FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 8 May 1907, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

TARAXAKr PROVINCIAL. ' CONKBKKXL'E. The animal Tiirakai l'rnviiioia) (.'(inference is to be lipid at \ew Plymouth mi | Wednesday ami Thursday, .May lot li ami ltfl.li. In addition to the President's address, dealing «itli the report and bal-ance-sheet, and the election of otlii-eis, « lengthy order paper has been prep.i red for discussion. 'J'lie remits from the various branches are as follow: STOCK.

I'iverlea-That the Government V approached to remove the blackleg (juavjntine from Taranaki as soon as possible as it interferes detrimental}'' with the sale, of calves.

LAXO. area.— That the Farmers' Union sti-ongly opposes any methods of dealing with native surplus lands which create or perpetuate a system of Maori landlordism.

Warea.—That in the opinion of this branch the hand JSilll is opposed to the best interest of the farmers and the colony at large and that every farmer be urged to do his utmost in opposition to the same.

E\ecutive.—That further endeavor be made to secure the right to native leaseholders to secure the frehold.

Executive.—Th;it in any future setting aside of lands by way of endowment for education or any other purposes, lessees of isiicli laud shall have the option, of obtaining the freehold the purchase mutiny to be placed us principal in the endowment fund. Executive.—That until all Crown and native lands in the colony have been settled tiie Union opposes any interference with existing titles, such as limiting the area tlmt can be held of lands for which unhampered titles have been granted. Executive.—That Crown tenants may have the same privilege as West Coast Settlement Keserve tenants in the matter of paying rent through the P.O. XOXIOI'S WEEDS. Kaponga.—That inspectors under the Noxious Weeds Act be empowered to prosecute without first obtaining the permission of the Minister for Lands. Warea.—That in consequence of the serious spread of noxious weds in this district this branch is of opinion that more effective measures than are at present in force are necessary.

ROADS. Warea.—That this branch deplores the attitude of the Acting-Premier re the roading of the backblocks, ami urges that energetic steps be taken to provide settlers with proper mcttalled roads. ELECTORAL. I Hawcra.—That it is advisable that some beter method should be adopted to to regulate the secrecy of the ballot than at present in use, and that the electors' riglit system in vogue in New I South Wales be recommended.

Executive —That this Conference again affirms the unqualified opposition of the Fanners' Union to any attempt to introduce the referendum. LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Warea.—That in the opinion of this branch an alteration in the law is required to enable local bodies to make a charge on those making extraordinary lise of any particular road to help maintain same (timber carting, etc.)

Executive—That the Conference be asked to use every endeavor to resist any attempt on the part of the Government to alter the voting on local bodies, in the way of extending the franchise beyond actual ratepayers.

TAXATION AND VALUATION.

Stratford.—That where loans have been raised under the Loans to Local Bodies Act. and land mortgaged to the Govern ment to secure repayment of same with interest, that the. proportionate amount of liability be deducted from valuation in computing Land Tax, in same manner as ordinary mortgages are deducted. Stratford and Opunake.—That in valuing land the increased value by Government loans and local rates and contributions, shall be added to improved value, and not to unimproved value, and that the Valuation Act be amended in that direction.

Warea.—That the present system of valuation of lands occupied by Maoris, as compared with the valuation put upon lands adjoining occupied by Europeans is most unfair, Europeans being assessed at about 50 per cent, more than natives, whilst rates even on those valuations can only be collected to about 10 per rent, oi the total value in the case of Maoris. The state of atfairs is a. great havdslirp to settlers in certain districts, and the Conference is asked to use every eilort to remedy this state of things. TARIFF. Kaimata—That any alteration in (he tarilf should be ill the direction of reducing the taxes on the necessaries of life and on all tools and implements used in til? primary industries. The necessity for this is based on the action of the Colonial Council voting in favor ol pro lection oil wheat, llour, and potatoes. la noiu \,, a ire.—That owing to the trouble and Inconvenience experienced by settlers during the milking season, of employees leaving their employer at short notice, it should be enacted: That one weeks wages be held by the employer, such wages to be forfeited in the event of the employee not giving one week s notice of

leaving. I Kaponga. —That thin brunch woiilu draw tlie attention of tlic Government to the shortage of lm'iii and domestic laUir and the retarding of the development of the country thereby, and are in favor of a strong forward immigration nolicv. GENERAL. Patea.—That the hanks be asked to remove tV'ir half-yearly charge for keeping current accounts. Lincoln Road.—That this liranch ifcsires to call the attention of the l/iiion to the compensation paid for condemned stock, anil suggests that the amount paid be one-half the saleable value, instead of one-half the inspector's value as at present. ADMINISTRATION.

Executive. —That the rules be amended so as to provide that members of outgoing Executive be entitled to sit and vote al Provincial Conferences following their term of office.