N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 88, 21 April 1913, Page 7

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

PROVINCIAL EXECTTJ VE

The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Executive N’.Z. Farmers’ Union was held at Hawcra on Thursday. Present:—Messrs J. Davidson (president), E. Maxwell, R. Lambie, A. E. Washer, J. Swindlehurst, Cl. Capper, H. Buxton, F. J. Virgin, 11. Dunn, A. Hunter, and S. Forsyth. Messrs C, A. Wilkinson, J. B. Hine, and H. Okey, M.’s.P., wrote in reply to the executive’s representations on tiie Water Pollution Bill, stating that they would see that the interests of farmers were protected should the Bill again come before the House. A letter was was received from the New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders’ Association in which it stated that the oißcial form of a breed society, when in the form as used by the Jersey Breeders’ Association, was a sufficient guarantee of entry and recognition of the transfer.

Annual returns were received from the Ngaere, Lowgarth, Mangatoki, Toko, and Kaimato branches. The Eltham branch forwarded the following resolution: “That in view of the large number of members in arrear with their subscription to the Union, the Dominion Executive bo asked to authorise proceedings to be taken to recover outstanding subscriptions.”—Resolved to forward the request to the proper authority. The following remits was considered for the order paper of the Provincial Conference to be held at Eltham on May loth.

Auroa.—That Government bo urged to bring down a Seed Control Biil.— Adopted. Ngaere.—That Government be requested to pass legislation to make the half-holiday universal.—Adopted. Mangatoki.—That it be a recommendation to Government to bring in a Seeds Control Bill and pass legislation making it illegal to sell or distribute seeds of any kind that are impure or contain any mixture of noxious weeds.—Adopted. That the members of this branch consider that farmers should have the right to vote on the half-holiday question.—Not to go forward, the majority of the executive considering that no effectivevote would :be recorded, and that the expense would be too great. Patea.—That stock inspectors and other Government officials be empowered to assist noxious weeds in;pectors in enforcing the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act.—Adopted. That the Railway Department notify country consignees by collect wire, if necessary, of the despatch of stock Or goods to afford! thenF'an opportunity of unloading trucks without incuring demurrage.—Adopted.

‘ TAXATION. ■Mr Maxwell was granted jpermission to withdraw $ j notice of niption, tabled in ■ to altering, the present system cif,Taxation, ans f t lieu thereof proposed the following as a remit for the Provincial Conference: That the Provincial Conference be asked to fraine -for reference, to , tho Dominion Conference a scheme for a more equitable system of direct taxation. ~. , „ l)0 ,fx i £,'•( .. ■ Mr Dunn .sccondeplj .and, it.,wap carried;I'* 1 '* ’■ ■ . O’ •' i(){< h- • The following, additional admits were dealt with i-y/.y i < ■ * |,. )f Hawera.—That all manures be.guaranteed.—The remit was not passed, as in the opinion of the executive farmers wore sufficiently protected under the Fertilisers Act. Executive. —That the Fencing Act be so amended as to make provision for compelling owners and occupiers to keep dividing fences clear of scrub and other noxious growth. Executive. —That t pj}P request to the Government to amend Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Act in certain directions, and extending its scope to apply to accident business, be renewed. Executive.—That the conference urges upon the Government to pass the Stallion Bill prepared by the Veteri nary Department. Executive. —That with a view to counteracting the injury caused by the dissemination of fallacious views by the socialists and single taxers, this conference urges that political economy be made a compulsory subject in the higher schools.

LAND VALUATION. It was decided to send last year’s remit on land valuation again to the Provincial Conference. It reads as follows:—“That the valuation of Lands Act bp so altered as to permit of all improvements of whatever nature made to land, and also capital value, on a five per cent, basis, of any special rates paid on such land for reading, etc., being reckoned as improvements.” DRAFT ON WOOL. It was decided that the Colonial Executive he asked to make another effort to have the draft on wool abolished, and that the request be sent direct to the Advisory Board. The secretary reported that Mr Allhusen, of Kaponga, had presented the executive with £l, and a motion was passed thanking him for his practical sympathy.