FARMERS' UNION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 571, 28 July 1909, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. THE FARM, THE LEGISLATURE, AND THE MARKETS. • ,„ , i .' THE NATIVE LAND PROBLEM. The annual Dominion' Conference of tho Now Zealand Farmers' Union was opened in rooms over the Wollington Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Tho Dominion President, Mr, J. G. Wilson, occupied tho ohaii, and others present wore Messrs. G. W. Lcadloy J. C. Cooper, W. C Bjrch, » and H J. Riohards (Advisory Committee); Mr. A. E. Russell (treasurer), Mr E C Jack, ' secretary; tho following provincial presidents: Colonel 8011, Auckland; Messrs. J. W. Taranaki; J. A. 'MacFarlane, Hawko's Bay; R. Evans, Canterbury; D. Chaytor, Marlborough; G. Stewart, Ctago; and H. I. Middleton, Southland; and the following delegates: Messrs. F. Dje, Auckland; E. Maxwell, Taranaki; Eustace Lane, Hawko's Bay; Ewen Campbell and W. B. Matheson, Wellington; O. F. Clothier and D. Jones, Canterbury; and A. S. Orbell, Otago. PRESIDENT'S SPEECH. ,i ' > FARMERS AND POLITICS. In his'annual speeoh the President, Mr.' J. ,G. Wilson, said tho jear had been one of encouragement. At the tnno of the last conference they wero not'aware of tho decision of tho Court in tho, case of the la- ( bourers' dispute. All tlie preliminary work \ had been done, and the report made to the Arbitration Couit. it was not, however, till o. later time that the Court announced that thero would bo no award in this case Everyone interested in the subject felt that the decision of the Court was tho only one which could be giVcn. .Farming and the Labour Laws. To, tie down farmers to certain hours, and to have restrictions placed upon their work (said tho president), in addit'on to other difficulties with which they have to contend —climate, the competition of the world, and often the envy and malice of their fellowmen—would be'to further mcreaso tho cost' of living and decrpaso the opportunities of ' making one. For, undoubtedly, agricultural farming would be curtailed and work 10dueed to a minimum. This would mean re- ' dueod income foi farmers, but many would prefer that to tne constant worry ot trying to keep within the four corners , of * an award.. If the income of the farmer is re- ' duced there r would, of course, bo less money to oiroulate, and therefore less woik to do. / To reduce the growth of produce is to reduce tho growth of wealth, which is so / necessary to provide woik 'for a growing population m a joung country. Every schoolboy knows that wealth, no matter by whom held, must benoht the worker; curtail it, qr make conditions such as to dnve it away to otner countries," and tho worker is the i first to Buffer. -I'think every farmer rccogmfced'how much the farming community were' indebted to those i who conducted our case, and we wore'also much gratified to v see the reception given to these gentlemen in Chnstchurch at the banquet recently ten-1 cored to them. - , Lama-shßarlng Charges. The shearers' demands wero met in a conciliatory manner; but there are several , anomalies ( which requne adiustmont when the, award runs out. The high price charged | for sliearing the lambs kept many from shearing tliem lin aud ~tjiu.s were usual, ami ,tho opinions' were freely expressed that it would bo in the j'n--4 torests of both sheep-owpers and shearers that price should be reduced. Tho question, also, as to the price for hand-, shearing as against machines, may have to be reyiewed. * , Socialists and Leaseholders. The election which closely followed the labt session of 1908 might bo said to havo been a ttjumph for<the views which the union has put before tho public. Fighting Socialism at every turn, as wo have done, a source of gratification to us all, that the Socialistic element in tho new House was ■ decreased rather than increased. Tho author of the obnoxious Land Bill, which wo so' strenuously opposed, was defeated by an opponent who stated on nearly every platform that »he w.as opposing Mr., M'Nab on •» question of Freenold v, Leasehold,' The principle of freehold won. Elsewhere the return of members pledged to the 'freehold, was satisfactory—a majority of tho House I in'fayour of tho freehold being returned. In • politics, as wo know, it is not always the 1 majority which Wins, for this question, has been burked in two Parliaments, although in both oasei there was a majority m favour of it' 1 , Members trim and twist in trjing to J'run with the hare and" hunt with the I hounds," at tho same timo telling their constituents that, they .are consistent supporters of the freehold, yet voting against it, and turning to the Government in expecto- ' toon of the „plums thoy hope to pull out, I say . S'What a good boy am I!" , If Parliament again refuses to grant the power to tho Crown tenant to convert his i leasehold into freehold there will be a good ' 1 many political graves to be dug. Tho ques- i tion is certain to come up in the coming | session in some form or other, and I hope i members of tiho union will everywhere see that when it does_so their members of Parliament receive active reminders that thoy are expected to keep their pledges. 'Mr. Massey's'opportunity. One important lever will assist that wo have not previously had, and that is the want of pence which vexes public men. Money to purchase more properties is ex'*tiemely difficult to procure, yet wo havo millions invested in land which, if this light were given, would supply all that is required to continue tho purchase and partition of estates suitable for small farm settlement. By refusing the right of purchase to Crown tenants, the Government is leaving a splendid source from which its successors will bo able to supply money, hoth for 1 continuing the land foi settlement policy, and for public works. ,Tho sale of the land to i Crown tenants would probably bring in a sufficient sum of money to open up and settle the balance of the Crown lamls, and tins ma perfectly legitimate way,, for tho land has anyway to pay for the making of roads and bridges. If these moneys were earmarked and a. proper sjstem established for the distribution and expenditure of the monoy by local bodies, the House would become somening more than a big Board of Works. ,

Business Methods Wanting. It is osfcraordinary in this matter how tusiness principles aro entirely over-ridden by theory. We pile up a debt upon what aro cajled reproductive works. That is, they meet some portion of tho interest ou their cost; for few of tho Government investmeats pay their own intorost. Wo borrow money, buy landj sell it, or lease it, and troat the money as income Were a private individual to do tho same ho would be in 'tho Bankruptcy Court in a very short while; but a Government has the taxpayer to fall back upon, and the screw is given another turn. If our affairs Mvero conducted on business pnnoiplos there would bo no need to borrow money for many a long day, and the increased settlement fostered by such a i policy would absorb all the unomplojed. Tho working people have therefore to blame the Bingle-taxcr, tho land nationahser, tho Sociabst, and others of tlut ilk, for the proBent condition of things.

Burden of Taxation. It is well to note hore that taxes on land are increasing very rapidly. In ton jcars (from 1897-8 to 1907-8) tho land' tax has more than doubled, having risen from £267,28G to £537.846. In tho same ten ycar3, h is worthy of note, the general taxation has increased from £3 13s. 3d. to £6 os. 4d., or a little more than 33 1-3 per cent., so it is safe to say, that land has been called upon

to: pay a greater-ratio, than 'any other form of taxable. property, and this is only ono form of:taxation which > land, pays. Besides this sum, ■k\ 1906-7, tho latest date which the Year Book* gives, rates on land showed a total of £1,233,049; nor is,this all, for on the death of the owner-there is duty to ho paid... land pays in various .ways well nigh two million : pounds per annum towards.tho government of.;the■'■'.country,. or. two : per cent; upon the' unimproved value of the land Dominion, probably .about one-third of tho :nct returns, after paying interest: and depreciation upon: tho vnluo of tko.stock and implements used in the working;' of it.y-'Yet.'townspeoplefrequently clamour for/further taxation;- and when it is suggested to a'■ town audioncc'the.sentiment is welcomed by a Sheer.,; :!.,/,;■:/ :' r '£G 10s. Per Heady ■I': I hove said taxation;per head of : the Dominion is £5 Os. 4d., andif \veadd.to ■this, the local, taxation per 'head of,the Euro-. r«;ah;population; ; or::£r : 9s: Bd.,' wo get £6 -lOs.y/But/probably hot;more /.than,; 100,000 people: in /the Domiriiorf own land, including pastoral: Crown tenants. The Year Book gives only the summary '■■ of landowners,' supplied: by -the ,; Agricultural Department, at 73,3670f one aoro /iindover. 56.:.1: Have 'allowed" a .liberal' addition; for tnoso/ who/may., own less than' that'area.;' Taking:the figures, /therefore, of. local taxation, as above,; yiz., , £1,233,049, this- w/ouki:give 'an 'average -payment-'per head .of landowners, in the •Dominion' of £12 6s. 7.d., >and ',- if .to 'this we-add the general taxation per head, wo arrive at the figure of £17 6s, lid. Mortgage and Income Tax. At present tho tax on mortgage is 6s. 3d. per £100, without any exemption; whereas income tax has an exemption of

tne'fifsi £300, and pays on the balance up ;to £1000, 6d. in the £, and over £1000 inobrae.ls. 'in, the £. , The exemption meanß that:.incomes Set a deduotion of £7 10s, in eaoh lease when over £300, which rather complicates the comparison. It can.be made taking several instances. If ws' take .an income of £400 per annum, .the 'owner would pay 6d. in the £ on £100, or £2 L lps./ Taking the value of money at five Iperjcent. for comparison purposes, it would ! re'quire' ! ,B;:'capital -of ..£BOOO lent out. on.mprt-, 'gage;:to/bring!in;,the:same .income. ". '.ln this' :oase v i''theTe;V.would.;do.' : Jd. in' the )'£.. paid ''by' ■way ;ofYmortgage;tax,'; or £17 10s ;-V Following, ;th'e-sarnalihes we get:— ;,:.; '-~: , ;;;://'/:.; ■■'•;- 'Income/'Y'/'</-;/ tix'. ;Mbrtgage/ ; /,;/ : .:- ; Y ; 'Vi;/''; : V£iOO' ; pays2'£2:i6,;^': r £1000 pays:£l7 10.;:. £20,000 pays £62 10; '£1200 payV£4s,;: 0;/v ...';£24,0q0-pay3. £75.:; 0,, .This' naturally' has a 'deterrent /'effect : on" : money-lending, and there is undoubtedly less; money now.', ayailable for' loan 'on,mortgage. >;;.TKe .inability;.of-the Advances to Settlers I'to'i'lend: money -left the. market very/bare:; of imoney. for,this class"'of investment: ■;, ' 'V : ; :>'-; :-a;/;":.';:.Too' Much Borrowing.:''/:\/. : : ./•",./ ./.It-is''to be hoped': ; that peoplo ] .wjJL listen "toftho,.'voice /of reason, and/not. be : carried. :away 'byu'-the.' 'voice of•'...thej.charmerß,/.:wh,b; and mono-. 1 polisis- ''criminals," nor' imagine that:incpn-,' Avertible paperji or even - convertible •paper,' is ■going.'to.create ; wealth, and find.: money/'to pohtinuo public ; works; Whilst; on .this' sub? ; ject,;l would''like to•'draw; your'attention ; to our. continued /borrowings..;/ VVe' r are piling:thed.obt,: : arid,/Jike the morphia habit, it'will ,be/a;;Tery, difficult thing tp.break; away .from, '..wh'envtnd . leader ...cries' "peccavi.": -1f,,:, then;: with';all this: expenditure of/publio; money, going on*'a check;' in the prices'of. our/produce ibnn'gs. such lan • : amountV.:of:.uriemploy- i meht.thereis.averyserious.outlook/for; the : working : /people;:■■■'■ -During -good .■ timeiv_the of ;good, government is :to-relieve people"' of taxation.' so that, there.: may /be' a margin when ' the:Wd ! time,corrios, i l .but .lator; practice seems' to be to add taxation'during the good: times,' when public money is plentiful, and wHeh the check .comes, to add further -taxation to the already very heavily, burdened taxpayer. .It would almost_:seem: as if' \ tb°...'/.people ' thought /.additional taxation : was ;■ reproductive.- ..When', .an old', post office.;. is 'pulled ;; down, and a now one built in its plaice, it, is charged to tho Public-Works: Fund. If the policy 6f. the Government .'were: to say,;to the Post Offico -"Any; building 'you requiro you -must i build' out of your; own- revenue," as is done in tho case of the Public.Trust andthe Life Assurance,' we /should- havo some rhising./If one could' thoroughly analyse'.the Railway accounts', it might probably be found. tha.t.here also,: renewals wore: paid out of borrowed -money. V: :./.':^:'/./;;:/ '}'-'L-- :/ Queries'/for Parliament.-.'/i.';/ • ■'/The Hon.' Mr. 'Millar; had said, the .present expenditure of ,2i millions ;ou public, works per' annum ;was greater' .tjiaii".the increase; •in the population justified, taking into 'consideration the. amount of taxation, yet ■ we have had • several warnings from the Prime Minister ,that• > taxation; / may, be /increased. Should members, of the House.not be; urged by'the electors to stay their hands on', the demands they make' on tho public purse? Should the- electors not bo warnod that if. they demand money for roads'. and. bridges, j public buildings, railways, aiid other public works, these can only be provided out of borrowed money, on which the iuterest hijs to be paid?// Should inquiry not be made as to whether the mode of distributing this loaa'mojLßjf- "w' oowinstcd" on jpropcx Ikcsf,;

Should it.not bo expended through tho local bodies, and at least, partially paid for by a rate to ensure that thero was a public/ need for the Work? Surely it is time to consider ivll this when .the sudden.-fall jn wool, and other New Zealand produce uas had such a marked effect, despite all this borrowed money being spent for ■ tho employment of workers in, tho cities. Have not tho cities overgrown tho- needs .of the country? If this can happen in a country which, boasts that it is in; the "vanguard of progress" in legislation, is not-this-w'ant, and the workless conditions of the people a\ strange commentary on its success ? Does it not all como back to the economic law, that our wealth .is the result of production. .When the lovel of prices of our produce falls, the country must reduce expenditure. , As tho farmer will-feel the effect cf extravagances more than anyone, is it not time ho' awoke from his lethargy, and prepared for the fray in his .own defonco? What the Cities Must Learn. ; Should:wo not tell tho cities in the words of aMate/ writer, that '.'lt is necessary that town people, who have such a preponderating share in shaping the political destinies of the . country, and 'usually' so: imperfect an acquaintance with the conditions _■ of rural 'progress, should, 'realise that agricultural advance does not primarily depend' on the activities;of politicians." : Tho activities of politicians can /retard, hot call'/do 'little to advance agriculture: , TnLt must rest, not'.with ,tho man,'- hut .with.the security of tenure, and as little restriction as possible, .then , you..,wilt; have ..farmers working like :&'■.. hive,, of r ,jbees; /Exploit, threaten, and;,tax, .and-they will be like drones., ;■/'.'."! ;-'i.'■'-.":".-■:"■. ;-;'l". .. F "■' •.'■.'.'■..-.'■ In Germany,/where the .-Government's;'extravagance takds the form of buildmg war-

ships -the';people-.lately had/to face, fresh taxation 'to the ..extent of £25,QpO,00Oper;an-: num.; It-was': proposed that', if good deal; of. ■this| should.fall'on the ! land, but;the■ Agra'rian; - party..: in: the Reichstag ;defeated /the. proposal,; and :pr'cbably'-have, hot'only,'re-' strained Germany: from'•useless-expenditure, but; have; saved'the world: from a/position, of;'tension. The > time''may'not be far-dis-tant/when an. Agrarian' party will be necessary iij. Now Zealand. /^ ; : //.:;;: ;■;;•/■-':-:/./;' ■■;•';. 'I: /;:": ; '■:?. Military Training: ) /'ltisextremeiy'gratifying to. note the.great advances made in the. consideration given to .mititary.'jt'rainmg. ; 1 think we 'wereHke first organisationto publicly, endorse the-action of,, the' National Defence League 'iin': asking that 'the ; Government should undertake' some form. of. .training.;' It.-is,,especially gratifying,' seeing that one of our. prominent men :wa9'thefirßt.to give, the Defence.Leaguo' a footing:in.Now,,Zealand. ~The/training of our.'bpys ,at; school makes a splendid .groundwork tp : continue as -yoiing men,; the. military training and'drill./'■' , '/ -~.■■':'■ ./ ■;•; ]'.\\ :d : ) .•..; " ; i'-'5Si«.-.president referred also;to the advance' of agricultural training,- botli at: tho schools among the. young, and/oh. thefarms among the older.'.! ; ... '■'■.''•[■■ :'■■",- :"■' -':-'"', ! -'■■*;"..' )Ln, older countries, /where.- beef is scarce and:/dear, • cattle."were . stall-fed:, nior© • for : - -.- the .reason/ of,' their: ■' making "mook" 'than,for Amy. profit there -was/in their feeding. Our system:is .quite different. We cannot' 'thus make farmyard iriariuro, nor ,can'..wp-farm. : 'to the greatcbt. profit' without manure/of 'spine 'kind. ; -In most''oases we cannot:.grow ■'turnips ■ and rape t without:'it: .'fhis;.'thai -entails-/the assistance,'of the ohomistj' we must buy /artificial/ 'manures, and no one :ca'n ! tell.what these: contain unless' a careful /analysis 'is./gif'cn.; Moreover,' the chemist.oan' assist our ; soils and suggesting the ihgredientß .wanting.' The- Chief /Chemist to (the: Agricultural Department (Mr/; Astoh) has been , of: great assistance,: and has worked in conjunction 'TOth(the'supofyisors,.:and has personally carried out some of the experiments, and read the-results! for us'in the. light of science. If we are to continue our research of the soil, this work is, very, necessary. Judge'of my. .dismay,', therefore, when 1' saw that he was to,bo transferred from this- sphere of usefulness'- and to bo ;•' buried in some :> other "Department, .and lost'to, tho 'farmer. For-' tunatcly, tho Minister's' reply -to a: protost. was moro reassuring, ahdl hopo: to seo that Mr. .Astpii will; still' bo. retained' in the Agricultural Department. Exporlm6nts and Dullotlns. ' '■ ; .Atsevbral of tho shows; tho Experimental Division.of the Agricultural Department exhibited : somo. of the turfs which had been drossedj.to ascertain.the best manures, those in .many cases wore most: convincing - as to the. results. / The • only possiblo way to find out .whether, they pay pr not is/to" graze 'thein;somewhat after the stylo of tho .Cockle: Park ox'periinentsj and thosoigoing on : at 'JloumnhnkiY; I' understand from Mr.,, Baylis that this is tho' next stage, of ..his work. Grain has been-tried and grass lands manured, 'and .experiment's as to: the best summer and winter feed for cows. Wheat grown in. Now' Zealand, has yet to be tested for: its/strength.: Tho exhibition of tho original seed and tire wheat grown in Now Zealand shows possibly an advanco in plump-, ness, though it has lost/that "steely look '.which.millers like so -much; the characteristic which makes "Hard Deluth," tho most valuable wheat in the Londonjmarket. ; To properly place the result of all these oxparimeuts before those interested irnd to let those in other districts know what 's gaina "oa, we ouaUt to lutvo ft moutJiiy

bulletin. It is useless to wait till the yearly r °l>P r * comea out - Tl] o interest is gone and tho naturo of tho experiment forgotten Despite all endeavours, I havo been unable to secure this. lam sure that it is necessary and it would bo much bettor and surely no more expensive to publish tho Agricultural Keport m twelve parts than to mako the yoluino unwieldy, and difficult to read, as we have it now, though I readily admit its value. I hope, therefore, that the authorities will yet see their way to have- monthly bulletins issued ins,tead of tho yearly report. It is reducing, retrenchment to an absurdity to go to all tho trouble and expenso of such experiments, it we cannot afford the small additional expenso of making the Tesult luiown. ; ■ • > Tho Now Minister. Tiie change of personality in the Minister for Agriculture, which has taken place since wo last met, has not been, I think; to our 'disadvantage Although not. an agriculturist himself, Mr. M'Kenzie' has represented farmers throughout his career, and has taken an activo part .in legislation for their benefit. Wo should probably bo better pleased if the general policy of the Government were .based on his views of the land question,'and we may yet see this encompassed. I think, without. consideration to party in politics, the farming class would welcome his appointment to that of Lands. However, no has yet to win his spurs !as a farmers'.Minister, and I expect to see him succeed. It is too early to criticise or commend the changes which havo been made in the Department. It'is only fair to the-old officers that the new ones should be ..given time to show by results their fitness or otherwise for. the positions they occupy* , ■ . N I think we.all agree that we are fortunate in our officers of the Agricultural Depart-' ment.; lam sure lam expressing the opinion

of, all 'when I say. that; though we are:sprry....to.! lose. Mr. Ritchie as': Secretajy for'•; Agriculture, .and ,we would acknowledge the great, work, he '. has 'done.... since, the Departments: first; started,' wo congratulate him oh his promotion/ and foelisure his special qualities [will make torn a safe and judicious . guide in 'conducting thej land for settlement policy.':-:/': ";'/■'•'.' ••.".'"■■■/•'; ■'/• Tho Past Grain Soason. '> ' I have detained youtoo long to; make; anything more than a rapid survey of : the last 'season.-.// Just as 'no. season'is climatically like another, so in : nono are tho. prices-the same. • 'Wheat growere can probably/ be: said ix> have had oven- prices, and,a prospect (it, is rash to prophesy) of : paying prices for tht next season.'-, At any 'rate, that seems -to be the'opinion lof many in Now v .Zealand, for/it, is said that in th ; e wheat-growing districts, fully 70 per,cent, more land will be,sown with ;tliis,'cereal :...-'■ One disquieting thing has occurred in connection with wheat.' We have (as nearly as is possible to,got,it), the total-yield of that grain, and every month wo have &'record of the total number, of bushels exported. These statistics have, however, been challenged by those whose business makes.them take note of exports, and we, have yet to ascertain which is right. We can only afford to export about two million bushels, and we shall have a scarcity in the Dominion if we send away more. So it -is of great moment/that wo should have confidence in our export statistics.' .;'. , ;■•'■ '■ ■; : '", •.-.. Fortunately, our oats are very .'saleable in 'London; wore'it riot so -we should fare badly, and we cannot consume all we have, grown by several million bushels; and the trouble is to got'the ships to'carry them, rather than . the oats to export. There will not be so many consumed this year in the Dominion, and we,havo.one of the largest crops on record., 'So there is no likelihood:of, there,being a scarcity of oats.,' Chaff has fallen to a similar degree,, and is now 'difficult of sale, for we cannot export this form' of our oat .':,.';.'," , ■ /';,■■' '■'■ ; Dairying Stagnant. , Dairying has again been most successful as to returns, but has not, advanced in the slightest degree as to methods.: It always fills .'me with- amazement that dairy; farmers, when they could, : by proper selection, put at least 25 per cent, more money into their pocjtets by .'properly testing thejr cows, with scarcely any more labour, and with no more feed, yet prefer to continue on old methods and lose their profits. It is not, however, in times of prosperity that reforms occur. Moat and Wool. Frozen moat has been a great disappointment. A record output, meeting an indifferent demand owing .to had trade, has resulted in disastrous prices. Lamb has not been so low before in our experience, The stores are full in London, and this, although Australia had a greater shortage than Argentina's increased numbers. .This.-is one of the causes of more whe.it going in. in the South Island, and it is a disquieting tiling that the trade wo had-specially made .our own should havo so slumped. Tho remedy, if thore is ono, lies in turning out the best article and incombination in soiling. _■ .

' The continued low prices havo caused a movement in London among agdnts and sellers, to hold for. better pricos, , The remedy should begin at this end, and the market fed according to its requirements. Beef seems likely to be scarce in London and prices to rise rather'than fall, but' our prices compare badly with chilled beef. Tho wool market has, fortunately,. taken a turn for the better, supply does not seem to have overtaken the demand. Altogether tho season has been a good one,,and aio good m £&r W caa b« fwossuu,

THE ORDER PAPER. ! FREEHOLD V. LEASEHOLD. Mr. Ewen Campbell (Wanganui), ,for the Wellington provincial conference, moved:— • That the Land Act bo amended so as' to givo Crown tenants and Land for Settlement tenants the option of purchasing tho freehold of their lands at tbo : original value, and in the 'case of tho : lease-in-porpetuity. tenants the payment of tho difference betVeen.the four..per cent, now charged on the lease-in-per-petuity, and tho five per cent, charged to tenants with the right to purchase, and the disposal of all future.lands,s.hall . carry tho right of purchase.with limita- ' tion of area. In supporting tbo motion, the mover Bpoke of the difficulty which leaseholders experienced- in obtaining, loans oh their properties. Mr. Birch, Marton (of the Dominion Advisory Committee), seconded, and obtained an alteration of the motion to read "original or actuarial value." '~ ■'. Mr. Matheson (Eketahuna) pointed out that there was a distinct difference between the national importance of the rural interests as against those of the towns, tf a town industry .failed, tho. country's prosperity was not appreciably affected, but if tbo farming industry failed, the country would bo- in danger; of ruin. Yet tho town industries possessed an-entirely free hand; while the farmers, many of them, wore tied down by leaseholds. ■...'' Mr. Lane (Hawke's Bay) said a Cabinet Minister bad lately sa\d that-no Crown leaseholder had any nghtf. to bequeath his leasebold to his widow. . ', , Mr. J., C. Cooper (Advisory Committee) said that; although the Farmers' "Union had been charged with asking for what was un-

reasonable'fpr.-tHe leaseholders,'.'they) wer«,in reality, asking, what, would be a. very good' ■ bargain for the State, in view'of the diiference between the leaseholder's rent and the terms offered for the,freehold. Tho assistance of the money-lender was the farmer who .started with, small,capital; but. the money-lender, as a.business man, naturally looked at the face, value of his security, which, 'ift'.tho caso of the' leaseholder,; waß doubtful. If this Were the case, when lcase-in-perpetuity tenure\was possible, it would be in-' finitely ■ worse now when all 'leases were to'bo limited to 66 years.. The leasehold tendencies of thg Government wefo responsible for much ■of the exodus of. New Zealand's "best settlors to Queensland; . lt : was the freeholder who i could best farm his land, and that' form of tenuro should be the policy of the country. (Hear, bear.).... '...:.. ;':'.'.. ..,..■;,■ Messrs. Evans, Jones, L'eadley, and other delegates took part'in.the(discussion, and ■the motion was unanimously passed. . After the luncheon-' adjournment a special comniittco submitted 'the following modification of tho motion passed, for adoption; by the'eonferenco:—'•' '■■'.; ',"■':" ■'.'.;' : '.' ■ That tho Land Act should be amended ' so that when .'all improvement and resi- , dential conditions have been complied j with, present and future Crown tenants Bhould have the right of converting their; leaseholds into freehold "at its. actuarial ■ value 1 On a 5 per, cent, basis, th'osewho have'paid i per cent, paying the capital- ■■■; ised-value. v of tho one per cent, for the . term of the year's the lessee has occupied the land;, that the tenants undor tho ' Lands for Settlement Act havo a similar .: right/provided that jwyments may bo extended over a period of years if so de- , ;■. sired, provided) further, that in no case ; shall the lessee have the right to pnr- : chase a greater area than that allowed in thevarious Land Acts'. ■•';■,, , ~ Mr. B. Lane' (Hawke's Bay), moved, jan amendment:— r •■■- ■ ■ That as,'in the'opinion of! this, con? : ference, it is desirable that every farmer in, New Zcaland, ; no matter what his tenure or from whom held, should have an opportunity of :accjuiring the freehold of such land as does not exceed the "... limit under'the present Act, tho Govern-,/ 1 ment.be urged to legislate,in that direc- . tion. -" : ■:;•,' :'.- .. ■ I

This amendment lapsed for want of. a seconder, and the motion, as,modified, was passed unanimously. . ; :■ ; NATIVE LANDS. ' : Colonel Bell (Waikata) moved:— ; ■.' That, as the continued, unsatisfactory ' position withi regard to the'opening up • of'Nativo lands is causing serious loss .to tho whole Dominion, and the Auckland . : Provinco in particular,' the Gbvor'nnicnt. bo ajjairi urged to. bring down , satisfac- : tory legislation to onablo theso lands to ho dealt with/ and. that tho Native lands' be made equally liable with European, to contribute to local rates, v. Mr. F. Dyo (Kaukapakapa) seconded. Mr; Birch supported, and.spoke in favour of individualism, or the purchase at a fair valuation, in special cases, by the Government.. He.did not think, it necessary for the Government to delay action while awaiting the completion of tho present surveys. When individualised, the Native lands should bo held'liable to rates and to distraint for rates, and when held in common, tho Government should bo responsible' for the rates. He moved tho following amendment:—

That the time lias arrived when Maoris should be granted the same political and local Government privileges as those of Europeans; that evory. effort should bo jUuuie ia individualise Uuiir )wi\ nad

that, where individualised, such . land . should be liable for rates/with powcrß of : distraint; that wlicro areas are held in' common, the Government should bo liable for rates, such rates to bo a charge on the land. Tho Government to have power '.' to take over such lands, with the exoop-, tion of cultivatablo reserves, at a valua-' tiou, the purchase money being held in trust for. such' Natives, as can prove their interest. Mr. Matheson considered the past lethargy of our Leirislaturo in this matter was a disgrace to New Zealand. Total individualisation could be accomplished within tho space of two or three years. He agreed with Mr. Birch that the individualisation would not be absolute, but could be effected in Borne cases by means of a sort of ledger accounj; showing tho ' amount of interest held by each owner. Ho urged the holding of public meetings in every district where unused Native lands existed, in order to arouse public opinion.':

Mr. Eweri Campbell said the Maoris were anxious to eet their lands individualised, but were disheartened _by tho ' delays •of tho Courts. The Maoris were an ill-used raco. They were, he knew; unpopular, because they did not pay rates, but that 1 was not their fault.' They could not pay rates when they did not own their land. (Hear, hear.) / Mr.; Lane (Hawke's Bay) said: the effect of the amendment would apparently bo to bring Native lands under the Lands for Settlement Act, which would bo a very desirable result. The references to the disheartening delays of the Native' Land Court he : could confirm from knowledge of his. own district.' Native' Land' Courts could be abolished arid their duties bo better carried out by the Land Boards. ,■■.-

Mr. Richards (Levin) said in his district, even though tho. Maori; lands were mostly already individualised, tho local bodies could not recover the rates levied upon' them. A few of .the bettor-class Natives paid, but m regard to the others, their names were struck off the books of arrears after their rates .had been two years owing. ■ .'.''. .' 'Mr. Maxwell (Taranaki) considered that the sale of Native,lands.could be effected by the Government: at once; and individualisation proceeded with afterwards, the' proceeds of the'-sale ibeing banked meanwhile'.' • N.ot one per cent, of Maori owners were farming their land. :. ■'.' •■■' : ' ■•";■■ .■■•

-Tho president', said jit' appeared that under the law which now governed the Maoris, if one Maori (or more likely his wife) cultivated a crop of potatoes,..all "tho other owners in common with him., came' to-share] tho crop*' It was not likely, under such a system, that the unfortuna'te Maoris were going to cultivate. >It would probably be' satisfactory if the letting of-these reserves should be vested in tho I'ubliC Ti-ustee.',. Farmers 'must- hot' forget that there ...was' a. ; ■;, "whito man's burden,-';: and: they 'must'.do 'nothing ,tli«t; would injure' them;... There was another view: of. the 'question to.ibo-considofed.' Had wo not guaranteed tothe Maori, through tino' Treaty of Waitahgi,; his -complete .right .to' his owiiilaud? Would it not be an.infringement- of- that/Treaty if wn 'passed a Lands for-'Settlement. Act in regard (to 'V Native lands? ■-, , -•' . ...■■',

; Mr.' A. E. Russell (treasurer)':,- Of. course it would be an. infringement, but no mord so than wheal taken.fronv us ; under the Lands for Settlement Act. (Hear, hear.) '..■'. ,:- ,-■ -~: ■:;■-, <-, ••'. .- '. .- . The: president,', in further/ remarks, saidit was perhaps a' misfortune that tlio Native *larids. administration was inv the'■: hands of a, Maori Minister. Ho. -naturally looked upon ancldealt. with-tho, question from- a' ,Nativo point.of view,'and that'point of view was one of taihoa. He did not know that bo could 6ay; exactly wk'o would make a good Native Minister;" :.;,.,.." .".-.'.■ ;.. ;.,. ~, " ;

y Mr. Ewen'Campbell: A business man. - '. 'The president said tho.'; salvation of tho 'Maori'race depended on ( work. The Maori naturally: disliked wo'rk 1 ■'; as; .much ■ as . Euro-. :peahs did, but when he worked, ho., a first-class axeman'arid'.milker. But to oe' made aworkor the Maori'must have security of - tenure'..' ; :•'.' '.',': -~,- '■- •

; : Mr;. Cooper (Advisory Committee) 1 said when it: was, remembered "that .the Native lands of the North 1 Island' consisted of an i area about'equal to the, Wellington province, or';that,'tho Native-lands fit.'for cultivation 'wore equal, in,, area',to;'#o, lands/,.,(jf,'.Canterbury. fit •■ for - the' .- same .purpose,' - arid 'that this Native land -was occupied by, only 40,000. Natives, they'.would, realise 'tho, great need of a'prompt settlement of the question, The people of New Zealand 'should! demand it, ''.'. Mr. Evans and other speakers carried on che discussion; ;:;';;V : .''>'..■■■'■'■ ..■■'■ '''•■' ; Colonel Bell, witlidre,w the original motion in favour'of'Mr. Birch's amendment, which was then.carried •;_; ''■■;' Mr. Matheson-. suggested that a committco should bo set up to.'nctiv.ely.push forward their policy for the • settlement; of' Native lands.'■■. ';;;' .■ • .' : , ■"•''.■•"■'■•"•• ■'.-'■'.. .;■.■'■-•■ , .Mr. Leadfey: Get somebody: to draft a Bill and have it introduced in the House.." •'.' Discussion of this point was deferred till to-day. :; -; •■ ■' ;■•/; : ■■'■./■ . ''■'.'■■ : : '■ ■:■■ , ■;" : Other; remits on 1 tie subject] of Native lands were .withdrawn. i,. -.■'. -~-■ ,\ ■■■>•■•■'■■■.'.■ -,- ■-.-. — ■■■ <■■'.-'.■ , UNIMPROVED. VALUATION. ; Colonel 801 l (Auckland) moved:—' 'i ;. That this conference again emphatically protests against the' continued in-- ■ : crease being made by-the Government "Valuation Department on the unimE roved value of the rural lands of tho ominipn, and against, tho system which enables the valuation W bo increased at • : the .cost of the.settlors',, improvements.y- ---.-' Mr.'Jones (Taranaki) secbuded. / Mr. Birch (Wellington), moved an amendment:— :..;,,. '-,'.. ■; ~' ':.■ :v. ■.' That thepresent system of land taxation upon the. so-called unimproved : .; value should bo abolished, and all tax'a-; ,; tiott of land should bo on the basis of ': capital value.: ;■'•','.•;: ' '•.''■ '-'• ':' Mr. Middlefon , seconded. • Tho question was discussed at considerable, length, the conference being-much divided as to the expediency, of the proposed change to capital value taxation. / v ' ■ Tho president a communication from -the Rongotea branch opposing tho, proposed , change on the ground that the subiect had not }ot been' dismissed by the- branches, and for other reasons. ,'.:,. - • .-'Mr'..'Evans'-'''(Canterbury),: Mr, Russell (treasurer), Mr. Lane (Hawkc's Bay), and Mr; Matheson (Wellington) ■; were prominent; in tho discussion, which was followed by tho withdrawal' from the present' conference of the amendment of Mr. Birch; Tho motion of Colonel Bell was carried. excessive' land values. Mr. D'Arcy Chaytor (Marlborough) moved: That' it bo a recommendation to tho Dominion "Executive, that the Dominion : Conference protest to the Valuation' Department as to the excessive values placed on properties,;-r/rincipally based' on the very high rates ruling in tho past two years for produce. .'■ Ho complained that valuations in' a whole district. were often based on isolated, sales of properties *at fancy values, sucb as )vhere a neighbour bought a section to add to his

Mr. Clothier mentioned instances of farmers who had been ruined by farming, and predicted that if wheat went down to 2s. 6d. a bushel and wool to 6d. and 7d. a pound thousands of farmers would go under, becaiiso they had paid too muchfor thoir land. The motion was carried.' .'.'■'.. ' Mr. Clothier (Canterbury) moved:— ''■', ••' ■ That the present system of land valuation is unsatisfactory, .alid that tho local bodice bo empowered to appoint a local valuor to work in conjunction \r>th thd Government valuor. - Tho motion was defeated on a show of hands; .'■ ' / . :'■•■•'' ~- ; The confpfonco will bo resumed to-day. PHOSPHOL EMULSION tones up tho eyetorn. Makes it proof against cold and attendant ills, and is. better than beef as a body builder, ." •' *,-.-' '■'■: \ ■•' ,'■".' ' .'" . 'i Tho announcement by tho 'Transvaal Treasurer that nearly £1,500,000 from tho Government surpluses will be spent on public works has caused satisfaction. That ■' thocurrent financial year will be onei of unusual activity and ; prosperity is regarded as certain. The "Iland Daily Mail", urges that public works > be, carried ' out , with whito labour, so that all tho unemployed may bo absorbed. .;,':..,:.: ... For Chronic Chest Complaints, • Woods 1 Gisat XBaMuaiai Qsw, 14 6&» to. 64