FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7973, 9 November 1905, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE

(I'or Press Association.) CIIKISTOHURCII, NOV. 8. The annual summer couiercuei> of the New Zealand Farmers' Union opened this afternoon, Mr J. (i.. Wilson being in the chair. The President, in liis aidtcss, said that the Uuiou had prospered", and (armors generally looked forward to a a very bright Suture. Referring to the depression in the lanil) trade, lie eonsid.ivd lhat Australia was likely to be New Zealand's most prominent rival. If llie progress of the potato disease was not arrested the mc.'ssity of giving the Maoris help would probably have to be faced. The Land Conmiissitn's report was most .extraordinarily against the weight of evidence, tile bulk of which was in favour of the freehold, He was glad to think lhat the public was taking sides with the formers on the question, awl that in tile near future (he freehold would be granted. Referring to! the Harvester Trust, ho thought farmers were against import duties on machinery, but were quite willing thai the duty should he taken off the raw material used in the. colony.

During the day motions were adopted affirming that all arterial and main roads be maintained by the Public Works Department ; protesting against the present system of cooperative labour, and recommending that, all public works be let by tesddor ; affirming lhat tenants under 'ease in perpetuity should be granted the. right of acquiring I hi. freehold at the original valualiui, plus (he addition of mi amount to i.-qwolise their payments, Willi compound interest, added, with occupation willi right of purchase tenants ; that only ratepayer I* empowered to vote on local £<>Y<'nujirnl 'iivaKits in eountjVs, road beards and rural districts. .Motions recommending the purchase of*.!) „r MIO acres of land in the North and Sou (hi Islands to be workjil as txpeiimenlal farms umbr (lie auspices ol the tanners' Union"; antTYeMUeslnig that in future dealings with nat ivc land, [•lnropeans should he given the option of acquiring ■(lv<- freehold, were relorrul to next conference At the evening sitting a deputation U.IK received front implement makers and workmen engaged in the imlnstrv wi h whom the conference discussed committee, thf effects of the Harvrslci' J rust.