FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1504, 12 July 1905, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

©a &om ®mi%« Vow&tfxt Wellington, yesterday. The Farmers’ Union annual Oonferenco 1 opened to-day. Mr d". G. Wilson, the president, presided. Delegates from all pares of the colony were present. Tho President, in his annual address, said the year had been one of progress* The membership had increased, but not by so many as should have been the case. Farmers recognised that the Union had been of great servioe to them in many ways, but to secure them as members thero would have to be instituted, a thorough system of canvass. The President expressed surprise at the description of tbe Trades and Labor Councils’ demands for revaluation of all leases as a counterblast to the Union plat* form, and he urged that where producers* aod consumers’ interesto were so closely connected, and where the leaders were fair men, there was a great hope of intercourse, allaying any feeling of antagonism. The year had been a prosperous one for farmers. After referring to the good prices ruling, he urged dairy farmers to adopt the most approved methods. He touched on the question of freights, in which they hoped for a reduction, and also referred to the question of sugar-growing, and submitted that this: was a question that required attention. The question of the attitude of the Union at the next general election must be most carefully considered and instructions given *to the incoming Executive as to what steps to take to lay the Union’s views before tho country and find out the views of various candidates 'as to the Union’s platform, and whether they can support it or not, so that the Fxeoutive may, according to the rules, advise members which candidates they should vote for. A special vo6e of thanks to the president for his address was carried with acolanaa-* tion. The Conference re-affirmed the motion that the Government be urged to so amend the Land Act as to give Crown tenants the option of purchasing the freehold of their land at the original value and payment of the difference between the 4 per cent, now charged on lease in perpetuity and 5 psr cent, charged . tenants with the right of purchase

, Wellington, last night Mr Birch (Wellington) moved that Go vernment be urged to eo amend the Land Act as to give Crown tenants the option of purchasing the freehold of their land at th 6 original value and payment of the difference between 4 per cent, now charged on a lease in perpetuity and 5 per cent, charged to tenants with the right to purohase. 'The mover said they simply asked to be allowed to pay a capital aura instead of continuing to pay interest. If they agreed to revaluation they would be consenting to robbery of tenants, and would be giving land nationalises the right to say they had no right to unearned more* meet of our laud. Mr McQueen (Southland) said freeholders were more likely to make good use of the land than leaseholders. The President said if it was going to be left to the electors to decide the question of tenure, the Union would have to take a determined stand. The motion was carried. It was resolved that payment of compensation for improvements made by surface sowing of pastoral runs under Government lease be urged, also that all Government land put on the market in fnture be thrown open on the optional system. Other resolutions passed were that the Land Act be amended so as to include the old deferred payment system; that while affirming the principle of the freehold, the Conference is opposed to aggregation, and will support any reasonable legislation in this direction ; that all tanants under the West Coast Settlement Reserves’ Acts be allowed the option to secure the freehold ; that the Conference condemns the enforcement of the residence olause in the case of Crown leases till such time as means of communication by way o! roads and bridges have been provided. A disonssion took place on the question of the Union’s position in regard to P °Mr°Barge3s (Taranaki) said they should not be afraid to make a stand. He moved that the Union should take a strong political attitude, and strenuously oppose (hose candidates at the general election who are opposed to its platform and support those candidates who will endorse it irrespective of parties. • Mr Wely (Auckland) said that unless they went into politics properly they would be just as helpless as the eountry party had always been. The President said he could never agree that they should take sides in party polities. They would lose their position by doing so* ■4i Mr Stubbs (Palmerston North) said the feeling in Manawatu was that the Union did not take a sufficient stand in politics. They did not want a country or farmers’ party, but they wanted to indicate which was the better of the two candidates. In the past they had bean spineless. They only talked. Mr Hodgson (Taranaki) said if they did not take a decided stand a death blow would be struck at the Union in his province. . . . During further discussion the. opinion was expressed that the Provincial .Executive should be given discretion. An amendment was moved “ That, say, five leadiDg questions should be adopted bv the Colonial Executive to be asked of oil candidates in writing ; that not more than three further questions may bo added bv the Provincial Executive relating to mere local questions. On receiving answers tho Provincial Executive shall recommend the candidate who has given i most satisfactory answers, such answers to be communicated to each branch, which will bo recommended to use all means in its power for the return of such candidate. The debate was adjourned until the following day.