FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 423, 23 May 1902, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, last night. The Conference of the Otago District Farmers' Union was oponod to-day. Mr R. Craig presided. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £66. Mr H. Buckland, of Waikouaiti, was elected President for the next term, and on taking the chair he read the platform which had been approved of by oxccutivo. This provides that all holders of land on lease, including land under the Lands for Settlement Act, should havo the right to purchase after tho improvement conditions havo been complied with ; that tho present exemption of £SOO from taxation be maintained; that Assessment Courts under tho Land and Income Tax Assessment Act be presided over by a Stipendiary Magistrate and two assessors, one appointed by the Government and tho other by the local branch of tho Farmers' Union ; that the Government be recommended that applications for old age pensions should be considered by a Board consisting of S.M., Chairman of County Council, and Mayor or Chairman of Road Board ; that it be a recommendation to Government to afford every assistance in bringing about closer commercial union between Great Britain and the colonies ; that the system of single electorates bo adopted; that it be a recommendation that in adjusting the electoral boundaries, natural boundaries and features, as well as community of interest, be studied. It was decided to refer the matter of labelling shoddy goods to the Colonial Council; also the question of poisoning small birds in boroughs.