N.Z. FARMER'S UNION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2465, 19 May 1915, Page 8

N.Z. FARMER'S UNION

PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS (By Tcleeraph.—Special Correspondent.) Paliiatua, May 18. The annual conference of Hie Wellington. Provincial District of the Now Zealand Farmers' Union was opened to-day by the president, Mr. Thomas Moss, of Eketahiinii, ami there were about 50 delegates present.

The president,, in welcoming the delegates, said it was no light responsibility following in . tho steps of the late president, Sir James Wilson, and regretted tho latter was unable to be present. He eulogised the work of the late president, his influence, and ability, and said he had always given his services ungrudgingly. Ho advocated that Sir James Wilson should still be allowed to retain the presidentship, tho vice-president to preside at meetings.

He instanced the great patriotism of the AVairarapa farmers, who had coma long distances at the recent gathering, and credited tho union with being a thoroughly live organisation. The Indent Association had been of great value during the present war in handling a lot of stuff required by the authorities.

Patriotism of Farmers. The president spoke in a very patriotic strain 'Of our boys who had "left thoir homes and business and faced heavy odds, lighting manfully and well, and had accomplished gallant achievements. Tho Farmers' Conferences had always been patriotic, and he instanced how former conferences had requested the Government to contribute more to tho defenco of the Empire, and the subsidy as a result had been increased to .£IOO,OOO per annum. Then, in regard to Sir Joseph Ward's gift battleship, tho farmers had swept pnrty aside and supported it. Tbo farmers also supported the compulsory military training scheme, although it meant a little'hardship on some of them.

Prosperity of the Country. Ha went on to instance the happy conditions of the country contrasted with those in the Old Land, and declared he was sorry to say that we were setting .exceptionally good prices for our produce, but qualified this statement by stating that it had been suggested that ail attempt should be made to regulate prices so that people would not be exploited. He did not think any farmer would object to a fair price for their produce provided the British Government aud the masses at Home got the benefit. He then went on to deal with the conferences with tho freezing aud shipping companies in Wellington. The union had applied to the Prime Minister asking if a farmers' representative could attend, but got no reply. He alluded to the action taken by the union. As .regards the meat producers' position, thero had been some exception to the farmers J attitude in this matter, but he contended that it was the duty of the union to assist' farmers. He touched on the difficulty in getting ships to carry our produce. The position had been very difficult, but they had been overcome.

Mr. Moss next dealt with the agitation of City organisers to form labourers into unions. He opposed the preference clause, and Mr. Justice Stringer recently stated he was opposed to the preference clause, but it had been left as a legacy by previous Courts. Preference was not a question of ability, but- whether a man was or was not a unionist.

Harbqur Board Elections. The system of electing members of tho Wellington Harbour 'Board wiis uext referred to, and ho pointed out. how farmers were greatly affected. Ho dealt with the personnel of the board, and held ithat the farmers were not sufficiently represented. He criticised the voting power at harbour board elections. He concluded with a reference to the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, the "Farmers' Union Advocate," and greater encouragement to agricultural education.

War Taxation. A remit from tho Feilding branch created, considerable discussion. The remit was as follows: ''That the Union, impress upon the Government the necessity of making a special war tax on land and on income graduated, giving both on land and incomes a reasonable exemption. The mover contended that 'tho tax ou exports and imports as suggested would be a hardship oil farmers, fliey were getting very high prices for their produce, but many of thein were giving freely to the fund. AVhat was desired was that a fair tax should be imposed in times ot stress as well as prosperity. ■Mr. Matheson (Eketanuna) thought the ivoril "wages" should bo included, 60 that the proposal would mean a graduated tax on. income and include cveryb'jlr". Morrison (Jlasterton), who seconded the resolution, said any tax should bo put on to tho shoulders of those who could afford to pay. It would not be fair to put men under a disadvantage; the men who would pay were tho men who should pay. The president deprecated any distinction being made as to bachelors or in other directions, as all that the conference should do was to ailirui the priu"jlr. Robinson (Wanganui) moved' the following amendment: <tr l'liat tho Governriient be urged, in the-eveut of a war tax being necessary, that it lie so made that it will press equitably on. al) members oi the community." Mr. A. D. M'Leod (Martmborough) urged that all taxation be on the basis of ability to pay. There should be no individualism. , , ~ Mr Matheson said that wages should b 0 included in 'the taxation. He held that to exempt anyone from this Ux would mean putting a man out of the bounds of citizenship. Tho amendment was carried and the remit thrown out.

Some of the Resolutions. The following resolutions wero discussed- That pressure bo brought to bear on the Railway Department to Induco it to l-emovo the differential tariß on imported timber, more especially haruwood; that the attention of the Railway Poapartuient be drawn to the unnecessary delay in the delivery of goods of loss tnan one truck load; that special legislation be provided giving the first preference at land ballots to men serving with the Jixpeditiouaiy Forces on certain conditions; also that the Government, be urged to set aside blocks of Crown laud which cou,d only be balloted for by returned soldiers; that country districts have morn repro-• sentation. on harbour board, and iccoiu-1 mend that county and borough representations should bo entirely separate: that provincial executives appoint inspection coui m fit tecs to; visit wharves in their respective provinces once a month, and suggesting improvements for handling produce. There was a long discussion conc«rning the Californian thistle, several speakers assorting that the weed was not detrimental, but was useful as fodder. Mr. Pope, of the Agricultural Department, addressed tho conference on the subject. , , It was resolved that tho Government be requested to experiment for the eradication of the weed by way of inoculation. Tlu conference also approved of the proposals for amending the National Endowments Act; that the Government be requested to take over the control of tho pig-weighing scales ait railway t-tatious; that the Minister ol' Lands be urged .to acuuiro a block of laud for sale adjoining Moumahaki State i&rin; that the Board of Agriculture be urged to press for tlie establishment of an Agricultural High School in Wellington province. It was resolved that, in view of the damage done to roads by motor lorries competition with tho railway loss of revenue being caused thereby, the Government be asked to reduce railway chargcß on spirits used for motive power. There was a considerable debate on the remit from Marton that the Union approach the auctioneering firms with a view to having the selling commissions on stock reduced and at tho same time made uniform throughout tho Wellington province, failing which steps be taken to start co-operative auctioneering company in tho Wellington province, Further consideration was deferred till to-morrow, when Mr. Leigh Hunt will

Trading Association .and tho Farmers' Cooperative Institutions. It was resolved that it he a recommendation to the directors of tho Farmers' Mutual Insurance Association that in future no insurances at reduced rates bo accepted from persons who are not financial members of the Union. The delegates were entertained at a banquet to-night by the local branch.