FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 903, 29 May 1903, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Christchurch, hist night.

The Farmers’ Union North Canterbury Executive this morning adopted trio report to lie discussed at tho Provincial Council, viz., “ That in tho opinion of this Conference, compulsory preference and other excessive demands of trades unionism adversely affect all classes of tho farming community alike, and should ho oppused by the Farmers’ Union ; that they would have a tendency to increase charitable aid and bo detrimental to industrial progress iu tho colony.” At the Conference tho President (Air G. W. Headley) said, with out being a prophet of evil, ho did not think the farmers could expect the prosperous conditions of the past two years to continue.

Later.—At the Farmers’ Conference this afternoon a resolution was carried asking the Colonial Conference to recommend a remedy for tho shortage of farm labor, and that the Council he recommended to reconsider its decision in regard to freedom of contract. Alotions from Ashburton in favor of the establishment of a weekly paper, and that the Union should bo registered under tho Industrial Arbitration Act, were withdrawn. At the evening session the Conference carried a resolution that the sheep tax is excessive, and should ho reduced. On a motion that tho Conference objects to compulsory preference to trade unionists the Executive submitted a long report, objecting to compulsory preference, and giving reasons against it. Discussion was adjourned till the morning in order to give members an opportunity of considering tho report. It was resolved to urge Government to appoint an agent in South Africa to advise farmers regarding the shipment of produce. A motion was carried that Crown reserves should bo placed on the same terms as other land in regard to fencing and taxation. It was resolved to strongly oppose an increase of taxation on implements and machinery in order to assist local trusts and combines.

Timo.ru, last night. The annual Provincial Conference of the South Canterbury Executive of the Now Zealand Farmers’ Union opened at Titnaru this morning. Air E. Acton, President, presided. Delegates were in attendance

from six branches. The balance-sheet disclosed a credit balance of £lO 17s Bd. In bis opening address, the President deprecated the idea that the Union was antagonistic to the Government, and emphatically protested against preference for unionists irj agricultural pursuits. At the morning sitting a resolution was carried that if the Union is to continue, it must change its constitution to enable each provincial district to be registered as a Farmers’ Industrial Union of Employers under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. Later.—Mr E. Acton was re-clectcd president. A bundle of remits from the branches were reduced to the following : (1) If the union is to continue the constitution must he changed to permit each provincial district to register as an industrial union of employers ; <2) no legal preference to unionists should be given in agricultural or pastoral labor employments ; (3) the attention of Government be drawn to the scarcity of farm labor; (4) that a protest he made against the extortionate charges for accident insurance

for agricultural employees ; (5) that future meetings of the Colonial Council be field alternately in the South and North Island; (6j that a rule be amended by striking out Clause B (which makes farm laborers eligible as members); (7j that rule 2 be expunged as not followed in practice ; (8) that efforts be made to re-

tain agricultural and pastoral experts even at higher salaries ; f9j that steps be taken to prevent the extension of the franchise to non-ratepayers in local bodies elections ; (10) protests against extortionate charges made for agricultural employees ; (11) that the Act should be amended to allow a representative of the farming interests to be appointed an additional member on the Conciliation Board and Arbitration Court, It was proposed to amend rule 14, to expunge prohibition and political discussions, but no resolution was moved, it being understood that delegates wiil support an amendment of the rule.