FARMERS’ UNION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 245, 11 July 1921, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION

THIS MONTH’S DOMINION CONFERENCE WIDE RANGE OF REMITS Over 200 remits, one coming up for consideration at the .twentieth annual Dominion Conference of the New Zealand Fanners’ Union, which will open at the Dominion Farmers’ Institute on Tuesday, July 26.

Amongst the remits bearing upon land legislation is one from Auckland which urges that the occupiers of all leasehold land bo granted the option of buying the same. Auckland also recommends that the granting of tho freehold of national endowments lands be made retrospective, so that present occupiers shall have the right to obtain the same, that all third-class Crown lands be thrown open for selection under tho homestead system; and that, in order to facilitate the settlement of Native lands tho Government be urged to lift the proclamation off the same after two years.

A remit from Taranaki urges that the Minister’s attention be drawn .to tho faat that there are large blocks of Native land in Taranaki, already individualised, at present not producing at anything like full capacity, and that the Government be urged to acquire them, giving preference of application to returned soldiers.

Several remits will be tabled urging that the Government be asked .to abolish the super-tax on land. It will Ixi also proposed that tho Government be asked to repeal the law imposing income tax on farmers in so far as it applies to their farming transactions, -and that the whole question of taxation should be considered by a commission of experts with a view to placing on a. more equitable basis the cost of government.

Touching the moratorium, Hawke’s Bay will move: —

That 'owing to the main primary products of the Dominion being at present practically worthless, the Government be asked to extend the moratorium for such further period as it may consider necessary after December 31, 1921, more especially with respect to fixed mortgages. A remit from South?md suggests that the conference should impress upon the Government the urgent necessity of taking such steps as are, necessary to prevent an.v further rise in bank interest rates; while an Otago remit recommends that pressure bo brougnt to bear to compel tho Bank of New Zealand to pay reasonable interest on current accounts, "as is done in other countries.” As regards the Customs tariff, the most interesting remit comes from Nelson, as follows:— That as the United States Government has passed a Tariff Bill which practically means an embargo on all primary products of this Dominion entering their country, this conference ■urges the Government to pass a retaliatory measure against all manufactured articles imported from the States. Both the Wellington and Wairarapa unions recommend that strong objection be raised to the proposed increase of duty on American timber, also increase of preference rates on railway. The institution of some form of cooperative agricultural banking suitable to conditions in New Zealand, is iecommended in a Taranaki remit. Several remits support the -suggested establishment of a producers’ shipping line, while remits will Do tabled, some for’and others against, the cstablishof a farmers’ political party. Wellington, Wairarapa, and Hawke’s Bay each urge that in tho interests of small growers especially, lhe regulations prohibiting the same lot of wool from being offered more than twice at auction bo rescinded. The following are some of the remits to be moved in connection with dairy matters:-—-That in view of the great importance of improving the dairy cattle, and raising the standard of butter-fat, the Government be urged to procure the best sires possible, by -purchasing abroad if necessary such sires to be mated with selected cow* at the Government farms, and young bulls distributed to fanners. —(Auckland.) That in view of tho considerable increase of contagious abortion, niammitis, and failure of conception in cattle, the Government be urged to extend its endeavours in the matter of research. ißuller.j That tho Board of Agriculture be urged to prohibit cattle being shifted from the North to the South Island unless Quarantined for sufficient time to prevent them carrying the cattle tick, »■’ fho South Island is free at present, anil tho trouble ie spreading in the North Island. —(Otago.) That cows culled from a dairy herd for lack of butter-fat production be branded with a permanent brand by the Government stock inspector, in order to prevent their purchase by other dairymen.—(Marlborough.) That the Government be urged to have all the herds in the South Island compulsorily tested by the stock inspector for tuberculosis, reasonable market value to be paid as. compensation for cattle condemned.— (Marlborough ) Adverting to phosphates, the Southland Union recommends that farmers should undertake ••> combined method of getting consignments from ‘.ho Government of Nauru Island phosphate. The main arterial roads question is revived in a remit from Auckland. Included among other remits are tire following:— That tho Government be urged to extend the present scheme of practical and theoretical training in agriculture for l?oys from 16 years to 18 years of age, and also provide better facilities for the holding of short courses for farmers and school teachers.—(Auckland.) That tho Farmers’ Union. Sheepowners’ Union, and other producers’ unions and associations be asked at * his critical time to combine and form oire producers’ assoc’alma. —(Marlborough.) That this conference be urged to request. tho Deminion executive to inaugurate a publicity campaign, and that a Dominion levy be struck to tear vest of same.—(Southern Hawke’s Bay.) That Parliament be urged to act at tho very earliest moment with n mew to a reform in connection with the water front conditions of ’shour.- (Several unions.) That legislation giving preference to unionists has proved rr.cst unsatisfactory, and in the interests of ‘he coin niunity it is desirable that the Act should be repealed (Several unions.) Noxious w“e<ls. trusts, freezing companies' charges, rabbits, rural postal and telegraph facilities, and local government matters are also the subject of rem i to.