FARMERS’ UNION CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2125, 6 July 1907, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION CONFERENCE.

Press Association. WELLINGTON, last night. To-day tlie Farmers’ Union gave some consideration to tariff questions. On tho motion of tho Auckland delegate it was resolved: That this Conference protests against any increase in duties for tho protection of local industries, as such duties would raise tho price of all protected articles to the consumer, and this would detrimentally affect all other industries, and that should any amendment bo made to tho present tariff it should bo in the direction of a revenue tariff.” Tlio following remit from Taranaki caused a long discussion: “That in the opinion of this Conference it is desirable to reduce taxation on the necessaries of life.” The motion was strongly criticised and was ultimately withdrawn. The Conference again re-affirmed its opinion that unconditional preferential treatment should be continued to the Mother Country. Captain Bell, Auckland, moved: “That in the opinion of this Conference the time lias arrived when the Legislative Council should be elected.” The mover said it was quite wrong that the Government should have the right of apointing men to the Upper House, who might defeat the will of the people. Air. Cooper complained that while the trades councils had been given representation the Farmers’ Union, which comprised many men who had always been strong suporters of the Government, had been overlooked. Resolutions were'carried urging the Government to adopt a forward immigration of assisted passengers, endorsing the opinion expressed by the Premier in regard to restrictions on Chinese, urging the abolition of thesheep tax, asking for protection against damage done by mining tailings being deposited in rivers, affirming opposition to any attempt to introduce the referendum, expressing disaprovn of a universal Saturday half holiday approving tlie introduction of nature study and gardening into the primary school.

The following remits were adopted: From Otago—That County Counci' be asked to prohibit the placing of barbed wire on any fences along the main roads at a lower level than 2ft’ 6in from the ground. From Auckland—That the Loans to Local Bodies Act he amended so that all unoccupied (Native and Crown) lands in any snocial rating area shall become rateable from the date of occupation. From Auckland—-That all public works should be constructed on the contract system as against the co-operative system now in vogue. From Auck : land—That tho paramount importance of roads opening up lands as the foundation of prosperity of the colony should be forcibly impressed upon the Government by tho Farmers’ Union. From Auckland—That this Confer! once ask the Colonial Council to draw the notice of tho Minister for Railways to tho fact that there is a scarcity of trucks on the railway, farmers having to wait as long as two. wholes for trucks to convoy their ' stock away.

On the motion of Mr. Jones (Canterbury) it was resolved by 9 votes to 7 that any increase ip the graduated land tax should ho accompanied by a similar increase in tho income tax.