FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 136, 30 May 1908, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

• SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE. Per Press Association. Invorcargill, Last Night. , Tho annual conference of delegates of | tho Southland branch of the Farmers' , Union is being held here. Mr. J. Mc- ; Queon is presiding, and 47 delegates arc present. : The chairman stated that he belicVed the Union should take a greater inter- ; est in politics, particularly in regard to the representation of agricultural inter- , ests. devolutions were passed as follows: Tliut all Parliamentary candidates be asked to pledge! tlieinsulvi's lo try and amend the Arbitration Act as proposed by the Minister of Labor last session in regard to Wages Boards and officials of labor unions; that the Government take more active stops for the immigration 1 of farm laborers from the United Kingdom; that an analysis of artificial manures should bo given in simpler terms; that no system of land tenure that docs not allow tho farmer to obtain the freehold can be satisfactory to the fanning community, and that the option#)' system should apply to all gettlciueni. as well as Crown and, while the c:>:i,"< :-"mv favors reasonable limitation of a ; that tho subsidy to tlie Navy !■" at least £1100,000; that tlie Union (» <.,>■»>!:• ed'to farmers coming under til s -cupc of the Arbitration Act, and that a petition be presented from the unions throughout tho Dominion to the coming Parliament exempting agriculturalists iroin its operation; that tho meeting protest against preference to unionists, more especially in regard to tho farming community; that public works be constructed by contract instead of bv the co-operativo system; that determined efforts be made to have the clause lclatmg to the valuation of improvements m the Valuation Act amended bv , giving full value for actual benefit to laud from improvements other than visible; that the Colonial Council resist any attempt involving alteration of the present franchise for local bodies or tho introduction of a general referendum or fair rent Bill.

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