NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 3 July 1907, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

| ANNUAL CONFiSKUNCK Per Press Association. Wellington, July 2. The annual cononiul conference of the Farmers' I'nion opened a three days' session to-day, representatives being present from all parts of the colony. The president (Air J. G. Wilson), in a lengthy opening speech, reviewed t.i« principal topics of the day as they afleeted farmers. Ho ■ devoted special attention to tile history and preacut position of the Land Bill. .Regarding the changes announced .l>y the Governmen I, lie regretted the Union was not at present able to declare its attitude upon a position it could not ascertain, and this suggested to him the adviiabilit.y of holding future conferences later in the year. Jn reference to tarili' revision, he trusted the Union would keep a slurp look-out, and tai« such action as might prevent, the Government from going further than jnsl removing anomalies. The Union should also protest against the duty 011 wheat, Whilst he condemned Mr llcXab's Lam Bill, he gave the Minister warm praise for his control of the Agricultural Do partment, which was being run in thf interests of the farming classes. Kcmits on land tenures, on wliicl question the order paper contains h motions, are being considered. A lengthy discussion is taking plaet on a motion by Mr Cooper (Masterton) "That this conference, white considering the past land proposals of the Gov' eminent crude and unworkable, is kjl opposed to tlie principle of limitation of areas under some equitable system.-' An amendment from the Tar.uiakl de legates, urgiDg closer settlement c] jpiste lands, and omitting the questior of limitation, was combined in genera: discussion, aiid lost on the voices, aai Mr Cooper's motion carried. The general trend of the discussior was in the direction that it would bt wise policy for the Union to declare >t self for limitation, and so remove anj suspicion that the Union was beinj worked by largo landowners. The Farmers' Union passed a resolution that no form of tenure would give satisfaction which does not include the option of freehold. It was also decided that Crown tenants 011 the l.i.p. tenure be given the right to acquire the freehold of their holdings 011 payment by the lessee of the original value, and payment of the difference 011 the l.i.p. and- the "5 per cent, charged to tenants with the right of purchase,- and also that tenants under the Lands for Settlement Act be allowed to purchase at flic original valuation, provided all conditions imposed have been complied with. The Conference further decided that this conference is opposed to the proposal to set aside all remaining Crown lands as endowments in the hands of the Government for any specific purpose, with the exception of purely pastoral lands.