"THE FARMERS' PARLIAMENT."

Press, Volume L, Issue 149814, 30 May 1914, Page 3

"THE FARMERS' PARLIAMENT."

CANTERBURY PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE.

Tho annual conference of tho North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was resumed in the A. and P. Association rooms yesterday. Mr C. H. Ensor occupied the chair. Remits wero dealt with as under: — MORTGAGEES' INDEMNITY. INSURANCE.

Ashburton—"That where an employer has insured his employees in any reputable accident office in the joint names nf mortgagor and mortgagee, sub-sec-tions 4 and 5. Section -11 of The Workers Compensation lor Accidents Act, 1903, should not apply." Mr W. T. Lill moved this remit, and said that no agricultural and pastoral lands should be included in the Act This remit had been forward for years, and it was no good bringing it up' again unless they were prepared to forco the Government to do something. As it was, tho insurance companies, alone, secured a profit. He suggested that tne Conference should directly approach the Government, and not send the remit to the Dominion Conference. Mr Ensor said that about fw.OOO had been paid in connexion with ....e scheme, and he thought it a most iniquitous thing. He seconded the motion, and thought they should move in connexion with it at once. Mr J Seymour mentioned that cnaitcutters need not be included in farmers insurance, as they were already insured by their employers. Mr G W Leadlev said that Mr Massey had'promised that the question would receive remedy at the hands ot the Government, but that the pressure of business last session had prevented it coming up ; The motion was agreed to. and a deputation armointed to wait upon the Minister of Justice in the morning. LAND FOR WORKERS. Harewood—"That the Government be urged to provido more small sections >n country districts, to furnish more workers with a means of living, and thus relieve the congestion in town population, provide more workers in the country districts, lessen tho number of unemployed, and add to the development of tho country-" . . Mr H G. Livingstone said that this question had been fairly well covered by the discussion the day previously. The motion was agreed to. ' TOOLING FROZEN SHEEP. Oxford—"That it bo a recommendation from the Oxford branch to the North Canterbury Provincial Executive to discuss the advisability ot pooling frozen sheep and lambs for export, with a view to encouraging tho farmers to 'pool' their meat." ■ Mr S. Weld moved this remit, and safd that pooling would be an advantage all round. ~ . Air J. B. Cullen said ho would not approve of this proposal at present, but the remit was carried.

RATES ON IMPORTED COAL. Scargill.— "That with a view to securing the abolition of the differential rates on imported coal and timber charged on our railways, tho Executive be recommended to endeavour, by circular, or otherwise, to enlist tho cooperation of all parties whether members of Parliament, public bodies, or private persons, who may be interested in making a strong representation to tho Government on the subject. ' Waikari.—"That « tho Oonferenlce again be urged to approach the Railway Department with a view to having the extra, rate on.imported coal and timber abolished?' Mr F. Horrell moved that tho word "coat" bo struck out, and "hardwood", inserted before timber. In the discussion it was mentioned that this was doing the Ministry more harm than it knew, a s the grievance was a very real and vital one. The railways were being used to assist tho Customs, which was unjust. Tho remits were altered to adopt tho remit passed two years ago, recommending the Conference to approach the Government on tho subject of having the extra rates on imported coal and timber removed. VALUE OF IMPROVEMENTS.

Waiau. —"That in estimating the value of improvements tho Government Valuer should bo very careful to procuro all available information as to the condition of each separate farm in its original or native state, especially with a view to the expenses incurred br the clearing of bush, scrub, flax, n'iggerheads, or other noxious growths, levelling and draining, and generally bringing the land into a suitablo condition for cultivation to follow. He should also take into consideration the time that such operation may require, and the consequent loss of rcvenuo during that period." Mr Burburv, in moving tho remit, said ho thought tho Government Valuers did not tako the points mentioned properly into consideration. lie quoted his personal experience of subduing some land covered with manuka, and contended that full allowance should be made for such improvements. This was a vital question for tho North Island as well as for tho fcoutn. Mr Cullcn seconded the motion, pro forma, but said that it paid the individual to improve his land otherwise he would not do it. It was not policy to keep the valuation down, because the Government, by adding 10 per cent., could take possession. M" C Reid supported .the motion, and "hoped the executive would follow the matter up. " The remit was adopted. LAND VALUATION. Mr J. G. Stanton (Kaiapoi) moved the following remit:—"That the present method of laud valuation is unsatisfactory." In speaking to the motion he gave some examples from his district of alleged errors in valuation. Ho thought a practical farmer should be appointed to go round with the valuer so that he could point out to him the real values of the land. Some of tho prices put on land made it impossible for it to yield a living wage. On tho suggestion of the chairman, it was agreed that there should bo nddod to "the remit a proposal that a

local valuer should be appointed to act with the Government valuer. WOOL SALES. Harewood. —"That the conference b© urged to protest against the action of wool-buyers in demanding that farmers should forfeit lib of wool per cwt. in each bale."

Mr H. G. Livingstone, moved this remit, and said it was unjust that farmers should forfeit any of the wool they sold. Mr E. P. Burburv said that the time was not far distant when the farmers would demand not only that all tho wool should be paid for, but also that wool packs should be paid for. Mr J. W. Patchett remarked that though the Union had been protesting for a long time, it did not seem possible to obtain redress. Mr P. O'Halloran said that the woolpacks were used over again. Ho objected to los : ng lib per cwt., because allowance in tho price was made for the condition of tho wool, so that deduction was made twice.

The remit was adopted. TARIFF ON WHEAT AND FLOUR.

Loburn—"That tho tariff on wheat ana hour between New Zealand and Australia should bo unnorm."

Jiiaiveru—"Seeing tiiat the Australians ciiaigo higner duties on our wneat than wo ao on theirs, tho duty on xvustratian wheat bo increased."

These two remits were taken togetner. It was said that the Australian duty on New Zealand goods was -s per cental ior wheat, and £2 ius for flour, and that the New Zealand rate was o\d per bushei ior Australian wheat and £1 per ton for Hour. Mr Lead ley predicted *-, if this remit were sent forward to tho Dominion Conference, the North Island men would strenuously oppose it, because they did not want any duties at all. They would possibly carry a resolu-.on that thero bo no duty on -Australian wheat or flour, and that was what Canterbury did not want.

Mr Gardner opposed Mr Leadley's views, and said they would not be doing right to Canterbury if they did not stick up for the wheat-growing industry. In strike or war time it would oe vital to New Zealand to have its own source of food supply. Mr R. Evans said mat Australian wheat was quoted i'.o.b., sacks in, and that meant 2d per bushel. Again, with Australian wheat, a ton of flour coum be made with four bushels of wheat less than the amount of New Zealand wheat required. . The first remit was carried, and the other dropped. HIGH COMMISSIONER ' THANKS.

Mr G. ~\V. Leadley moved the follow-* ing resolution, which was carried unanimously : —"That tins Conference oi North Canterbury farmers desires to express its sense of the valuable services rendered to the farmers of New Zealand by the Hon. T. Mackenzie, High Commissioner for .the Dominion. The energy and ability displayed by Mr Mackenzie in seeldiur to open up* new points of distribution for our frozen meat and other produce: in protecting our exports from unfairtreatment, an-i exploitation by unscrupulous traders, and in urging upon those who have the handling of our goocis better and more up-to-date methods, compels our warmest appreciation and thanks. And that a letter covering this resolution be forwarded to the High Commissioner in recognition of his valuatile services to the farmer and to the Dominion ho to worthily represents."

MISCELLANEOUS. Scargill.—"That the Conference consider the advisability of endeavouring to secure the teaching of the rule of the road in elementary schools."—Adopted. Scargill.—"That the Conference urge the necessity of obtaining for farmers valuation for all star lots of wool prior to sale."

The chairman said the farmers should appoint a valuer to : value all star lots, and if this price were not realised, then they should bo passed in. He was prepared to "pool" for valuation purposes. Mr Elisor's suggestion was adopted, and referred to tho executive. The following remit from Omihi was adopted:—"That tho attention of th© General Manager of Railways be drawn to tho very unsatisfactory railway servico on the Waipara-uueviot branch, with a view to having a return service, one day weekly, as under existing arrangements residents wishing to do business in Christchurch find it necessary, to be three days from home." Mr B. Seth-Smith moved:—"ln view of the immense amount of good done by the Agricultural Organisation Society, London, and its educating effect among farmers in England and the British Isles, this Conference urges the executive to secure and hold at its office for the benefit of farmers the annual report and monthly magazine of this Society." , The resolution was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follow : —President, Mr C. H. Ensor (re-elected); vice-president, Mr G. Gardner (re-elected); treasurer, Mr George Sheat (re-elected); executive Messrs Isaac Andrew; William Bailey, J. R. Cullen, riiehard Evans, •J. W. Foster, F. S. Horrell, H. S. Livingstone, J. W. Pa+ebett, Stephen Weld. C. A. Cook. C. Benjamin, G. G. Newton, and B. Sfith-Smith ; auditor, Mr I. 11. CaverhiM; delegates to the Dominion Conference. Messrs G. Sheat, R. Evnns. and H. J. Livingstone.