FARMERS’ UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8747, 22 February 1907, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

Sandon Branch

A meeting of the members of the above branch was held last night, the President (Mr J. G. Wilson) in the chair-

The Chairman said the meeting had been convened to consider the repayment of farmers for sacks and to consider the Land Bill. In regard to the latter the Union had collected a fair amount of subscriptions from the branches for the purpose of placing before the people of the County the views of the Union on the Laud Bill. The Advisory Board thought it was necessary to do this as the Minister was going round explaining the provisions of the Bill ,f l ' om ld s point of view. The Union believed that'a strong statement, as clearly put as possible, should bo placed before the County. Consequently, by direction of the executive, a manifesto or statement on the subject was prepared to show the views Sof the farming community. Undoubtedly the chief objections to the Bill was that it would practically do away with the freehold, as the balance of Crown Laud would be allocated as endowments for education, hospitals &c. The late Mr Scddon suggested that 500,000 acres should be set aside as an endowment, but the present Ministry_ had- gone much further by proposing to withdraw all Crown Lands from sale. The Bill also contained a provision for the limitation of private estates. They were prepared to allow a limitation as provided by the Land for Settlement Act, but the limitation proposed in the Bill would be a danger to the Country at large. £50,000 worth of land was the limit,, and no man could buy who already possessed £15,000 worth. Here it was obvious that if those who lent money were prohibited from buying, security was weakened. As a matter of fact, some lending companies did stop operations until it could be seen how the Bill would affect securities, and some men who were financially strong, found a difficulty in procuring advances. That being so it could easily be understood thaC such a measure would most injuriously affect a large number of struggling farmers. The Minister had said the Bill must become law, as the country could not go on borrowing large sums of money to purchase estates, and settle people under The Lands for Settlement Act. To this the Union had the land you have bought.” The wisest course would be for the Crown to unload some of its investments by selling to the tenants, and then the process of settlement under this Act could continue. Per the Union had no objection to tbe working of this law as land can he bought and the owner receives the full value for his property. Government could sell at a profit most of the estates purchased. The Minister had said in favor of the Lund Bill that it would have the effect of throwing large areas of land upon the market. That would be of no benefit to poor men, it would bo of no benefit to the class of men who had setttled the Sandon district, for they could not have bought the land at its present value. In order to buy freehold land it would be necessary to pay down at least one-third of its value ; yet the capitalist could buy. As, however, the man who was compelled to sell would not be able to buy it back the security would be decreased and interest would rise. The rise of interest would injuriously affect the people of the towns also. Mr "Vv iison • explained what arrangements had been made to educate the people of the country on the subject, and drew attention to tne fact that the Minister, in consequence of the action of the Union, had met with considerable opposition, and in some case* votes had been given by meetings against his p ||!Mr Masters expressed the opinion that members of Sandon branch would be willing to subscribe towards cost of lectures on this subject, and it was resolved to ask members to subscribe. Mr Wilson mentioned that there were 6,000,000 acres of native lands to be brought under cultivation. On the question of fixing of grain the opinion was expressed that tbe demand had already favorably settled the question. . It was stated that 2s 8d was being paid for oats in Hawke’s Bay and £3 10s per ton for good bright lots of chaff. It would depend upon toe Southland crop as to future prices, as there were practically no oats in stock. In regard to price of sacks, stated they were quoted at from 7s to 10s 6d, or nearly Is a sack, and it was suggested that farmers [should co-ope-rate and import for themselves. & It was retolved in respect to repayment that farmers be recommended not to sell unless they are paid 8d per sack.