister. CHRISTCHRUCH. Feb. 17.

Cases which recently came before the Magistrate’s Court at Oamaru, when farn ers were heavily fined for breaches or the 2001 b grain sack regulation, were referred to at a meeting of the executive of the North Canterbury Farmers’ Union yesterday. Mr. W. Hill said that in two eases the Government had practically taken one-third of the wheat from the farmers. Heavy fines had been imposed because in one case the margin was Bib. and in another 111 b. Farmers should insist on there being a fair margin, as there was in wool. He moved that the executive protest against the penalties inflicted, and that a margin of not less than 3!b be allowed: also that a deputation be appointed to interview the Minister of Railways on the subject. It was an absolute impossibility to weigh to a pound in the paddocks. The motion was seconded by Mr. Evans, who said that the Minister for Railways had promised to allow a 31b margin. It was an impossibility to weigh sacks accurately, and the Minister had agreed that 31b was a fair margin.

Mr. Lawson said that the Legislature never anticipated such a small margin. If the margin were now fixed there should be -a refund of the fines. The 2001 b regulation would be mnen more difficult to observe as far as potatoes were concerned.

Mr. Evans said that as potatoes were not cereals the regulations would not apply to them. That was what he understood from the Minister.

Mr. Leadley said that it was to the interests of farmers to jret as near the exact weight as possible, but it was impossible to weigh in a field. The Minister had recognised this, and the regulation guaranteed to them was to deal with grain pulse and seeds. It was not intended to apply to potatoes. Mr. Wilfred Hall said that the fines were altogether too high, and the executive should suggest that it be a fixed amount. Mr. Leadley said that it was monstrous that if one truck was overweight farmers should be penalised on the .whole consignment. The motion, with the addition proposed by Mr. Hall, was carried.

It was resolved to endeavor to arrange for deputations to interview the Minister at Timaru, Ashburton, and Christchurch on the subject.