FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 31 May 1907, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

NORTH CANTERBURY CONFER- . ENCE. Per Press Association. ' Christchurch, May 80. The annual conference of representatives of the Farmers' Union was opened ; to-day. The president, Mr D. Jones, addressed the delegates present, reviewing the work of the Union for the past year. He adversely criticised the land Bill. Referring to the taunt that had : been levelled against the Farmers' Union, that it was interfering in politics, he said in some respectß it was impossible not to do so, but the Union had striven to avoid party polities. The Union would have opposed the Land Bill whether introduced by the Government or by the Opposition. He advocated co-operation amongst fanners in respect to the sale of wool, following on the lines that had proved so successful in the butter industry.

Mr D. Jones was unanimously re-elect-ed president. Mr F. M. Ryan was reelected vice-president and Mr Wilfrid Hall treasurer.

Mr G. W. Leadly moved "That this conference of farmers representing all parts of North Canterbury, desire to place on record tliflr emphatic protest, that in the interests of the colony no legislation relating to the proposal of the unsold Crown Lands will be satisfactory unless it clearly provides for the option of securing the freehald in all eases where laud is under close settlement conditions and all farmers arc urged to do their utmost to secure the legalising of this principle.' 1 After a lengthy discussion the motion was carried.