FARMERS' INTERESTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 58, 2 December 1907, Page 2

FARMERS' INTERESTS.

AND THIS PROGRESS OF AUCKLAND. COUNTRY AND CITY. [ni- TEIjEGKAPn.—OWN COltni-SI'ONDEMT.] AuchSantl, November 30. Some important utterances characterised tho sptiiches the animal di 1111"of farmers in 1 hi:i.-'cCin:) with tile Agricultural Show last' night. rROSFEEITY DANGEROUS. In proposing tho toast of "Parliament," Mr. R. Monk, ex-.M.H.R., paid a tribute to the Opposition, who had been battling in defence of the fnrmers. The latter were doing a great thing for New Zealand, andlaat year produco valued at £19,000,000 odd was exported, while the total expenditure of the Dominion did not amount to more than £12,000,000. He had been told the country was exceedingly prosperous, and that no ono need worry about anything, but the most dangerous time in a nation s existence was. when it was at tho height 01" its prosperity. The wastefulness that was going on and the non-productive expenditure would inevitably bring about its own result. He declared that Parliament was passing laws inimical to tho country's interests. Parliament was depriving thorn of the freehold. If tho country returned such a meagre Opposition, then such things must result. Ho denounced the Gaining Act, declaring that Parliament should modify instead of endeavouring to control gambling. The bookmaker was inimical to the welfare of youths, who had temptation put- in their way. instead of abolishing the duty on sugar and tea, Parliament should_ have used the money, for a universal pension. (Applause.) Reverting to the land question, he said that a man was a fool who would tako up rough land on a 33 years' lease. Ho was surprised at the supineaoss of the farmers during the passing of. recent legislation. The farmers should have held meetings throughout the country to defend their interests. Why, the farmers did not oven open their mouths when the proposals for tho Government to nationalise wheat and other cereals were put forward. It was time they did moro than look on. They should act. 1 WITH THE BIG > BATTALIONS. Mr. Kerries, M.H.R. for Bay of Plenty, in response, said the fault of Parliament was that the vote always went with the big battalions, ..'id 'measurer, were decided by persons voting and not by their hearing what was being said prior to the vote. He considered that no member should be allowed to vote on any measuro unless he was in the. House and heard all the debate. After all, Parliament was what the constituents made it. It was a very remarkable thing that most farming communities did not send men to Parliament who were identified with their interests. In Mr. W. Massey, M.H.R., tho farmers had an ideal leader of a country party. H e ur/rod the Farmers' Union to make more exertions in the future, as they exorcised a considerable amount of influence. l ARMERS' AGITATION. • Mr. Lang, M.H.R. for Manukau, also referred to tho indifference of the electors. He hoped that in future the Farmers' Union would use similar exertions to what they did when tho land legislation was suggested. The Farmers' Union's agitation and work was. a considerable factor in improving the land legislation. Ho urged that the electors should not rest until a reform was brought about lin the manner of conducting tho business of tho Houso. At present tho early part of the session was muddled away, and then Bills were rushed through, sometimes in twonty minutes or less, at the conclusion. All measures should be brought down early enabling members to deal with the business of tho country in a businesslike manner. The toast, "Commercial and Agricultural Interests," was proposed b.v -Air. Lang. He said that overy city and every commercial man should do his best for tho country people and the agriculturist, but, to a certain extent tho city, .men, appeared -to bo opposed to the country.' ' ' ' >■"' ' • '':SHIPPIN&''EACILi'HIiS. ' ! ' ' The Mayor, who replied, regretted that moro commercial men of the city were not present at such a gathering. Such a meeting of farmers'should bo ;ono- of .the most- important of tho year.- As the show camo round a great annual gathering of farmers and commercial- men should be held, and everything should be discussed on broad lines, even if party feeling did enter. The Government should _seo that adequate transit facilities wero provided for the carriage of the farmers' goods. In having to send their butter to Wellington, tho farmers lost, he believed, ss. 3d. per ton, and 011 the export of butter last year the loss amounted to somowhat more than £1000,• taken out of tho pockets of tho' farmer. ■ Whether n shipping company would bo justified in sending a special boat to Auckland might be a matter of opinion, but the Government should lose no timo in opening up tho vast aroas of unoccupied land in tho Auckland Province, and so make it manifest to the shipping companies that the exports would justify better facilities. It was a shame that such an important Bill as the' Native Land Bill should have been delayed until the end of the. session. (Applause.) The products of tho land represented 74 per cent. .of tho exports of the country, su they could sco what an'important body of people the farmers were, and they should make themselves heard to a far greater extent. The Mayor also, referred to the progressive works ho'iii" carried out by the Harbour Board and tho City Council, • .ill tending towards assisting the industry of tho country- and the shipping of the farmers' products. He was gla3 to say that tho shipping charges in Auckland were lon'or than in any other part' of the Dominion. 'Mr. Joseph Bnni[>h referred to the great increase of stock that/ had taken place in' tin! Auckland Province. It was, he said, steadily forging ahead in all directions. It would mean that they would have an increasing export trade. The city was as lioeessary to the country, as tho latter was to the former. Where would the prosperity of tho country bo if there were 110 largo populations in cities to eat the nrodvts: A man manufacturing a plough was of as much use to tho country as the man who followed it. (Applause.) Mr. fisher referred to tho deterioration of the butter 011 tho West Coast—a matter which should be remedied. Mr. J. A. Young also replied, defending tho contention that . tho industry of the country was tho backbone of the' city, lie strongly rosented the. action of a certain section of the city population who wished to dictate 011 what terms they should hold their land, or how they should work. MUST BE ARTICULATE. Mr. Ilcrries proposed the toast of the "Now Zealand Farmers' Union." Ha said tho only articulate way in which tho farmers could express their opinion was through the. Union showing what an important body it was. The farmers must wake up and defend their interests. He urged a moro thorough appreciation of tho Union by the farmers. . ' hr response, Captain Bell said that if the commercial men had been invited he bad no doubt they would have been present. The members of the Farmers' Union, unfortunately, wero few in numbers, ami the work was left to a few. In contradistinction to the resolutions of many Unions passed in cities and forwarded to Wellington (which ijenorally ha;] e(fcct), thoso of tho various braiicecvi of the. Fanners' Union were sent to the Colonial Conference of tho Union, and that was the last they hoard of them generally. They were endeavouring to remedy that for Iho future. Mr. A. 13. Harding, ex-M.11.1v., said the weakness of tho Farmers' Union was that thoy took 11c part in politics. (Applause.) ft war- the i:u.st absurd resolution ever come to. (Applause and dissent.) ' Tho Union would never be of any uso until they decided to enter politics— not party politics, but they should act on broad political lines, and lay down a platform. lie complained of the inadequacy of country representation in Parliament and in the Ministry.. A remedy lay in the Union entering politics. Mr. J. Flanagan, vice-president -of the Union, also urged that tho Union should aet more, and not simply talk. He objected to the farm labourer being brought under tho Arbitration Court. lie dreaded such an agitation by a few agitators, and the Union si ion Id make a stand against such a movement ■