N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2258, 1 August 1908, Page 2

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE, [Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, July 31. An interesting discussion took place at the Farmers’ Union Conference today on the following remit: “Thai; in order to encourage planting of forest trees, all land over one acre in extent planted with forest trees should bo exempt from land <tax and local rates.” Several speakers uregd that Mow Zealand was on the eve of a timber famine, and some encouragement should -be given t 0 the -planting of trees. The motion was passed, and it was decided to bring under the notice of the Government the question of granting a bonus for all land planted in trees. Tho Farmers’ Union passed a motion that the conference is not in favor of any alteration being made in tho sizo of corn sacks. It was also resolved that tho names of vendors and buyers of stock be given when stock is sold at public auction. Advocates of the motion contended that the effect would be to prevent the “trotting” of prices and the giving of misleading statements as to. the place of origin. It was also decided that the conference . recoin mend the selling of beef by weight instead of ia<t per head. The President of the Fanners’ Union Conference intimated that the conference had thrown out tlie recommendation from Southland, “that in view of the danger of the three party system being introduced into Now Zealand politics, the Farmers’ Union discuss the advisability of urging the Premier and leader of the Opposition to consider the question of coalescing.” He added that an important resolution had been passed by -the Union in the following terms: “Tint the time had now arrived when the Union as a whole must take a more active -part in politics, and a firm stand against Socialistic legislation. and that all farmers’ candidates should be asked to pledge themselves to oppose all measures detrimental to tho farming community, whether they he Government measures or otherwise, and that in any electorate where more than one candidate pledges himself to do 60. a meeting of delegates from eich branch in the electorate shall he called by the premier branch, and such active steps be taken as are deemed advisable in the electorate to secure the return of a candidate who can be relied upon to support -the Union’s platform in Parliament, . irrespective of parly, and that this conference draw up a series of questions embodying the policy of the Farmers’ Union for use in the electorates.”

The Conference to-day passed the following resolutions: —-That the annual rental of post office boxes and, bags, where letter-carriers do not exist, be reduced to the cost of initial outlay of such boxes, etc.; that this Confei'ence strongly protests aga’nst the proposed Shearers’ Accommodation Bill ias being harassing, impracticable, and unnecessary, * and that representations be made to 'he Minister that this Union recognises that some system of voluntary conciliation in the settlement of labor (.'spates is necessary',-and that the •■xecumve take steps to procure information from 6uch countries as have adopted this form; that tlie Union express satisfaction that the proposal fiist emne’a ted by the Farmers’ Union, that the Dominion should contribute a laiger naval subsidy, has been practically adopted iby the Government in raising the subsidy t 0 £100,000; that the Government be requested to amend the local bodies’ finance and powers Act in the direction of subsidising the general rates of local bodies on a graduated scale; that- ihis Conference is opposed ta any change in the electoral law,-in regard to the absolute majority or second 1 allot Officers were elected as follows President, Mr. J. G.. Wilson; VicePresident, Mr. Leadley; treasurer, Mr. A. E. Russel; auditors, Messrs Rutherford and McConnell; Advisory Board, Messrs 'Birch;' Cooper, Richards, and McGregor. Messrs Jones. Evans, and Acland were warmly complimented on the good tight they bad put up on behalf of the farming community in regard to the Canterbury farm laborers dispute. It was resolved that the Union cannot see its way (to federate with the Employers’ Federation.