THE FARMERS’ UNION CONFERENCE.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 94, 8 July 1902, Page 4

THE FARMERS’ UNION CONFERENCE.

Addressing the Farmers’ Union Conference the retiring President, Mr M. Kirkbrlde, of Auckland, said the conference should urge upon the Government the importance of the Australian markets to the farmers of this colony, “ Their importance caused some of us to think seriously of the desirability of federating with Australia, but we were always told we could obtain access to those markets by reciprocal treaty. The Federation Commission said in their j-epoit that they trusted this matter would engage the attention -of the Government, and that-efforts would be made from t ine to time to bring about such a reciprocal treaty. If I were to advance an opinion I ,'should say that when farmers over in Australia are clamoring for the duties on New Zealand produce to be abolished, when stock is dying by the million.for want of todder, should be an opportune time for onr Government to bestir itself to obtain foi us a. wider entrance to the Australian markets. It is thought by many that there are: large possibilities ia the future of an export, trade fro South Africa. Our Government seems qu te , alive lo those possibilities, and offers to assist and foster the tirade in every way—it is said to the extent of subsidising a direct line of steamers and erecting cool stores in that coun - try. South Africa will'require- a great deal of produce during the next two or three and the whole countrX must require re stocking. New Zealand is in a position to supply no inconsiderable portion of those i equiremenis.”