N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 67, 31 January 1908, Page 3

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Branch formed at Te Kuiti.

address was delivered in Hetet's Te Kuiti, on Tuesday evening last by Mr Allen Bell, Provincial President of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, on the aims and objects of the Farmers' Union. Major Lusk Chairman of the Waitomo County Council, presided and, in introducing the speaker, referred to the necessity for union among the settlers. Mr Bell, who was greeted with applause, expressed pleasure at being able to accept an invitation to expound the aims and objects of the farmer's Union, and to assist in the formation cf a new branch of that body. The great question which affected the farmers was, undoubtedly, the tenure of the land. The Farmers' Union had taken a strong stand and, during the recent agitation in favour of the famous Land Bill, had so strongly advocated the freehold tenure, that the Government had virtually backed down on the leasehold question. The Bill had been so modified in order to have it passed through Parliament, that it hardly bore any resemblance ' to the measure originally put before the people. Undoubtedly the alterations were mainly due to the efforts of. the Farmers' Union. The speaker said that even in its present form the Bill was bad, and regretted that it had become law, and it was their duty to use every endeavour to. have it repealed. It was the right of every man to be able to own a bit of freehold land; it was one of ,the chief v reasons why our parents came to the colony, and the love of freehold was deeply implanted in the heart of every free spirited man. In the opinion of the Union any attempt to break down that spirit was wrong, and should be resisted to the uttermost. The movement in favour of the leasehold was supported chiefly by townspeople, who were ignorant of country conditions. He had met a man from town not long ago who had just spent some- time with a friend on a farm in the backblocks. That man had supported the leasehold, but when he saw the conditions under which the back country settlers had to exist, he became converted to . the freehold. He felt sure if towns- . men could come for a trip through '■ this district during the winter they would not have many leasehold sympathies left when they finished. The farmers produced about 74 per cent, of the wealth of the country, and were entitled to every consideration. They should also take more interest in matters affecting their affairs, and become a force in directing the public policy. The Farmers' Union was not antagonistic to any other Union, but where such a great industry was involved, it certainly should have a strong body to advocate its interests. The speaker dealt with the question of valuation and taxation, and referred to the manner in which the unimproved value of the lands of the Dominion was being rushed up. He had recently stated that the increase was ten millions a year, and that statement had been questioned. He had gone further into the 'matter, and taking the figures of the Government Year Book, he found that the increase amounted to about eleven millions a year. This was playing into the hands of the land speculator, who could buy land, and, assisted by the increased Government value, dispose of it readily at a good profit. The taxation was also increasing in the country. It had been steadily increas- ' ing for years past, and last year showed an increase cf 9s 4d per head. In referring to the question of labour Mr Bell said the Union was not antagonistic to labour. They wished to see the working man keep up his end of the stick. Ninety-five per cent, of the farming community had been labourers, land they wanted to see the labourer imbued with a selfreliant spirit, so that by thrift and energy he could secure a piece of • land and become The professional agitator suppressed. He was man who was fit for nothing else, and only stirred up others to serve his own ends. The subject of defence was introduced by the speaker, who said the Dominion should rise to a sense of its responsibility and make every man and youth an efficient defender of the country. The National League, which was first started in the Auckland province, had spread remarkably and was now becoming a power in the land. He was glad to say it would shortly exert its influence throughout the country. • The training of the people for defence would beneficially influence the national character, and he trusted the time would soon arrive when the objects of the league would be consumated. The Farmers' Union was not the representative of the big landholder. It represented the small farmer and advocated his interests. The time would arrive when it would be necessary to cut up big holdings for closer settlement, but they should first have the unoccupied lands of the country settled. With regard to Native Lands the Union had agitated for a simplifying of the present laws in order to make the land available for settlement, but the Government had allowed the matter to drift. He had seen cases in Taranaki where Maoris were large suppliers to the dairy factory, and yvere making successful and satisfactory dairy farmers. Jie considered that with" proper encouragement the Maoris would make good farmers, and the Union would agitate for proper encouragement being given. Referring to the political aspect of the Union Mr Bell said that the platform of the Union was entirely nonparty political, and embraced members of every shade of political opinion. Personally he did not agree 5 with this position. The tajce a stropg political stand, but he ifeuld not say it should support ope A irticular party, byt throw in its lot the party that would work truly in the farmers' interests. While it was non-party political, it would not r exercise that power in politics that such a body should. He hoped to see a change brought about, and felt sure it would be a benefit to the farm<The establishing of a universal telephone system was aclyocatedby

the speaker, who set forth the benefits to be derived from such a system. The telephone was greatly in evidence among the farmers of the East Coast and Wairarapa, and an excellent service 1 had been established at Waingaro. Ke hoped to see it universally adopted in the district. Mr Bell, in conclusion, said he hoped to 5-ce a terge number of branches of the Farmers' Union established in the King Country. The district was rapidly coming to be one of the best and most productive in the province, and it behoved the settlers to follow the example of the townspeople and organise. Mr J. Boddie, in a short speech, expressed pleasure at listening to Mr Bell's address, and he hoped all would appreciate that gentleman's patriotism in giving his time and talents towards the work of organising the farmers. He pointed but the urgent need of continuing to assist each other and resist encroachments by people whose aims, if canned out to a logical conclusion, meant elimination of all enterprise, and the sinking of all to the common level of State servants. He |proposed that a branch of the Farmers' Union be formed at Te Kuiti. 'The resolution was seconded by Mr M. A. Mackenzie and carried unanimously. It was decided, on the motion of Mr H. W. Battley, by Mr Boddie, to fix the subscription for the current year, to March 31st, at ss, the matter to be re-arranged at the annual meeting. The usual votes of thanks were then passed and the meeting adjourned till Wednesday evening. A report of Wednesday's meeting will appear in next issue.