FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2082, 17 May 1907, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

Press Association. AUCKLAND, yesterday. The sixth annual conference of the Auckland section of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was opened yesterday morning at the Chamber of Commerce. The President (Mr. L. It. Phillipps) occupied the chair. In opening tlm proceedings Mr. Phillips said the greatest matter in the political world of Now Zealand during the year was the death of the late Premier, Mr. Seddon, whose loss was regrot ted by everyone in the colony. During the year the Union iii Auckland lost its firmest and greatest president, Mr. M. M. Kirkbride. One of Mr. Kirkbrido’s last political actions was to get through the Mouse a measure which the farmers had been fighting for for years, and that was representation of local bodies' on the Assessment Courts. The year generally had been a most successful one throughout the Auckland province. Prices generally had been maintained at a very high standard, and the exports this year had increased by something like £3,000,000, and most of that amount was in agricultural lines. Unfortunately there was had weather lining the harvest, and a considerible portion of the harvest was lost. Unfortunately, also, the blight was prevalent yet. and the potato crops were still affected, and now it had attacked one of the greatest of root •rops, the turnips. The position of the Union was stronger'than it had ever been before, and although the surplus was a small ono. the treasurer would show that the Union had to meet some extraordinary expenditure this year. Members’ subscriptions last year totalled £l4l, and this year 2214. (Applause.) It was a position upon which the Union could congratulate itself. It was decided last .year chat the Executive should approach the insurance companies with a view to getting a consolidated risk for farmers, and it made arrrangements with the South British Company on a schedule which mot with very genoral approval. When there was a con[iniicd tariff arranged amongst the nsuranco companies the South British mid out very strongly that farmers’ isks should he the schedule sot up ireviously, and the farmers had a ;ood deal to thank that company for n this respect. The Executive had u'ought the matter to a very successful issue. A strong point had >eon made at the conference last year ■egarding the silting up of the L'hamcs river, a matter that was to come before a conference. To make himself personally acquainted with it, Mr. Phillips said he visited the district, and lie could assure the meeting that the settlers wero suffering verygreat hardship. It was a matter farmers should take up and place very strongly before' the authorities until something was done to remove the grievance. (Applause.) It was not only a Thames question, for it was a burning question in many southern districts. Mr. L. R. Phillipps was re-elected president. A resolution was carried unanimously that the time lmd arrived for the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to form a separate political party, and run its own candidates for such seats as was considered desirable, and recommending to the Colonial Executive that the rule which bars discussion on political questions should be abolished. It- was further resolved to instruct the Auckland delegate to bring this matter very forcibly before the Colonial Conference. NEW PLYMOUTH, yesterday. The Farmers’ Union Conference passed resolutions that a further endeavor be made to secure the right to leaseholders under the West Coast settlement Reserves Act to secure the freehold; that in future setting aside of lands by way of endowment for education or other purposes, the lessees should have the upturn of obtaining the freehold; that until ail Crown and Native lands are settled, the Union oppose interference with existing titles, such as limiting areas; that the conference urge on the Government the necesssity for expeditious loading in the backblocks; that the conference oppose the referendum. Resolutions were also carried opposing the extension of local franchise to non-ratepayers, urging the alteration of the Valuation xVct, reduction of taxation on the necessaries of life, and a strong forward immigration policy