FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1959, 15 December 1906, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. ussass The Provincial Executive of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union mat at Mr Andrew Graham's offioa yesterday morn'ng. when there were present : —Messrs W. K. Chambers (president), WatsoD, Olaytou, and Redpatb. TRUCKING SHEEP. The Motu branoh of the Farmers’ Union wroto forwarding the following resolution passed by that body :— *■ That this branoh approves of tho now method of filling | sheop railway trucki, as suggested by Mr J W- 0. Buchanan, and advocate?, if tho system is endorsed by tho Government, that the Gisborne lino ba supplied with the improved trucks.” —Received. The Native Minister wrote acknowledge ing a letter from tho Exooutive, enclosing a copy of the oommunioation from Mr W. 0. Buchanan, urging an alteration in the present mstbod of trucking shoop. Seeing that tho matter was so plainly set forth, he was sure hla olleague, the Hon. Minister for Railways, would give it evory consideration.—Received. GISBORNE ROTORUA STOCK TRACK.

Tho Department of Roads, Rotorup, wrote re Gisborno stock track : 11 Noticing in a reoen'i Auckland paper that your

Union had decided to support the completion of tho Wmkaremaana roßd in pre loronco to tho stock track (via Maunga-

pohatn), will you kindly elate whether you I consider ibis latter track unnooessary, aDd what were tho main raaoous advanoed for tho decieion arrived at'? The groator part of tho uofioished portions of both these traoks wera iu tho Rototua district, and this was the Department’s excuse for troubling tho Executive.” The Chairman explained that it was tho Gieborne branch that bad supported tho Waikarrmoana road, and tho letter was forwarded to that branob, MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE.

A Committee, consisting of Messrs Chamber?, Clayton, Hulchinson, Kent, and Wat3on W3a appointed to go into tho question of Mutual Fire Insurance. THE LAND BILL,

Mr Clayton drew attention fo the great number of people who did not understand the Land Bill, and suggested that a oompijUoe be sot up to draft a letter to tba

press explaining tho Bill. It would only bo noooasary, ho said, lo montiou a few points- Somo pooplo soomod to think that frooholdora wore asking tho right for tbo holdot to purohaso tho laud at tho original value, whioh was absurd, as this only ap' piiod to 1 i.p. solootors. Tho frooholdora woto asking no more from tho State than would bo askod from a privato landlord. Mr Rcdpath said tho loltor should first go to tho various brauohos. Discussion onauod on tho Bill. Mr Itodpath said ho was not in favor of taking muob notion in tho matter. Tho Bill was not introduced with tho intontion of boing put through tho House. (Laughtin). Ii was decided that those present bn a Oommittoo to draft a loiter explaining tho Bill, tho letter to bo first sent to tho branches, and ttaon publishod. MR MoOURDYS RESIGNATION. The mooting wont into oommittoo lo oonsidor matrors in oonnsotion with Mr McCurdy’s resignation as soorotary of tho Colouial Exooutivo. Tho Provincial Exooutivo deoidod to uphold tho Advisory Board’s action iu regard to Mr McCurdy’s resignation, and expressed a hopo that tho largo amount of valuablo work that Mr McCurdy had undoubtedly done for tbo Union should bo recognised. Mrs Kirkbrido wrote thanking tbo Union for its kind expressions of oondolouoo in oounootiou with tho death of her late husband, who took a koon interest iu tho Union's work. Tho Committee drafted tho following letter to bo sent to tho branches; "Door Sir, —Tt-.o Provinoia! Ex. outivo or tho Poverty Bay Partners’ Union have dooidid that it would bo advisable to for' ward lo branches a statement of what it eonsiders tbo Union’s attitude is upon tho question of the Land Bill. I«m theretore direotod Co givo you the following: I. That tbo Farmers’ Union has not udvooaied tbo breaking up of largo estates, bs" oauso tho law already provides for this by tho Lands Settlement Act. 2 Thai tho Union has always advocated tho prevention of the aggregation of largo estates. 3. That by plank 2 of its platform it has always advooatod that Bolootors m ry have a ohoioo of tanuro, viz., purchase for cash, ioase with option of purohaso, or lease in perpetuity. 4. That by plank 3 tho Union has insisted that no transfer of Crown lands be registered unless suob transfer has attached a declaration by purchaser in 1 ms of Land Act and Lands for Ssttlomoot Aoi. Therefore it opposes tho Land Bill because: (a) It considers its pro

visions foe limiting private estates unnecessary and presenting many objooiionabie features, the ohitf oi which is—tno Bsouriiy for money advances, being very seriously threatened, any new law to give satisfaction to the Union must contain such principles as will leave the value of the laud security absolutely stfeguatded; (b) it abolishes the selectors of Urowu lands ohoico of tenure ; (c) it abolishes the ftos hold tenure as regards the future. We shall bo glad if your bianoh would earnestly consider this stalement, and if you would forward me its opinions at your earliest convenience.— (Signed) W. Lissant Clayton, Provincial Secretary.”