FARMERS’ UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9433, 1 May 1909, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION.

MEETING OF SOUTHLAND EXECUTIVE.

Per Press Association

Invercargill, April 30.’ At the meeting of the Southland Executive of the Farmers’ Union the following (among other) remits to be submitted to the annual conference, were received That a protest be entered against the alteration in the size of grain sacks; that strong exception be taken to the action of the Southland Acclimatisation Society in securing the protection of hares ; that imported timber be placed on the free list, and 'no distinction be made in railway charges as between imported and New Zealand timber; that steps be taken to secure the immigration of suitable faun servants, especially ploughmen; that firstclass railway tickets at second-class rates he issued to farmers attending the conference; that when valuation is being made a vainer should be appointed by the farmers and act in conjunction with the Government vainer; that taxation •on land and on money lent on land be put on a more equitable basis. ’ One branch will submit a motion regretting the Government’s Dreadnought action without first consulting Parliament. The Executive will submit that the contract system of public works be reverted to as more satisfactory than co-operative; that by the taxation of growing flax; thatia protest be entered against the continual increase in valuations of unimproved rural lauds; that Government be urged to amend- the law so as to enable ©very settler to have the option of acquiring:the freehold of lands for settlement. It is understood that che dairy regulations will be generally reviewed and dealt with. FEILDING BRANCH. A meeting of the committee was held yesterday afternoon. Mr A. R. Mayo, vice-president was in the chair. There were eleven members present. EXCESSIVE VALUATIONS. A letter was received from Mr J. F. Sealing, asking whether an Assessment Court would be held at Feilding; whether there wonld be any expense in connection witn an obieotion, and whether the Union would take the matter ap for members. , .

Mr A. Campbell said the Union nbould take action. The unimproved valuation of his section had been;increased by £6 an acre. A sale had recently taken place of an adjacent section under favourable conditions at £23, while his valuation was £25, and the valuation had been chiefly increased on the unimproved value. There had only been aslight increase on the improved value. Mr F. J. Boddy said two years ago the improvements on his section were valued at £246, He had since spent £SOO on improvements and still the improvements were only valued at £246. He did not know why it was put up so. There had certainly been no increase in real values the last two years. Oapt. Campbell said it was to get more taxation.

Mr A, Campbell . proposed : “That this meeting take a firm stand regarding the recent increased valuations by meetings in different parts of the district, with the view of taking combined action and ing the cases before the Assessment Court.”

Mr A. R. Mayo seconded the motion.

Mr H. Burrell said there was the old complaint of keeping down the improved valuation and raising the unimproved. He could not object to his valuation as a whole because of the sales that had taken place, though to his mind if their farms were offered for sale by auction for cash they would not bring the valuations placed upon them. A section in his neighbourhood had changed hands several times recently and the last purchaser had forfeited his deposit of £250. Suoh were some of the sales on which Government valuations were based. In regard to his own valuation it was £13,000 unimproved, and £3OOO improved, and they conld judge whether a farm of that valuation oould be improved to a workable state by an expenditure of £3OOO. Mr 3?. Y. Lethbridge said the valuations were supposed to be based on sales under ordinary favourable conditions. He did not think the landholders in his neighbourhood would object. The motion was carried. . The following were dealt with as remits to the Conference * THE FREEHOLD.

Mr Q. Wheeler proposed “That tenants holding under the o.i.p. tenure be allowed to purchase their holdings at any time after the completion of the stipulated Improvements.”

Mr Wheeler said under the present law the tenant oould not purchase within ten years of his taking up the holding . A couple of years ago money oould bo borrowed at from 4% to 5 per cent., but now it could not be obtained at less than 6% per cent., so that the occupier was unable to choose the favourable time to borrow. He oould not see that the restriction now operating oould serve any useful purpose. Mr H. Burrell seconded, and the motion was carried.

Mr MaoFarlane proposed “That the Premier be requested to keep his promise to carry cement on the railways for dairy purposes free.” Two or three members spoke against the proposal on the ground that it was an attempt to get something for dairymen which could not be granted to others. Mr E. H. Bsmar seconded the motion, which was carried on the casting vote of the chairman. The Chairman proposed ‘‘That Land Boards consist of five members ; that Crown tenants he allowed to elect two, thelGovernmeut appoint two, and the Crown Lands Commissioner district to be chairman.’' ■*

Mr MaoFarlane seconded the motion, which was adopted. Mr A. Campbell proposed “That at all stock sales where stock are submitted fcr sale, the auctioneer be required to name the vendor and purchaser. ” Seconded by Mr F. J. Boddy and carried.