FARMERS' UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1761, 30 May 1906, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

(Per Press Association

Fdhiatua, last night. The Welling l on Provincial Conference of Ihe New Zealand Fa;mers’ Union operei here this morning. Mr J. G WilsoD, President of the New Zealand UnioD, presided, and delegates from 47 branches were present. A telegram was read from the Hon, Mr Hall-Jones, Acting-Premier, regretting his inability to be present. PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS.

la his presidential address Mr Wilson congratulated the delegates present on the increase of membership, and said he was glad to Bee many yourg men present. Sicoa last year the Union had started a Muiual Insurance Saoiety under great d fficulties. Whither it should be a Wellington Hu*ual or a North Island one bad yet to be deoided. They must decide either to have odb each for the North and South Islands, or one for the whole oolony. Referring to the appointment of rural teaohers in Auckland and Wellington, be believed these appointments were largely due to the Union’s efforts. Toe duty o' these gentlemen was to go out into the oountry aDd hold classes, aud give a lead to teachers, and give them a practical idea of the methods 10 be adopted in rural or agricultural subjects, but they bad also something else to do. They bad to impress upon children that farming was the | greatest profeesicn, jost as it was the most valuable one, to the colony. He did not inlend to go into the quest’on of freetrade, but Could not avoid sayiDg that there were a number of industries in the 00l ny that were not of the value many people assumed. They were kept up by the imposition of protective duties, which had to be borne by farmers and ooDsumers generally. He d d not think'it wise for the Union to run an accident insuranos company at pro=ent. The Oolcfral Conference thought they should take a more active part in politios than they had done. They had done it as from the farmers’ view' point, but not from a party standpoint. He hoped they would not enler into party politios and Jjecome the hacks of aDy political party. The Union was a defensive organisation, It might possibly bo therefore necessary to be prepared for poy emergency that might arise. They must be guided by principle in considering any political or economic subject that might oome for ward

?e congratulated them on the wonderul prosperity cf the colony. It was 47 years since wool was at the present high price. Th9y oould not, however, expeot it to keep at that price.RESOLUTIONS. The following resolutions wero carried : That GovernmoDt, be urged to so amend the Land Act as to give all Crown tenants the option of rpurohasing the freehold oi iheir land at the orginial value on pay. ment oi the difference between 4 per oent. now charged under lease in perpetuity’ and 5 per cent, oharged to tenants with the right of purchase. That Land Boards be given power in their regulations to allow tenants under the Land for Settlement Act to cultivate their farms as they pleased, provided thoy had spent a sufficient amount on the farm to proteot the lessor. That Government be aFked to give all Bubeidies on a graduated scale. That lcoal bodies be represented on Assessment Courts

That the Railway Department run as many exclusively Block trains as possible QuriDg the busy season.

That Government authorise the AgentGenera! to enquire into excessive London warehouse oharges on wool, with a view to getting some reduo;ion, That no further increase of duty be imposed on imported agricultural implemeets. e That Government exempt potatoes from the Customs duty of 20 per oent ad valorem owing to the potato blight in this I colony.

That the proposed export duty on hides be opposed. The Conference adjourned until to« worrowwomieg,