THE FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 17 May 1907, Page 2

THE FARMERS' UNION.

TAIUXAKI PROVINCIAL COXFEIIEXCK. THURSDAY'S SESSION. I he t oniereiice resumed its buMness on Thursday, Mr. K. Maxwell presiding The following remits were adopted:--LOCAL (iOVKUXMKNT. Warea: "That in the opinion of iViis branch an alteration in the law ii required to enable local bodies to make' a charge on those making extraordinary use of any particular road 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 and Opunake: •"That where loans have been raised under the Loans ' (o Local Bodies' Act, and lands mort-' gagvd to tiie Government 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 morlgagcs arc deducted: and that in valuing land the increased value given to same by improvements made by Government loans, and local rates and contributions, shall be added to improved value and not to unimproved value, and j that the Valuation Act he amended in I 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 Euorpeans is most unfair. Europeans being assessed at more than natives, whilst rates even on those valuations can only be collected to about 10 per cent, of the total in the ease of Maoris. This state of affairs is a great hardship to settlers in certain districts, and the Conference, is asked to use every effort to remedy this state of things."—Amended by the insertion of "considerably" in place of "about 50 per cent."

TARIFF. Kaimata: "That the tariff shall be altered in the direction of reducing the taxes on the necessaries of life. GENERAL. Kaponga: "That this branch . would draw the attention of the Government to the shortage of farm and domestic labor and the retarding of the development of the country thereby, and are in favor of a strong forward policy." Pat.ea: "That the banks be asked to remove their half-yearly charge for keeping current accounts." Executive: "That the rules be amended as to provide that members of outgoing executives will be entitled to sit and vote at Provincial Conference immediately following their term of office." AN "INTQUITV." Mr. Virgin (Tarata) moved —"That the Confeernce protest against the iniquity of'levying the sheep tax when the stock inspectors are employed the greater part of the time in the inspection of dairy herds and other stock, the Conference is of opinion that the expenses of the Stock Department should be paid out of the consolidated revenue." Explaining the motion, the mover said the sheep tax should be abolished, on the ground that "scab" was now extinct, and the tax had been imposed on its account. There had been no scab in the colony for about 20 years. Mr. Voullaire thought the motion should not refer to the work of the inspectors, for the Government might shift the tax on to cattle.

Mr. Jones (Patea) would oppose the motion. The fanners were getting the benefit of the Stock Department, and should pay for it. He thought the cost of the Department should be shared by all farmers. The remit was adopted. . DEFERRED PAIMENT. Mr. Davics (I'ruti) proposed that, in the opinion of the Conference, the deferred payment system of land occupation should again be put on the statute book. Mr. Jones (Stratford) seconded. The chairman considered the deferred payment system had spelt prosperity to the. early settlers, and had really been the queans of making many districts. Mr. Lambie considered it was one of tho finest systems of land settlement ever introduced in the colony, and it would he a good thing if it again came, into operation. The motion was adopted without dissent. FENCING. Mr. Iline (Waitara) moved that in justice to landholders it is essential that the Crown should bear the ordinary liabilities of fencing as regards reserves contiguous to settled lands. Seconded by Mr. Davis (Uruti) and carried. The Conference decided to reprint Mr. Maxwell's articles on land valuation, should funds permit. REMITS C EJECTED. The following remits were rejected:—Ngaire: "That, owing to the (rouble and inconvenience experienced by settlers during the milking season, of employees leaving their employer at short notice, it should be enacted: 'That one week's 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.'" Lincoln Road: "That this branch desires to call the attention of the Union to the compensation paid for condemned stock, and suggests that the amount paid be one-half the saleable price, instead of one-half the inspector's value as at present." Executive: "That the services of Provincial Government Veteruinarian be available to farmers at a reasonable remuneration." The business was pushed forward rapidly, and the last remit was disposed of before noon. - A NOVEL SUGGESTION. A letter Avas read from the Waikouaiti branch (South Island), suggesting the formation of rifle clubs in connection with branches and stating (bat this had put new life ill their branch. Eventually district matches, and shield competition between representative, North and South Island teams could be arranged. —Referred to the executive.

Addressing the Conference. Mr. Maxwell urged delegates to keep the work going. There was urgent necessity for continuous action. Passing remits at Conference was of little use unless members strained every nerve to push them into effect. This was not a party organisation, though it was certainly a political body and members must not content themselves with watching either the Government or the Opposition, but should take a live interest in all movements that were likely to touch the pockets of the farmers. He concluded by moving a hearty vote, of thanks to the Mayor and burgesses of New Plymouth for having granted the free use of the Town Hall for the Conference. The motion was carried by acclamation. Mr. Voullaire moved a vote of thanks to outgoing officers.—Carried by acclamation.

At a meeting of the- executive held subsequently Mr. A. Xaughton was reelected secretary, and Mr. J. I<\ Thomson treasurer. Meetings will be held as usual at ltinvera.