FARMERS CONFER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3097, 30 May 1917, Page 8

FARMERS CONFER

WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL UNION

ANNUAL GATHERING

IN. TERESTING SUBJECTS DISC USSED j

By Telegraph—Special lleportoi'. . .J- - Marton, May 29. The "Wellington , Provincial Conference of tho New , Zealand Fanners' Union was opened jit-Marton to-day. Sir. Thomas Moss, now. , a member of the Efficiency Board, was unable to bo present, and the chair was , taken by Mr. G. L. Marshall (Marton), vice-president. Delegates present are:—Messrs. - W." J.' Birch, (treasurer), Marton; Alexander Howie, Waverley; H. Booth, J. H. Perrett, Feilding; Ewan Campbell, Allan Eobinson, AVauganui; H. A. Kevins, Tinui; W. B. Matheson, Ekcta.huna;. John Balsillie, Palmerston.North; E. Law, Shannon (all members qf the executive); T. I'. Calton, Eketahuna; Alexander Pryde, Nireaha; A. Kidd, Feilding; W. J. Moore, Ma-' knri; A. Stuart, Marton; P. Beard, Marton; Malcolm Maclean, Paraparaumu; It. fi. Gutkrio, Eangiwahia; F. Kirton, Shannon; A. B. Pannin, Taihape; J. Smith, Taihape; A. Elmslie, Wavcrley; P. Brass, AYoimarino; A. Robinson and. J. Allison, Wanganui; G. Sykes, M.P., and A. P. Whatman, Mastertou; 0. Reid, Carterton; Georgo Yule, lTeiitherston; R. Reuall, Gladstone; H. Cooke. Greytowu; If: Doysh, Martinborough; W. Douglas, Tinui; A.Vautier, Whakaronga; A. G. Simpson, Huntcrville; B. S. Penney, Sanson. ' ■

Amongst those who sent apologies is Sh- James "Wilson,, Dominion president.

The Chairman's Address.

..Mr. Marshall, in his opening address, s referred to the war, and New Zealand's part in" it. The. producers, lie said, I were ■willing to stick it out to the last, ' and so were nearly all the peoplo of tho ■! country. Probably most of the fit men .would bo needed for 'the front, and' it should bo tho policy of the authorities not to take the men needed for production. Ho hopod it would be the policy of tho appeal boards to take tho nonessential men first. Ho believed wheat ,io be tho least payable crop to .grow on this coast, but he hoped I'armersi would grow it for the good of tho country. Tho snipping combinations and theoperations by the American Meat Trust needed eaieful consideration, and the industrial -situation should bo -watched. Good should come but of the war, and tlie recent Imperial Conference vas th» first good result.- Out of tho .present darkness and confusion wo would arise. a stronger and a' better race.

Land Aggregation. THe old subject of land aggregation brought tho first discussion. / The Tinui branch, sent tho following

remit: "That legislation be brought down which will bo effective in preventing the aggregation of land bv ni'en alI ready holding Jarge C3tates." N Mr. "W. B. Miitheson (Eketahuna), who said ho was against aggregation, said that he would not voto for tho motion Tor.various reasons. Ono of tho chief of his reasons was that tho-whole tendency of legislation in Now Zealand was toward smaller holdings. Mr. 11. Booth (KeJldiug) said a similar lemit had bcea thrown oiifc by t\io Dominion Conference because, tho neccs-

sary legislation was on tho Statute Book. Mr. 0. Sykes, M.P. (Masterton) said • ho pinned his faith to increased j,taduated tax. . ■ Mr. Ewen Campbell (Wanganui) said

tho fact Mas farmers were iu favour of aggregation, and no oue who could would refrain from buying out his neigkbourauvantageously. 'l'lie remit was rejected.

Butter-Fat Levy. The butter-fat levy described as an iniquity and a class tax, was diseueswl, and a,resolution woe made tA aek the .Government to repeal the levy. Rural Education. On the motion of Mr. W. B. Mathe«on, Eketahuna, the conference resolved that tho Minister of Education be thanked for tho encouragement buing given to rural education by the establishment of bursaries for agricultural students, and that his larger scheme bo.pushed ahead in order to increase the output of the Dominion. Better Roads Wanted. A motion was tabled that locnl bodies be empowered to borrow such sums of money as they may deem, necessary for the construction or improvement of the roads in their districts. Speakers agreed that better and more roods were needed quickly. The motion was carried unanimously. Toll Gates. The Tinui delegates' moved that the Government be requested to so amend the Counties Act that the erection of a toll-gate by a county council would be illegal. It was argued that the toll-gate system was a most expensive way of*collecting money. Opponents of the motion said-that the Taraimki roads, which are excellent, would not be so good if the local bodies had not the power to erect toll-gates. The motion was. heavilv defeated. " " ■ .

The conference resumes on "Wednesday morning.