N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2186, 26 June 1914, Page 10

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. MANY IMPORTANT REMITS. Tho thirteenth annual Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Farmers' 1 Union will open at tho Dominion headquarters, National -Mutual Buildings, Customhouse yuny, on Tuesday, July 21. Tho Dominion president, Mr. J. G. Wilson, will preside. Over 100 remits have heeii received from the, various, brunches, (but tliis year remits • having a similarity of purpose are embodied in mo motion, t,, facilitate dis- / cu&sion; Some- of the moro important remits are as follow:— Land Laws. Auckland and Canterbury: '.'That this conference protests against the present system of land valuation on tho following grounds: (1) That the unimproved value is forced -up at tho expense of improvements; (2) that in valuing improvements sufficient allowance .is not l'.iide for tho costs and loss of revenuo incurred in preparing tho land lor cul-. tivation." ■ Taranaki: "That tho government amend tho Valuation Act in-the direction of having the whole of special loans ' classed as improvements,. the . deduction of tho unpaid-portion;' only being allowed and each property.. owner's share, be. ascertained by capitalising tho special rate paid." Nelson: "That tho Government bo urged not to add.the survey fees -totho price of tho secuci.s of land thrown open for settlement, and"that the successful applicant bo not called -upon to pay tho survey fees." Taxation. Taranaki: "That,this conference cannot, see any valid'reason why money invested in land should' be'.taxdd differently, to money invested-in'other industries, .but if.it is hot .taxed 'hi this manner, tho tax as indicated in tho i'tinit previously sontf t:. tho Dominion Conference be adopted, ..viz:: That as .the) present system-, of valuing land for .taxation purposes'ha3 proved a complete failure, owing to tlie impossibility of accurately separating tho improved from the unimproved' value, this conference considers a ( --much fairer .aud much simpler way would bo to tax on the annual value, with the snmo exemptions as capital, invested -.in other industries, tho annual vnliio to be 5 per cent, of tho capital yaliib7' Southland: "That vthis conference objects to tho further' increase in the graduated land tax,- as it is beginning to press unduly oiv'the-small farmer." Auckland: "That- this- conference would urge the Dominion,. Executive to watch closely any attempt by" interested parties to further increase the Customs duties on farmers' requirements, and to take every opportunity to press for inductions and removals of any duties which place undue burden;, on the farming industry." ' "That tho'tariff on wheat : and flour between New Zerjland' and Australia should bo uniform." "That the conl'eronce draws the attention of the Government to tho deisirability ,of oaicouragiiig ■,trading reciprocity within the Empire." Dsfenoe. , "■' Southland and Taranaki: '"Hiat this conference approves- tho. present system of military training,'and would protest against a proposal to substitute the barracks system tor training camps, but would support a proposal to inako tho camps of »t permanent nature dur. in;.; the day so that tlu men could attend at any, period of tho 'iyear ■ for t'lt'.ining." ' Tnivitiaki: "That this conference, whilo aliirining tlie..position that New Zoal.uid should w.ntributo its fair- share towards tho dei'enco of the' Empire, is of opinion that the proposed change of policy in regard to tho naval subsidy is such an all-important matter, . and fraught with such serious and far-reach-ing results, that the Dominion should not finally bo committed until the matter has been more fully discussed." Railway Rates. Many remits deal with the rates on different products. A reduction on the rates for kerosene and benzine is nsked ; and also the abolition of the extra rate on imported coal and .timber. Tho shortage of trucks is also the subject of a Wellington remit. Legislative. Auckland.—"That the Dominion Conference bo again asked, to appoint a committee to consider aud draft a scheme of Government'by Elective Executive for this country, in-order that the Farmers' Union may be able to enter on an active campaign to bring this principle clearly before the electors of the Dominion." Otago.—"That no reform of the Legislative' Council will bo satisfactory which endangers the country quota, which does not provide for *simult;ni«cus election of members of -bo/h, Houses, and which does not provide for' an appeal to the country in case of a deadlock between the House and the '< Legislative Council." Industrial. Auckland.—"That this conference is of opinion that any constituted body of consumers shall liavo.the rigiit of representation en tho Conciliation Council and Arbitration Court."

"That in tho opinion of this conference it is imperative- that the Arbitration Act bo to amended that provision b:.' made therein that no strike of a union of workers can take place until a secret ballot has been taken wider thesupervision of a Government official." Wellington.—"That some action be taken to do away with, the .'preference clause' in industrial'swards." '. Other Matters. A Southland remit is: "Thai Iho Gov-' eniment be asked to conUnuo the system of .immigrating farm labourers and domestic^." Another remit from tho same source is: "That a tax bo levied on motor vehicles so that the whole cost of keeping tho main arterial roads in good repair (loos not fall on the land occupier." A Wellington and Taranaki remit reads: "That the Government bo requested to .reintroduce tho Stallion Bill on the same linos as that drawn up last session and shelved by tho lipper House." A South Canterbury remit runs:— "That tho New Zealand Farmers' Union claims a right to have a representative on tho_ Board of Agriculture, and that the dairying industry be more fully represented on the board." Sawmillers—"vvo will bo glad to see you at the Mnnawatu Show. Don't fail to's»a our exhibit'- JCfflN CHAMBKE.S AND SON, LTD., Wellington.*

Don't decide upon l.hnt new Oil Engine without seeing u "ltichmond." Apart from its many exclusive points of excellence, the fact that tho "Richmond gained fbe highest- award' in open competition nt the, International- Show should induce you to get particulars from A. J. Partoii, I'luinbfir, Carterton.—Advt.

_ Engineers will spend a profitable time inspecting our splendid exhibit at tne Mannwatn Show. Tnngyc Oil ami Benzine Engines— 'a colossal display. John CbnuiWs and" son, Ltd,, Wellington."