ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1756, 23 May 1906, Page 2

ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES.

SUICIDE AND SUDDEN DEATHS.

(Per Press Association.)

Wellington, lest night. Gunner J.hn Hay, of the Permanent Artillery, aged 36, shot himself to-day neer Port Halswell, win re be was sta tioned. He leaves a widow and one child

Auckland, last night.

The death is anncuoced of Mrs Edward leasee, rel'ot cf the late Mr Ed, Icaacs, merch'ant, of Aock'aod. Mrs I-asos, who has been ailing for ecme months! was in bet 80th year, and was one of the oldest co'onists in New Zealand, having arrived io Tasmania while quit) a child, She c .me to New ZsalaDd in 1661,

The death of Mrs E. Brigham, wife of Mr J. M, Biigbam, secretary of the Auckland Harbor Board, took place cn Saturday. The deceased lady, who wis abopt 60 of age, was widely known, bnd wSs ever ready to lend a helping hand Ip the ne,edy. ” *

Irglowood, last night. A butch' f natrgd (Jernbolft-r was sitting cn ihe edg < cf a lab'p conversing, when bp suddenly Jell ovpr on to the floor. When picked up he was qui'e dead. It is eup postd heart disease was the cause, Titaaru, last night,

John Ta hen, a farmer m tho BosewiJl Settlement, dropped dtad at Pioasent Point townehip last evtni' g. He h-d attended a stock sale durii g rhe da", aud spparen ly was in good he-lth, tborgh be was'known to have a weak heart, He was 52 years of eg’,

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION.

PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE,

The Provincial Conference of tho Poverty Day Farmers' Union was held at the rooms, Lowe street, on Monday, when the following members were present: — Mr W. K Chambers (Patutahi branch) in the elmir, A. R. Watson, vicePresident, A H. Wallis, treasurer, W. 1). Lvsnar (Gisborne), Elliott (Motu), 11. E. Kent (Tiniroto), J. Hutchinson (Kakauroa', A. it. Watson (Waimata), Heggarty (Wliatatutu), and T. Holden, member of late Executive.

The minutes of the last Conference having been road and adopted the President’s report was submitted by Mr W. K. Chambers, and was as follows : In accordance with the resolution of the last Provincial Conference, the President, vice President and Provincial Secretary have during the past year, endeavored to revive interest in the Union by visiting various branches and districts where no branch was organised We visited among others the Ormond branch, which as a re suit temporarily awoke from its trance, but unfortunately, shortly afterwards returned to its slumbers. We twice visited Te Karaka with the view of holding a meeting, but failed to awaken interest there in the Union, but at Whatatutu we were more successful There was no branch at this place, but one was im mediately formed, and officers were duly elected The apathy displayed by the farmers is much to be regretted ; it is doubtless due in a large measure to the present prosperity of the district, but should this prosperity show signs of passing away there is no doubt that the farmers will then bitterly regret that they did not more cordially support the organisation, through which they could have made their voice heard and their | strength felt To organise and discipline an army just before it is about to take the field of battle is manifestly bad policy, as in times of peace and prosperity we should prepare for war or .adversity It is necessary according to the rules that a resume of the past year’s work should be given to you at this Conference, I may therefore start at the beginning. The resolution of the Itakauroa branch, which commended itself so strongly to the last Conference : “ That the Land Yalua tion Act be amended, so that improve ments such as roads made out of local loans shall not be added to the unim proved value of lands affected,” was duly remitted to the Ministers and Departments of State, but unfortunately, in spite of all the pressure your Executive could bring to bear, the replies were invariably the same, i e , that the matter was under consideration, or that it would be given careful consideration when any amend ments to the Act were brought forward The agitation of the Union in conjunc tion with the various local bodies, on behalf of the railway as suggested at voue last Conference, seems to have boms fruit, as the largest amount which has been voted for the work, was that voted last session. It is satisfactory to know that the present House cf Representatives is supposed to have a majority in favor of the principle of the freehold tenure It is certain that the Union’s attitude upon this most important subject is but imperfectly understood, and that every effort should he made to educate not pnly the farmers, but our brethren in the cities and towns, so that they may realise that we are not advocating a policy which is an ■ tagonistic to their interests That they at present think so is mainly due tq thp idea that the option of the freehold at'original values is advocated for short leases, whereas this is only advocated on these terms for the lease in perpetuity tenants, as on short term leases it would be man! festly unfair to the State The Motu branch's desire with regard to the acquisition of a piece of land for a township and the Motu Opotiki road was energetically supported by your Executive, and we may be congratulated upon our representations with regard to the township being successful and with regard to the Motu Opitiki road being partially Successful The Poverty Bay Union was represented at the'Colonial Conference by Mr Lissaht Clrfyton.' fmd'at that Confer once; Mr Ritclne, 'the SeefetaiT for Agriculture, brought down a scheme for a universal earmark for sheep, which lie asked not only the Colonial Conference, hut all 1 Provincial Executives to discuss aiid' 1 make suggestibns' upon. Your Executive set up'a- Committee to go'into the matter, and the Committee’s suggestions with regard to the position of “ I)is jtrict ” marks, and marks for the “100's ” fits liaek of the ear, were received with much favor by the department and seem likely to be adopted The Delegate's re port' of the Colonial Conference was Qrdered tq be printed and distributed among' tlie Branches. A communication tya? received asking your Executive to fqrmulate a i'qatj policy jqr consideration, and the Committee appointed went ex haustivcly into the subject, and submitted a report which was communicated to all Branches It is regrettable that the at tltude of the doctoral delegates, which represented the branches at the electoral conference, summoned in accordance with the electoral circular issued by the Colonial Executive was in many quarters entirely misunderstood. It had been laid down at every Provincial Conference that the Union should take a more explicit, stand on political subjects, in as far as they touched upon the interests of the Farmers’ Union, and the electoral conference simply en dorsed this view The application forwarded to the Department of Agriculture, t hat an additional vetd-i'nafian should? be appointed to this district,' whom the ’ farmers might' call when required, was refused by the'Dcpaft meat pn'lhe gfpund that the'Government did not dppquit' veterinarians for ’ locq) purposes ' On reflection" this seems rest ,i»9Uablo, gnd the farmers should make every etfot't fo enable fhg provincial Executive to make arrangements to pro euro a suitable veterinarian, who could at the same time organise and enrol mem hors for the Union We fear that this can only he done by members guaranteeing his salary and expenses at the start, as has been done in other districts. A valuable paper was .contributed by Mr C. H Me Cutchan; upon assisted immigration This was forwarded to'every Branch; 'bud'we have as yet not heard from many of them Xis to their opinions Ifuring the past Wij 'year your Executive have been en deavolin'g to comc'to a conclusion'with rq gafd to the mutual'fire insurance scheme, hut various delays have occurred,'first because \ye deemed that this district was too scattered and hardly sfrqug ettqugh at present to start a. society of opr own, and consequently we had to wait until our neighbors in Hawke's Bay had com menced operations ; secondly, it was then deemed advisable to obtain actuarial opinion as to tile scheme, before embark ing upon it, and there has been much delay in the replies to our correspondence. Under the Hawke’s Bay scheme the proposed notes are issued at 2 per cent, on fhc insurance value, of which it is proposed to call up 10s the first year,' 7s gji the second year, and 5s the third The thanks of the Union arp due tp Mr A R. Watson, the vice-president, for attending the Hawke’s Bay Mutual Eire directors’ meeting at Hastings on our behalf. Your Executive have received conlklciitial communications re a reduction in the Accident Insurance rates. These have been forwarded on to the Branch secretaries and the necessary proposal forms, and instructions will follow as soon as they arrive The Union owes a deep debt of gratitude to Mr Win. Morgan for his trouble in lecturing to the various Branches upon rural technical education, and it is much to he regretted that his efforts and the efforts of your Executive have not met with more success in arousing interest among the fanners We have met with every assistance from the high School Board, and your Executive has'guaranteed the'sum' of ’£so'lt) wards jhe salary and expenses of an instructor jf thp fees, gild subsidy frpin flic 'Government does nqt meet the liabilities, but it looks very much as if this guarantee will not he required, as the only Branch which has sent us in names of those who would attend the classes is the Motu Branch

This is most discouraging, mid it is to be hoped that after this Conference Branches will remedy the omission, as we cannot hold classes if there is no one willing to attend. We had hoped to have got the assistance of the Agricultural or Dairying

Department in getting an instructor' who could act as a grader at the same time, thus saving us a portion of the salary for a start, but the Department has replied to the representations of the High School Board and your Executive, that it would be difficult to find a man competent to fulfil both positions, and that the grading in Gisborne is not sufficient to warrant the establishment of a grading store. One branch replied to our letter urging members to support this scheme for rural technical education that “ members were not inclined to guarantee subscriptions until satisfied that the lecturer would bo

oily qualified.” This perhaps sounds he keynote of all the difficulty with the I'armors’ Union. Farmers as a whole heoretieally support the Union, they ap-

point committees and officers to transact their business, and then fail to support them in their proposals, unless such pi'Opoaals thoroughly harmonise with their individual views ; they do not seem to have sufficient confidence in anyone to even give them a chance to prove the soundness of any proposal for their benefit, so that even' those who have worked most assiduously in their behalf are discouraged and disposed to leave the management of affairs to charlatans, or those who desire to use the Union for purposes of obtaining notoriety, The same old question for the subscriptions is again a trouble. It is with the greatest difficulty that the majority of branch secretaries manage to collect the subscriptions, with the result that the dues reach the Executive long after the close of the financial year, and then each year in decreasing amounts. It is remarkable that the various trades unions seem to have little or no difficulty in collecting subscriptions, which range from 6d to 2s 6d per week, while the farmers almost invariably have to be personally interviewed for their subscription of 5s or 7s fid per annum. The only explanation seems to be that the former are more practical and realise that nothing can be done without money, and, further, are more loyal to their organisation, realising that they must keep united and always sink petty differences and pull together if the efforts of their union are to be successful. To serve you properly, and to give you value for your money, wc must have funds, otherwise every undertaking is checked by the question “can we afford it?” It is no excuse (as is often made) that the subscription is so small that it was forgotten, for there is nothing in the rules to prevent a farmer writing out a cheque for £1 or £5 and donating that to the Union if he wishes ; indeed, those who can afford it should do so. The Fcilding branch’s scheme is a most excellent one, i.e , to levy a subscription of £l, and for this £1 include a. year’s subscription to the Farmers’ Union Advocate for the member. If every member were to take the Advocate it would be most valuable to the Union, as it would make that paper a much stronger and more useful organ, and it would always be the surest means of advertising branch meetings, etc., thus saving the secretaries an immense amount of work. The levy fixed by your Executive for the ensuiug year is the same as last, 4s, being 2s for the Colonial Executive and 2s for the Provincial Executive. During the past twelve months your Executive has had several articles which it thought of use or interest to farmers printed and distributed to all the branches, and we trust that they will bear fruit, and that the coming year will be one of renewed vigor for the Union. E very effort should be made to increase interest in the Union, and with this objeet the question of a picnic, similar tq that held in Palmerston North, will be placed before you for discussion to-day. Ily uniting ourselves socially in gatherings of this description, we hope that we may firmly unite ourselves in all that affects our general interests and the welfare of the community. If encouraged by goodmeetings, doubtless officials of the Union would attend at branch meetings and endeavor to awaken interest by giving addresses to members, as was done during the past . year. - Mr Watson suggested that prior to the report being discussed the Conference should re-affirm the resolution passed the previous year, allowing members-of former Executives to take part in the dis- . cussions.—This was agreed to, Mr Wallis said that he came to the meeting because it was necessary for him to be released of his office of treasurer* his branch being defunct’. His ; branch not having met'lie could not be said to he , pi'essent at’the Conference officially! ■ ' The Secretary' explained' that the Trea- , surer was ex officio a member of the i Conference.

Jii moving the adoption of the President's report, Mr Watson said he would - like it to be a strong recqnunendatiqiTtq the ensuing executive to ' endeavour tq bring their scheme of mutual fire insurance to a definite head. A letter had been received' from the Colonial Executive stating tliqt with regard to the business in ‘New Zealand there was no' way qf getting an actuarial opinion, and that the Union would liaye to go on experience. Everything went tq that the thing was sound.

Mr iyspar thought the questiqp of insurance should be dealt with separately, and after discussion it was decided to make the question a matter of special business op the order paper. Mr Clayton had pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report It shewed that the Union had done good and useful work during the year, although some people might think it was defunct. It was only defunct with people who did not attend branch meetings. They had advanced very materially tlie welfare of the farmers. He thought every opportunity should be taken to foster the social side of the Union. They should get their wives, daughters and sweethearts to take an interest in the affair* of the Union, and this could be done by the promotion of picnics, sdciais and other -functions. ■ ■ : The report was adopted.'’

FINANCE.

The balance-sheet, which was subUpttpiiHyy Mr Wallis, showed the receipts during the year to have beep £7Q IQs Id, comprising balance from last year /!)5 7s, and branch payments on members £4l 9s Id. The expenditure was £B3 10s 7d. leaving balance in hand of £4B 5s od. The balance of assets over liabilities was £6 11s Id, the assets totalling £IOO. including unpaid branch dues (estimated at 100 at 4s) £2O, and dues received since balance, Marcfi 31, 1906, .£3l 14sYd. The liabilities' comprised guarantee for- rural technical education £SO, ’ dues to' Coloiiidj. Executive £2O 16s, actuary's report bri mutual fire fees, and other minor items; 1 In" proposing the adoption of the report the President 1 said tliaf tilt 'position'appeared to bo a very satisfactory onfe. ' I; * Mr Watson said that of the liability of £SO for ruralteofipicfff'pdpeation, th'e spip qf £io had been voted by the Uniop. Mr Lysnar complaipsd that the executive did not do sufficient in regard to the diffusion of literature. There was only two or three pounds in this direction during the year. The President: You have had a chance of bringing this matter up at the meetings pf (he executive, and you have not done »G.

' Air Lysnar : lam only one member; it is not for me to do it. As far as- I know (hero lias only been one paper printed, and that was the one Mr Elliott gave, Tbo Secretary t Of the sum of £l2 7s for advertising and printing only £2 or iff is for tlie former. I fail to see how the executive could publish articles if they did not get the requests. I have sent, out a good deal of type-written matter, and possibly in doing this I might have been exceeding my duty. I have also io i'egfpt that the branches have not -.-always ref sponded by discussing and sending opinions to tho Executive,

Mr Lysnar! You send one copy to a branch ; that is not sufficient.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

Mr Chambers, retiring president, said lie would like to see the office go round. <■ Mr Wallis thought the Union could not do better titan ro : elect Mr .Chambers, whq had done good work during the year. •’ '• Mr Holden seconded the proposition, and M r Chambers was unanimously plectcd, ' On the motion of Mr Chambers, seconded by Mr T. Holden, Mr A R. Watson was unanimously re-elected vice-president. Mr H. M. Porter was re-appointed auditor.

The following were elected as an executive : Messrs W. lv. Chambers, President (Patutahi), A. R. Watson, vice President Waimata), H, E. Kent (Tiuiroto), J.

Hutohiuson (Raknuroa), A. Hogarty (Mangatu), W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne), T. Elliott (Motu), P. B. Watt (Hangaroa), A. J. Cameron, J. A. Caesar, U. lledpath, T. Holden, W. L. Clayton, A. H. Wallis. Mr Clayton was elected delegate to the Colouial Conference. DUTY ON POTATOES. The first business on the order paper was a resolution from the Waimata and Motu branches, “That the Government be asked to withdraw the duty on potatoes during the period in which the colony is afflicted with blight." Mr Watson, in proposing the motion, said his branch felt strongly on the question. He considered it inconsistent on the part of the Government to impose the duty, as one of their platforms was that duty should only be for revenue purposes. It was a hardship to people in both town and country not to be able to secure such a staple product excepting at an exorbitant figure. Mr Elliott (Motu) pointed out that having to pay 8s per sack cartage, settlers in his district found potatoes very dear. The President said the Government had more right to take the duty off potatoes than oft' tobacco. , Mr Kent supported the resolution, which | was unanimously adopted. SCARCITY OF LABOR, i

The Waimata braueh submitted the following: "That it be suggested to tin Colonial Conference that as there is ; great scarcity of labor all over the colony, the Colonial Executive might to some extent alleviate tho position by a circular letter to the English papers, setting forth the kind of men most required, tho probable wages, and the best time to arrive in the colony.” Mr Watson said this question cams up through the interesting circular that Mr McCutchan forwarded to the executive It was honestly felt in all parts of tho colony that there was not sufficient labor. As far as his branch was concerned there was no wish to reduce tho price of labor. They were prepared to pay a fair price for a fair day's work, but the men were not there to do tho work. He thought an advertisement inserted in one of the leading Home papers would result in a number of useful colonists coming out. Mr Elliott seconded the motion. He had been a working man himself—in fact was one now, and as far as wages were concerned he had never heard it stated by any employer of labor that he desired to cut the men's wage* down. They required good men in the bush and on the railway. A great many of the men in the bush and on railway works were regular “ wasters,” many of them being recruited from the ranks of clerks and other stations in -lifc totally unfitted for the work they were put to. According to the papers the men recently from Home were of a good class, and he hoped to see others follow. There was plenty of land in the district that required to bo brought into a'statc of production. He had pleasure in seconding the motion. The motion was adopted. VALUATIONS. The question of valuations was introduced by the Waimata and Motu branches : “ Whether it is desirable to set up a committee of farmers to consider objections to valuations, and to take united action to conduct proceedings in Assessment Courts, or to make vepresenta tions to valuers if such committee con aiders objections reasonable,” be considered. Mr Watson said that a representative body of farmers would bo in a position to speak with authority to the Department, and the Department would have every reason to carefully consider their objections. Although late for the presont valuations, there wa3 no reason why a committee should not be set up. Mr Elliott cordially supported the motion, as also did Mr Clayton

Mr Lysnar was not prepared to give the motion whole hearted support. He considered it would be next to impossible to get one committee to act for the whole district. What they required was a committee for each district. It would also detract from the previous recommenda tions of the Union that the farmers should have a representative on the Assessment Bench.

• 'Mr Clayton said they had no intention to detract from the previous recommendation ' asking for a representative on the Court. The Minister of Lands had recehtly foreshadowed' at Cheviot that that would come about, and this motion was something 'extra to meet the exigencies'of the'occasion until the Act was amended.

The President expressed approval of the motion. '■ Mr Wallis did not altogether agree with tlqe motion. No doubt there should be some uniformity in regard to their vahia tioris, as it was useless for a man to go into Court and fight singly. He must, tq succeed, be supported by his neighbors. The speaker strongly attacked the system ’ qf unimproved values at present adopted, contending that the values were excessive’. favored the formation of a committee jq each district. Mr Ivysnac moved as an amendment that the necessity of introduoing lrgisla tioo urging the Government to appoint at least one representative of the ratepayers on the Assessment Court be again brought before the farmers, and that in the meantime the branches no asked tooonsidrr the advisability of setting up a committee to aot for each locality and adjust va'uations in that particular district. Mr WattoD, with Mr Elliott’s oonsent, withdrew the motion in favor of the amendment. The latter, ho said, covered the ground more fully, and there had been no intention ia the motion to do away with the agitation for a representative on the Court. Mr W Hi 1 s-oonded the amendment, which was oarried. Mr CJlayton suggested that a central ootidmittee'should aho 'be appointed, who wodld oonduot proceeding! on report of tjranoh cotqmilt3Bs,'bat after souqe discus : eign ( uo deoisioq waa arrived at.

UNIMPROVED VALUES, ponderable dispuseio.n took place in regard to the resolution from the Patqtabi bpanch favoring rating cn unimproved values, Mr A, H. Wallis contended ihit all rating should be on tbe oapital value. If tboy went on the u improved value, all the taxation in the oolony would simply bo on tbo land,

Me Olayton said one good rosu't of nn Improved values wou'd be that "it would prevent ’porabhs boldiog seotiood in the middle of the town. .It would' tend to rttiko tb6m Improvo their properties. ’ Wallis : Your argument ia that you want (o raid (ill those pboplo who aro waiting for what is oalied the unearned increment. You want to msk) them sell. Mr Olayton ; I h ive q, very opon mind on the question, but it appears to me snoh a system would be in favor of the town, and onoourago people to build on thiir aeoliooa. Tbo presont syetem offers no enocuragomi nt to build or improve the appearance of the town. Bating on unimproved value" -«-•* ’ U(J Qno Q{ |hß moat important factors ia bringing about fho Dpttlement of the native lauds. Mr-V/utron ; It seems to me that the natives; are paying rates on un’mprovod values more beoiusa their properties, unless leased. a>o generally unimproved. No one improves his propety for fun. The rotes be pays are not going to stop him fr:m improving He endorsed Mr Wa IV rr mirks in regard to valuations on oipital values only, which he would vote for every time. Mr Wallis gave an insbanco to show bow tbo uaicqproved values had bean indreased on oountry lan Is. One property he knew of bad been increased from £1 to £3 and JE4 per acre, and there was Dot a road to it. It was done for the purposes of revenue, end was the thin oud of the wedge for the single-tax. M-* C'ayson thought the matter should be deferred, as they required more time for oonside.ation. The motion was lost. LECTURING VETERINARIAN,

The Proviooial Executive aubmilted the advisability of proouciDg the servicoa of a leotariDg veterinarian, Cii J-i la t sal I k'n Exuutiv) considered that the Conference should fn ly discuss the question as to whether the Union should appoint e*> eterinarian, who ehou'd a'so be an organiser for the Union, Mr Lyenar seoonded the resolution, and gtrODgly fasotrd it, considering it would be we 1 supposed by the farmers, and be a great factor in promoting the Unions welfare.

Mr w-itson soggrated tbat the vot. should bo stationed at some oontrol point, say, Gisborne or o\mt To Karaka, and fit suited interval.', sn.v, 01:00 a quarter, should tour the distiiot. visiting outlying districts such as Metu, Tolago, or Tiniroto, giving lectures, o c. Mr ulajti.il drew /.-ttontiou to tho financial fide of tho question, and while o irdially supporting Uio id.n, considered that ways and means should he gone int'. Tc would require at least £3OO 10 L-100 for a salary to ibe ve'., b side other cxpoi s-s, an i ibe Union should oensider how, saj, T4OO por annum, oeuld bo raised. On » provious moisten a guaranico was nit well suppor.i d, and it was uoueesary to see that the requisite funds we;o prooui- j ablo.

Executive was inaliuo'.od to tike nocoi sary stf px.

A PICNIC.

Tho following motion was put forward by the Provincial Ex oulivo with a view of p; pu'ariug tho Union : —*' That an annual pionio bs arranged to taka paoo at some desirable p'aoo during the summer, and that the branohes bo oncouiaged to nuld sooial functions »t sui able times, and make every effort to create interest in tho Union.”

Too President said ho had pleasure

moving that something in the nature o the above should be arrang’d. In Monowstu and o her pliO's very successful gatherings had been held, nnd the e was no reason whv the same should nit bo in Gt-bi-rno. lie thought a ounsidora' 1-r sill Hint of good would rosu't from it. Tory might got the branches to unite t.nd -pend a dav in tbs bush. They bad bad a sooial at Pitutabi r; oinlly, and it had

proved a great su.-osfs Mr Clayton warmly supposed t ha proposal. The gatherings held elsewhere had boon snocesifnl, upwards of 2000 parsons attending the one at Palmerston Njrtb. The cffio’als would have sn opportunity of expounding the views of the Union to the people in a wav in which they perhaps could not othrrwise reach ib: in, and it would b 9 much more in’cresting than reading a paper. There was no u»o denying the fact that tboy must have tbs support of tho Indies. I Their wives, daughters, and sweehoorts should bo got to tako an inlerest in tto U lion, and push tho fanners along Tho ladies, as a rul-', had greater activity than the m;n.

Mr Elliott supported the idea of tho pionio and social. Referring to what Mr Lysaar bad stated that morning in regard to the diflurion of literature, he had himself expressed no difficulty. As represent ing the Motu braoob, ha bad a-ked to have a paper printed, and it was doa9. In tbß Motu the farmers took the keenest interest in the aff airs of the Uni in Ha had ba 1 a good deal of help from th 3 Executive, and could not blame tb?m for anytbiog. Ho did not think it fair that it should get into the papers that the Exeoutive was not doing its work. Mr Lysnar said that it was the President ho blamed for more li er-ture not bring sent out If the Executive used its funds for p-ioting it would b > for the brn fit of all oonoerned. His own branch (Gisborne) bal done what it could, but could not be expected to do it for ad From the balance- beet it would be sren that only two pounds had been speut by the Ex’outivo.

Mr Clayton : That is incirrrci, sir. I have got the d,-t d's of the £l2 7s. Mr Lysnar : laiktd the question this morniag, and I wis told £2. Mr Olayton ; You were not. A smart p-issags of arms ensued, tho Secretary icf arming Mr Lysnar that he was not going to have words put in bis mou:b.

The President, intervening, said the delegatss wero go:t- ng away firm ihe point, wbioh was tbe Bubjectof a pionio. - Me Lysnar : My question was what was paid out for printed ma'fcer. Mr Watson : You are wrong ; it was what was pa’d for advertising, and Mr Olayton said two or three pounds. Mr Lysnar : Only two papers were mentioned as being priated, and they oou'd not rua into T 9

Mr Clayton : Ii anyone is oulpablo, it is Mr Lysnar. Ho has ntver asked for any pap-rs to be printed. Mr Watson said ho did not consider oensure due to anyone on the matter. He considered it wss a matter for extreme regret that the Gisborne Branch had not forwarded the infoima'ion they bal to the executive, who would have printed it, and it would have gone out to all the branches with tho 'stamp of ibe Poverty bay Fa-mers’ Union. The Gisborne Branoh

<epresentattve stified that they had oir culated a large amount of printed matter. Purely it was fair to as-um 9 that at any rate three-fourths of it would be of interest to members of the Union generally and nos one branch only, and therefore th»t branch, whether is was Qisboroe or Motu or any other, should have given tho tx out.va the opportunity to oiroulsta tbe mat’er for the benefit of tbe members of the whole Uuion. If they had declined to do so the matter would have been on another footing. Tbe President thought Mr Watson struck tbe nail on tho heal. Mr Lysnar made a great song about the matter, but had he treated the executive with proper eourtrsy and asked for any printing to bo done it would have been done. Tbo matter rested ohiefly on Mr Lysnar’s shoulders and the Gisborne branch, which sought

every opportunity to ignore the executive, They had don? this persistently and eon

Bistently. Mr Lysnar said he was sorry to see tbe turn offitre had taken. There was ovi

deDtly aomo precoaoeived object in what had been done. There seemed to be a complaint against the Gisborne branch that it was too active.

Delegates: No, no. Continuing, Mr Ljsnar said the Executive always treated the Gisborne branch with discouriesy. They had even refused to hold the ooqfefenoe in tho club rcotn3 when the latter were offered. They had nevpr bepu iq sympathy with the Gieborne branch. Mr Woiecn : Tho boot is on tbe other foo>, Mr Lysnar, The P.osidsnt: Yes, you ore right. Mr Lysnar: Wo have posted thitoge to you, and ycu have done nothiDg with them.

Mr Clayton : Pardon mo, we have. After furthor argument, Mr Lyanar said that ii tbo Gisborne branch waß going to be brought up in the manner i$ W&s be would ibtiro from the conference. * He waa not present to beat the Gisborne branch insulted, nor would he put up w : th it If the present attitude wore continued he

would rft ; re from the room, Toe President: W&y did you not thir k of ihat beford you rnado ohargos agsipit

ua. MrJjYanar: I only raised tbo question of priutiug, and 1 still say you bavo not printed enough, Mr 01 lyton ; And I say you sro equally to blsmo. Any member could eogge-st articloß to print. You aro to time as much as anj one.

air Lysnar: I will t- ko my share of the blame, but I aiiil say the executive has not done its duty in circulating literature. I am only an individual member. Mr ClaytoD : You should certainly take aa much interest as anyone e'ae. Mr Lyanar : loeitaiuly do. I do aa rniah ns cthir people.

Mr Clayton': Not for the executive. Mr Lyanar: I shall not sit here aDd bo insulted and have insults passed on the Gisborne branch.

The President: You ara taking all the credit, Ii would bo more credit to you if you bad asked the executive to print your paper’. ■MrLvanar: What wo wantad for cut branch I printed. The President: You should not blow about it.

Mr Watson: It aeom3 to mo that if your branch had forwa'dod these matters to the ex-culivo and them to print them it would have been a mnah beder position for everybody. It would have shown a much g oiter combination in the Un o r. Mr Lysnar: If that is the feeling of the executive it will not be long beforo they have something to print; There is about £lO worth to be done right awar. The President: Don’s frighten us. MrLjensr: I will take you at your word. Tho President: Send it along as soon as you like, Mr Holden reminded the meeting that the subject under consideration was " the piooio,” and after an explanation from the seoretary as to why the oonferenco was not bold in the Gisborno Club rooms and disproving tho charges of discomtosy on

tho part of tho oxeoulivo. tho motion was • a rhd and ordor somewhat rostorod RURAL TECHNICAL EDUCATION. *■ That tho apathy of mombors with regard to rural cdueut on is viewed with regrrt.” This was moved by Mr OlaytoD, seaondod by Mr Hegatty, and oarried unanimously without disoussiou. THE RAILWAY.

Motu Branch. —“ That whilo pleased with the ovidouoes of tho furthor oxton -ion of tho Giaboruo-Rotorua railway past To Karaka, and eouvinoed that tho ia-

creased importance of tho lino and tbo

Poverty B iy district warrant ovon a more rapid ixtousion, this conforeuoa desires to p.-iitiou tho Government and the Hon. Junes Carroll that at least -£159,000 bo placed on the ostimates for tho onsulng year for fin ther e-mstruosions. Further,

that co-operation of tho East Coast anti Opoliki Railway Leagues, G’sbonto Borough Counoil, Cook and Opoliki Councils be inviti d

Mr E liot*. in proposing tho motion. I said that ho did not need to say rnuoh on iho subjeot, because tho local Railway Leoguo cad taken tho subjeot up, nnd ho war glad to see that they n>w bai praotioally tho unanimous support of tho people. Tho Aaokland Railway Lmguo. Auokland Chamber of Commeroo, nnd all tho looal bodios gavo it their support, and ho thought tho Railway League would deal with it muoli bolter than tho UuioD.

Mr Clayton seconded tho motion. A mottieg of tho Longue was to be held that I tilternoon for tho purpose tf appointing I delrga’es to a'tood tho confrronoe. 11 1 would like,” said Mr Olayton, “ to suggest I that wo attend and propose Mr Elliott be I appointed as ono of tho delegates. I understand that ho is prepared to undertake tho journey if he is asked to do so, and it is very desirable to have as a delegate cne of our own members, and ospeoi- ! ally one who has done a lot of valuablo work on the executive.” Tho motion was oarried. NATIVE LANDS. Patutabi Branob.—“ That further legislation should be introduced for tbo purpose of promoting the immediate settlement cf native land-, as the Maori Land SettlemoDt Aof, ICOS, dots not roem to bo

off ctivo fur tho purpose. That tho Land for Settlement Act should bo mado to

apply to natiye lauds as we ! l as Euro poan"

Tho Chairman : I think it is high time something should be doDe in the matter. Under present conditions the resumption of land applies ooly to Europeans, while there are large areas of Dative land still lying idlj.

Mr C'ayton said tho subject had been

intiodueed to bring about disousaion La ga bL-tki of land adjo’oing othir blook-, valued at 7- 6), bal been raised to a yalue of £3 per aore, which mount thab uodtr these new values land oould not be lossel und.rd' per acre. With no roads to the property that wasa probiLi.iverent. It was simply unreasonable to put the capital value on bush lands to which tbeie wero no reals Bt £3, wbioh meant a rental of 3'. He m ntioned the oase of one mm having t out £15,000 to .£20,000 to invest ia the district having because ho oeuld not get tho land, and he instanced several other oases of people having been nnable to get unimproved bush laud. It was a drawback to the district, and the lunger it was put off the worse it would bream?. They wanted the native lands settled, and it seemed to him that obstacles were thrown in the path whichever way they turned.

Mr Lysnar said this was another instance of tho work of the Gisborne branoh not bearing fruit. They were teally now asking to have enforced what bed been ca ned two years ego. The matter bad been referred to a oommitteo of lawyers (Messrs DeLautour, Nolan, and himself), and they fcai approved of tbe step taken. Tho natives should be given tbe right to alunate their land, subjeot to oertain restrictions. The natives were very euspioious oi boards and trusts. The Bystem was ata-ted in 1865. when power was given for a committee of ten to deal on behalf of the whole of the owners. Bome of these oommhtaes got very fat aDd made a lot out of it, but tho other owners did not, Then the Aot of 1873 was carried, and that bauß! d a lot of troub'e, beoauss it wantpd tbo whole of the owners to be inolucjad. Next came the legislation to enable tbp individual to do as he pleased with hip propeity. That did a lot of good, but ft did rot suit Up Government. ' They wanted to block such dealings, and the policy up to a eboit time ago was not how to deal with Ibeso lmds, but how not to deal with them. A oommitteo consisting uf Messrs N Gar], DeLautour, and himself had been at 1? id to report as to the proposals plaoed before the Exeoutive. They had given their approval, and the Executive should have followed it up, and what bad bren done ? Nothing. It m'g’it have been brought before the last Conference and driven home, but was not done. Mr Olayton said that Mr Lysnar was very wide of the matk as to the steps taken, and his motnory on the subj-ot was very ehort. He read the resolution adopted by tho last Conferenos, moved by either himself (Mr ClaytoD) or the Hawke’s Bay delegate. He was not euro whether he had moved or seconded it. Tho reso lution adopted by the Colonial Conference was practically tbe one sent down by that Conference. They had affirmed the resolution passed at the previous Confereaoe. and loft it in the hands of the Colon’a! Exeoutive. The delegates interviewed the Premier, and received the assuranoa that something would be done. That something had been done in the Bill which they were beginning to find was not of the value they thought, The last clause of the lesolulion had been specially Emphasised tu him by Mr Lysnar while he (M(f Olayton) was going >away pn the boat. They did not follow the Example—a bad oDp—of interfering with what they had onoe pul into the hands of the Colonial Exeoutive to do, aqd if that Exeoutive did not deal with the subject it was for them to bring tbe matter up egaiD, and spur them on to fresh efforts. He thought the Executive bad dono what was required and expected of i*. Mr Lysnar: The thing wsnis following up moio than that. Mr Clayton : How would you da it ? Mr Lysnar ssid they should send oirculatß to members and Ministers, and net

just pa s tbo thing on to the Colonial Ex cuiiva and leave it there,

Mr Clayton-said they had written time aftir tiurj and several resolutions had been seDt. The Chairman : We have no control ever the Colonial Executive.

Mr Watson snic} ho could not say whether the present Act wob satisfqolory, but a resolution hnd bce,n sent, dea’t with at tho Confoionce, and the Premier interviewed on tbe tubj-:ct, lha consequence being that a Bill had boen introduced, embodying with tbe Government’s views tbe suggestions made by tbo ConferenceIf the outcome had nos K«'-“ - ..u otwaiactory, ._.vu y using was to tefer tho matter to tbe Colonial Executive.

Mr Lysoer said the legislation did not provide for what had been asked. Provision bad been made for boards to represent tho natives, but es he had poiotod out the natives would not trust each other. They should fallow up their resolution again. Mr Clayton said that unless the land had boen let prior to tho Aot of 1895, the owners could only deal wi'h it through ell the committee business. What was asked was to bring down the number to be dealt with, from, say, to between two and ten owners, subject to proper safeguards. The system of all these boards was a cumbrous one.

Mr Watson : Parbaps Mr Lysnar, who has these things at his Sogers’ ends, will prepare a resolution. Apparently what has been done has borno a certain amount ol fru t.

Mr Lysnar acknowledsEd that be bad n't remembered what had boen done, adding that now it wanted following up. Mr Watson : Well, frame a resolution.

Mr Clayton: Tho 'Partners’ Union Advooate gives us credit for the legislation (Maori Land Settlement Bill, 1905). That was a rather rash statement of yours (Mr Lysnat) lo blame us. Mr Lysnar; We' should take it up again. V

Mr Clayton : Well, we aro doing it now. Mr Watson: You can’t improve on the first resolution ?

Mr Lysnar said no, except that it perhaps Bpread tbe wings too muoh. No doubt, he said, the Aot was a step forward iu that something could . be done wheteas befure nothing could be done. "Mr Elliott: We want another A. L. D. Eraser up here,

Mr Lysitßr said thn Act gavo the Natlvo Minister powor to toko over lands not in occupation. Mr Elliott: Then it must bo bearing a little fruit, bocauao in Opotiki tho natives handed over 20,000 acres to tho NnSivo Minister. Mr Lyßnar : Bettor ask the Native Minister to exoroiao bis powers and toko ovar tho land. . Mr Elliott: Wnll. do so. Tho Chairman : I am afraid Mr Carroll won’t do so. Mr Lysnar : Tho thiog to bo bommorod at is the right for tho individual nativo to deal with his laud. Mr Clayton : Yes, euhjoot to tho Nativo Land Court.

Mr Lysnar said tho leasing prinoiplo waa wrong to tho natives. No maittr what value they had got it must R 0 through the oommitlcts, wbioh tboy would not tiust. Mr HrgaLy : Would it not bo wiso to pass something like that now ? Tho following resolution movod by Mr Lysnar, and s.oondtd by tho chairman, was adopted : 1 That the native land legislation bo so nraondrd os to onahlo nut vo owners of dr tiued portions of land who have their numbers reducod to, say, below ten owners to bo allowed to deal with their land tho tame as Europeans,

subjeot to all proper safeguards suoh as tbo natives possessing other lands for their own usr, and tho transaction bring approved by a Judgo of tbo Nativo Land Court os fair and reasonable.”

Mr Lysnar said it might bo a good thing to pass a rosolotion osk’ng tbo Minister to exercise his powor to tako over native land unoccupied. He had very useful powers given to him under that legislation, and if ho used them ho could do a lot of gcod to tho people and to Ihe natives.

Mr Clayton pointed out that it was desirable to make the reeo’ution a colonial one, and that tbo powers possessed only had reforenoe to certain districts. The Chairman : We want bis powors to apply to tbo whole ooiony. Mr'Watson suggested that tho conference write to Ihe Native Minister asking him to exeroise his powers in this dislriot, ard then refer tho subj ct to tho Colonial (Continued on page 4 )