The Felding Star. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1890.

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 58, 1 November 1890, Page 2

The Felding Star. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1890.

A Farmers' Union « In consequence of the universal formation of unions in the colony among the laboring classes, the farmers and traders in Otago have awakened to their own interests, and are taking steps to form an organisation having for its objects the resumption of that share of political power they have lost by their own apathy and indifference. We are informed by our contemporary the Dunedin Star, a general meeting of the New Zealand Farmers' Union has been held during this week in Dunedin under the presidency of Mr Wentwood ; the primary purpose being the adoption of constitution and rules, and the consideration of a political platform. The objects of the Union are declared to be to unite "the farmers of New Zealand for their protection against any injurious legislation and combination of capital, and the tyranny of monopoly ; to support the election of candidates for seats in Parliament who are thoroughly in sympathy with the farmers' interests, and to keep members of Parliament posted up in matters to advance tho legitimate interests of the boua fide producer." This is a verjr sensible programme and as there is little doubt that it will be universally accepted, candidates for country electorates will have to fix themselves accordingly, and be prepared, if elected, to consider their first duty to be towards the promotion of the staple industries of the Colony irrespective of party ties. An opinion was expressed by Mr McGregor that it is time "this farce of party politics was abolished, and something more simple, more adapted to the circumstances of the country, devised in its stead." Mr J. Green also spoke out plainly. "He was going," he said, ll to ignore the circumstance of whether a candidate professed loyalty to Sir Harry Atkinson or Sir Robert Stout, or any other man. He wanted a candidate who would give support to the principles of the Union irrespective of wretched party ties, the following of which hud done the country so much harm." The political platform settled at the meetin £ was, in its main points, very sensible. In the first place, I'rotection was unequivocally condemned, a« being altogether inimical to the farmer

and working directly against the in* crease of population. We have always pointed out that a most unfair proportion of the burthen of a high tariff falls upon ihe rural and mining: cla&sett, who absolutely receive from it no benefit whatever. It is surprisiug that they have been content ao long to tulerate being mulcted for the propping- up of industries which without, adventitious aid cannot, it would appear, be oarried on profitably, and which, instead of being of service to the community at large, are a source of undoubted evil in congesting the population of the towns and attracting labor from more legitimate pursuits. Not a single one of the blessings predicted by the advocates of this policy has come about, and tho ranks of the unemployed and discontented are almost entirely recruited from the very classes who, it was so confidently stated, would 09 immediately and permanently benefitted. The Farmers' Union is in favor of the retention of the Property Tax as against a Land and Income Tax, and any attempt at such substitution will, no doubt, be steadfastly resisted by all classes who live on the land directly or indirectly. If this movement extends to this pan of the colony we feel assured it will receive the hearty co-operation of the farmers and settlers. Men like Mr Bell, of Kairanga, and Mr John Saxon, of Fotatau, and others of like calibre who have the courage of their opinwould be valuable helpers, and when the time comes we shall expect to see them taking a prominent position in the battle.