NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8113, 18 May 1906, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

CONFEBENCB OP PBOTINfIAL DELEGATES. ( BY OUR SPECIAL BBPOBTBB ) ELECTION OF OSPICSB6. The election of officers resulted President, Mr S. Forsyth (Pihama) ; rice-president, Mr E. Maxwell (Raiotu)s hon. auditor, Mr B. Dire Eltliam) j executive: Messrs Davidion (Hawera), Lambie (Upunake, l , Biker (Norraanby), Jones (Patea), Thomson (Ngaire), Hine (Waitara), Hodgson (Eltliam), Allhuson (Knponga), Chapman (Awatuna). Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring president, the executive, the secretary and auditor. The Conference resumed at the Masonio Hall, Eltham, at 10.30 on Thursday morning. Mr S. Foriyth, the newly-elected president, took the chair. Several delegates arrived at iater stages of the proceedings.

taxation kVD valuation. Mr Jones moved, " That whefe valuation revision Courts sit, one of the assessors shall be appointed by the representatives of the farmer." Mr Burgess seconded,—Carried unanimously. Mr Maxwell, for the Executive, moved, "That this Conference views with alarm the statement lately reported to have been made by the Premier with regard to taxation, and protests against the proposal that further taxation should be plaoed on the already overburdened farmer." Mr Davidson seconded. He explained that when the Premier was in Auckland the statement referred to had been made. The sooner farmers put their heels 08 this sort of thing the better would it be.—Carried.

TABIPF. Mr Hodgson moved, "That with a view to emphasising the farmers' opinions on tariff reform, and to draw public attention thereto, a petition be drawn up and circulated through the medium of tho branches, signed by all bona iide farmers and presented to Parliament, the substance of the petition to be,' that the only fair and equitable way of altering the tariff be in the direction of a revenue tariff with preference to British goods earned in British bottoms.'"

Mr Jones seconded pro forma. Mr Burgess moved as an amendment that tho words " with preference to British goods carried m British bottoms," be struck out.

Seconded by Mr J. A. Jones,Amendmont lost.

Mr Mackie said he was an out and out freetrader, as that was, in his opinion, the only equitable wiy of taxation. The man who would over, tax the family man was doing a most unjust thing. He would move as an amendment, " that the only fair and equitable way of altering the tariff is in the direction of absolute freetrade." Mr Boddie asked Mr Mackie to explain to the meeting how he would propose providing for revenue. He (the speaker) Would like to see certain industries which were in the eolony done away with. They were industries which did not better the country, as the goods could be imported cheaper. He would like to see the people engaged in those industries tarn their attention to other lines.

Mr Mackie did not think much could be said on anything palpably unjust. It was unjust that the man with the large family should be made to carry the largo't burden of taxation. Such was the case at present Mr Marx moted its a further amendment, that the remit read, " That the only fair and equitable way of altering the tariff be in the direction of a revenue tariff, with preference to British goods carried in British bottoms." Mr Hine seconded,—Carried. Mr Boddit, for tke Executive,• moved, "That this conference views with disapproval the Premier's proposal to lower the duty on tobacco or on any other luxury." He thought there were many other goods upon whioh the duty could be lowered.

Mr J. A. Jones seconded. Mr Maxwell did not think that the talk of the reduction was seriously meant,—Carried.

Mr Hodgson moved, "That whilst agreeing with the principle of tho admission of farm products free of duty, this branch opposes any alteration of the tariff except in the direction of a revenue tariff and preferential trade within the Boipire." Dr Davidson seconded. Mr Marx opposed the remit, a» alto did Mr Hine.

Messrs Boddie and Maxwell spoke at length on the advantages and disadvantages of Freetrade.—Carried by 7 to S.

3KKEBAL. Mf Voullaire (Riverlea) moved, " That the Government be seriously approached to allow members of the Farmors' Union, in all cases where new State Insurance is demanded and insisted upon, the* option to insure either in tho State Office or the. Farmers' Mutual," Mr Boddie seconded tad explained that the State departments as a whole wero accepting the insurances of the I Farmers' Mutual,—Carried.

PKOFO9BD OrtWAKB SaiLWaT. Mr Maxwell movca, "That this branch urgo in the Conference the need to impress on the Government the noeessily of this district being connected by railway via Opunake to some part of the pain lino." The speaker stated that what was wanted at Opnnake was a railway. The country was good, and the settlers wer« entitled to railway communication. Boad rating was too heavy, and good roads could not bo obtained. Mr Davidson seconded.

Mr Marx moved as an amendment, that the words, "To obviate cost of repurchase the present route be recommoijded," be added to the motion. Mr Hodgson seconded, It must not bo thought because ho was an Eltham farmer that he would advocate that the line run into Eltham. What the farmers wanted was a railway through Iho country. Tho roading was too expensive an item to farmers already, and thoy were deserving of better commnnication.

Mr Hinfi opposed tlie amendment, and was supported by Mr Turnbull. Mr Boddie said that tho proposed railway was not a question for the towns. The towm were not very anxious to have it. It vras a question for the farmers. The district was gradually being eut up, and would be one of the most densely populated in the colony. What they would and should push for was a railway that wonld be central and a benefit to settlers " Let us, as a conference, urge upon the Government the great need there is of giving to tho settlers a railway route." The spoaker recommended the motion as amended. Tho amendment was carried by 7 to 8, and the original motion, as amended, was then agreed to.

GOVEHNME.NT SxmilllSTAti STATION', lIC. On resuming, after luneheoi, the following motion was moved by Mr Hodgson, "That tho ercetion of a dairy experimental station be urged upon the Government." Mr Mackie seconded, and made a suggestion that an experimental laboratory be applied for. Mr Davidson did not think that such a station was needed. Tho industry bad many good men who were turning out excellent work and products. Besides, the laboratory in Wellineton supplied all needs. The Chairman concurred with tho last speaker. He thought they were | asking far too much from the Government. They already had muoh in the way of grading experts, etc. Money i would be better spent oa roads, Mr Jones opposed the motion. Mr Burgess spoke strongly in fnyor of the motion.—Carried by 6 to 4.

BNCOUBiniNU TEER PLANTING. - Mr Burgess moved "That this branch believes that by encouraging the planting of shelter tree*, the Government would greatly benefit the colony and this district in particular,

and drawß attention to the fact that the Premier has expressed his entire sympathy with that oause, but has not jet done anythiag i» that direction." Mr Maxwell seconded a»d vged that the matter be forwarded.

Mr Marx thought they were asking too much. The Gorernijient proyided Kood plants at nominal cost and farmers i should do the rest. He would propose rthat the remit j'ome up for diseussion in 6 months" tiinr. Mr Davidson seconded.

The Chairman al*o opposed the motion. He did not think it was a fair thin,? to m tke further application to tlio Government. The Government had exempted settlers from taxation in this respect. Mr Maxell challenged this statement.

Mr Boddie thought ho was quite right in s tying tint shelter areas on farms were exempt from certain taxation, Oilier spe.ikets said there was no precedent to no upon. The motion was lost.

OH Bit SHEDS AND M INCHES, Mr Burgess moTed, "That this branch it in favor of the Executive ascertaining the lowest price at which seeds and manures could be procured for members of the Union." Mr Turnbull seconded.—Carried,

BXCUHSIOK SAIL WAY IIOKBTB. Mr Voullaire moved, " Tint farmers have the aamo right as friendly societies, registered trades unions, eto., in regard to excursion tickets, if travelling in parties of no less than 20."

Mr Marx seconded the motio* and luggested that the words," that excur--1 Man lares during the Palmerston Show week be extended for 4 weeks, and be available over the whole Colony," be added.

Mr Davidson was of opinion thnt 12 or more persons could get concessions ! provided they eombmed together and I booked a ear and he thought farmers could do the same.

Mr Boddie explained that oft two occasions the matter had been brought before the Colonial Executive, and it had been thrown oat.

The amended motion was lost by 9 to 5.

THS fencing ACT. Kr Hodgson mored: " That the attention of the Confereftec bo drawn to the unsatisfactory aondition of the Fencing Act in its bearing on the ewnership and liability for respeotir* shores of boundary fences, and this branch urges that an effort be made to secure to the owner of a property that part of a boundary fence originally agreed upon, and further saggested that the whole of the Fencing Act be reoast." Mr Marx seconded.

Several dolegates spoke in favor of the Fencing Act being brought more up-to-date, Mr Boddie suggesting that the conference suggest the desired alterations. The motion was carried.

IMMIOBITION. Mr Allhusen mored: "That this branch draw the attention of the Government to the shortage of farm and domestic labor, and t'.is retarding of the development of the eonntry thereby, and are is favor of a. strong forward immigration pohoy." Mr Hodgson seeoaded.—Carried unanimously.

Biretr dutt, Mr Turabull moTeds "That this braneh strongly protests against any export duty on farm produoe of any description, and would like to see more prominence given to plank 5 of Union platform."

Mr Hodgsotl Seconded.—Carried unanimously.

FREEDOM OP CONTBICT. The Chairman moved i " That this branch approvoi of the principle of freedom of contract, and considers that no individual should in any way be prevented from disposing of his labor on whatever terms he may think most advantageous." Mr Maxwell seconded.—Carried unanimously. GBKMAL. Resolved: " That branches be urged to advance the circulation of the Union's official organ and generally further its welfare.—Carried. Mr Baker moved," That this Conferenoe views with alarm the frequent oceurrence of criminal assault on young children and considers the penalty imposed for same quite inadequate." ; Mr Marx moved as an amendment, "That the matter be rnled out from discussion " Mr Marx afterwards withdrew his amendment and the motion was put : and carried.

A luggestion wot made that the Minister for Justice should receive a' copy of th* resolution through the 'Colonial Exeeutiva of the Farmers' Unioß. USD TtKVtS. _ Mr Maxwell moved, " That ill addi--1 tion to the agitatioa for option for the freehold in favor of Crown tenants, the same in favor of all leaseholders on equitable terms of native lands be prosecuted with the utmost vigor." i Mr Hine seconded I Mr Davidson strofijly opposed the > motioh. Mr Allhuseri moved as an amendment, " That the option of the freehold on equitable terms to both be granted to native leaseholders at the expiration of their present leases." Mr Marx seconded. The amendment was put and lost. Tho motion was then put and on a show of hands the voting was equal. The Chairman's casting vote decided ,ia favor of the motion.

! INOCULATION OF CALVES. Mr Turnbull moved, " That in the opinion of this Confer.ence further information is necessary on the subject of inoculation of calves for blaokleg and that the Chief Government Veterinarian be requested to supply information." Mr Davidsoa seconded.—Carried. This concluded the business and the President thanked the delegates for attending the Conference and hoped much good woifld result from their deliberations. Votes of thanks to the chair, the press and the Eltham Masonic Lodge (for use of hall) were passed and the Conference concluded.

J MEETING OP EXECUTIVE. A mesting of the newly-formed Executive was afterwards held, the Provincial President in tho chair. Resolved, that Eseautive meet at Hawera monthly, at 11.30 a.m. on tho Thursday before the 3rd Friday of each month.

Mr Thomson (Ngaire) was re-ap-pointed hon. treasurer. Mr Hodgson was empowered to sign cheques. Mr Naughton was re-elected secretary and accorded a hearty vote of 1 thankii.