FARMERS’ UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8827, 31 May 1907, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

North Canterbury Conference. Per Press Association. CiiiiisTciimtcir, May 30; The Annual Conference of representatives of the North Canterbury branches of tho Farmers’ Union was opened today. The President, Mr D. Jones, addressed the delegates present, reviewingtho work cl tho Union for the past year. He adversely criticised the Land Bill. Kef erring to the taunt that had been levelled against the Farmers’ Union that it was interfering in politics, he said it was impossible not to do so, but the Union had striven to avoid party politics. The Union would have opposed tho Land Bill whether introduced by the Government or by tho Opposition. He advocated Cooperation amongst farmers in respect to the sale of wool, following on tho lines that had proved so Successful in the batter industry. Mr D. Jones was unanimously re-elected president. A number of tho delegates spoke in the highest terms of appreciation of the work Mr Jones had done for the Farmers’ Union. Mr M. F. Eyan was re-elected vice-president and Mr Wilfred Hall treasurer.

Mr G. W. Loadloy moved “ That this i conference of farmers representing all * parts of North Canterbury desire to place j on record their emphatic protest that in ]; the interest of the colony no legislation 1 relating to the disposal of the unsold 3 Crown lands will he satisfactory unless it c clearly provides for the option of securing * the freehold in all cases where tho land is bid under closo settlement conditions, ( and all farmers arc Urged to do their 1 utmost to secure the legalising of this | principle.” ( After a lengthy discussion the motion was carried. ’