FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1507, 15 July 1905, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (Par Pikss.Association.). Wellington, yesterday. At the fourth day’s sitting of the Farmers' Union Conference this morning it was resolved : “ That the Government be urged to bring forward as soon as possible legislation promised that would provide for efficient ear-marking ” ; “ that the Small Birds Nuisance Act be amended that towns should pay an equitable share of expense with the country in the deatruc* tion of small birds.” Mr Ritchie, Secretary of the Agricultural Department, who was thanked for his presence, said the Government intended this season to introduce a Seeds Examination Bill, to enable the Department to examine seeds and publish the results of their examinations. The Department was also asking Parliament for more inspectors for blights and fruit. It was resolved “ that the Minister for Education be requested to divide the present Education Board'districts into single electorates;” " that the Conference urge upon the Government the necoasity of consolidation of tho local Government law on the lines laid down by various County Council Conferences.” The first resolution corried was that a universal charge be made for use of telephone communication, irrespective of distance, and, failing securing this, that the charge be for the use of telephone on the actual distance by the most direct route between one station and another. The Conference closed at one o’clock.

Wellington, last night. At the Farmers’ Union the following resolutions were carried :—“ That the Railway Department be urged to allow the Farmers’ Union the same concessions and privileges as Friendly Societies and other bodies.” “ That the system of construction of public works by co-operative labor is against tho best interests of the colony, and that this Conference favors construction by small contracts.” “ That the Executive enquire into the Harbor Boards Acts with a view to having provision made for the representation of farmers.” “That the Government be urged to a properly equipped experimental dairy station in a central position of the North Island.” “ That the Conference urge upon the Government the necessity' of the consolidation of local Government law on lines laid down by various country conferences.” It was decided to hold a summer conference in Christohurch during November, the procedure to be similar to that at the winter conference.

DEPUTATION TO PREMIER. ’.(Pen Psosa Association..;) •» Wellington, last night. A deputation from the Famera' Union waited on - Sir Joseph Ward and laid before him several matters affecting the departments under his care. In the course of his reply Sir Joseph said ho could not hold out any hope of granting the request of farmer's iu regard to eharging for telephone wires by the shortest distance from piece to place. When the railway statement came down they would see that provision was made for a very large increase in the number of trucks. The deputation then waited on Mr Seddon. Replying to representations made, he said hs wished to remove the impression that nothing was being done to settle native lands this session. The Government proposed to cut up native lands independent of who was the owner and allot particular parts for particular natives, and give them an indefeasible, title. Then cut up Burplus lands into suitable sized farms for settlement by Europeans. The Government proposed to make it optional for counties to utilise Government valuations or make valuations of their own for their own purposes, but the Government would retain its own valuers for its taxation. He thought there should be a slight widening of the county franchise, but he was not prepared to go as far as some people wished. The time had arrived when something must be done to Establish a dairy station, but the question of site was difficult to solve.