Farmers' Union Conference.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8101, 30 May 1906, Page 7

Farmers' Union Conference.

♦ (Per Press Association.) PIAHATUA, May 29. The Wellington I J rovincial Conferonce of the New Zealand Farmers' Union opened here this morning. Mr J. G. Wilson, President of the New Zealand Union, presided, and delegates from 47 branches were present. In his presidential address Mr Wilson congratulated the delegates present on the increased membership, and said he was glad to see so many young men

j present. Since last year the Union had started a mutual insurance society under great difficulties, but whether it would be a Wellington mutual or a North Island one had yet to be decided. They must decide either to have one each for the North and the South Islands or one for the whole colony. Eeferring to the appointment of rural teachers in Auckland and "Wellington he believed these appointments were largely due to the Union's efforts; the duty of these gentlemen was to go out into the country to hold classes and to give a lead to the teachers and to give them a practical idea of the methods to be adopted in the teaching of rural or agricultural subjects. But they had also something else to do; they had to impress upon the children that farming was the greatest profession, just as it was the most valuable one to the colony. He did not intend to go into the question of freetrade, but he could not avoid saying that there were a number of industries in the colony that were not of any value

to many people, who were assured they were kept up by the imposition of protective duties, which had to be borne by the farmers and consumers generally. He did no think it wise for the Union to run an accident insurance company. He thought they should take a more active part in politics than thev had done, although they had dor.e so from the farmer's view point, but not from a party standpoint. He hoped they would not enter into party politics and become the "hacks" of any political party. The union was a defensive organisation. It might possibly have to fight yet, and it was therefore necessary to be prepared for any emergency that might arise. They must be guided by principle in considering any political or economic subject that might come forward. He congratulated them on the wonderful prosperity of the colony. It was 47 years since wool was at its present high price, but they could not, however, expect it to keep at that price. Resolutions were carried as follows: — (1) That the Government be asked I to so amend the Land Acts as to give I all Crown tenants the option of purchasing the freehold of their land at the original value on payment o£ the difference between the 4 per cent, now charged under the lease-in-perpetuity and the 5 per cent, charged to tenants with the right to purchase. (2) That Land Boards be given power in their regulations to allow tenants under the Land for Settlement Act to cultivate their farms as they pleased, provided they had spent a sufficient amount on the farm to protect the lessor. (3) That the Government be asked to

give all subsidies on a graduated scale. (4> That local bodies be represented on tbe Assessment Courts. (5) That the Railway Department run as many exclusively stock trains as possible during the busy season. (6) That the Government authorise the High Commissioner to enquire into excessive London warehouse charges on wool, with a view to getting same reduced. (7) That no further increase of duty be imposed on imported agricultural implements. (8) That thp : Government exempt potatoes from the customs duty of 20 per cent, ad valorem, owing to the potato blight in this colony. (9) That the proposed export duty on hides be opposed. The Conference adjourned till tomorrow morning.