FARMERS REQUESTS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1768, 5 June 1913, Page 5

FARMERS REQUESTS.

ATTITUDE OF THE PREMIEK. (By Telegraph.—Pres3. Association.) Auckland, June i. Several matters which were the subjc-ct of discussion at tho. Farmers' Union Conference in Auckland were brought under the notice of the Prime Minister to-day by a deputation from the uniun. Tho first 1 Tequest was made by Mr. M'Cutcheon, ■ who asked for an amendment of the. tarilf go as to abolish tho present 20 per cent, duty on iron fencing-posts. Tne repeal of Ue Agricultural Implements Sales Act was requested 'by Captain Colbcck, who asked that farming machinery should bo placed on the free list. The same speaker eaid the union was opposed to .the suggested increase in tho duty on .boots and slioes, and expressed tho hope that the Government would not be induced to put an export duty on hides. Ho furtuer asked for the fomoval of tho duly on steam-rollers. A protest agaMst difterential rating on the railways was also made. In connection with tho Board of AgriCulture, the deputation asked that representatives might bo selected from the farmers' Union. In'reply, the Prirao Minister said that frire being free of duty, he thought it only right that iron posts should also b» free. He would give Parliament an opportunity of making it freo. The Government intended, during the coming session, to ask Parliament to do away with a number of anomalies in the tariff. There was no intention of asking for authority to impose an'export duty on hides. As steam-rollers/ 'Miy'Massoyreaid they should undoubtedly be free of duty. Regarding tho suggestion that duties on boots and nhocs should be raised, Mr. Masscy said ho did not tiiink the Government would be inclined to increase any duties. The question of differentiation in the railway rating should, Mr. Masscy promised, be one of the very first matters referred to the new general • manager on his arrival in about threo months' time. The Prime Minister, replying to the request regarding representation on tho proposed Board of Agriculture, said ho •would look into the question, and" see if ,!he could give tho farmers' Union representation on tho Board..