N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 179, 20 July 1908, Page 3

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

iaranaki executive meeting

A meeting of the Taranaki Provincial Jixccutive of the New Zealand Farmers' i" 1011 ;vas Jieltl at idawera on Thursday. AwMt-ifam. J. \y. Jones (PaU-a). P'csiding, J_ jj ilvi(j!jon (H., Wolil ) J llionison (Ngaire), J. Stevenson (Kal'!i m, V? xM " n ' ly < lilUl,u "), J- AV. «."r (Otakeho), I{. Limbic (l'ilian.a,, iimn>i> Forsyth (Piliama). 1 a! n AND ItEIUTKS. At Hie previous meeting the Uxraitiv, iliocusaed the question of shinning com bines ami the system of deferred ivnates, and resolved to bring the matters under the .notice of the Chambers of Com. liieiee, it being recognised that (hey wore the bodies best able to deal with the questions. Several replies were received from the various Chambers communicated Willi, f."!.. 1 , 7," s that last year the Jiutisli (.overiinient appointed a Koval Commission to enquire into the operations 0 t shipping rings, and more especially into the system of deferred rc'V. ~ ts rc P ort was probably by J 111 the hands ot the Government. 11 tx, 'ant! Chamber pointed out Mat the only action which could be taken in Aew Zealand would appear to be for 1 arliament to enact legislation making rebates illegal within the Dominion.

. 10UTI0AL ATTITUDE. A letter was read from the Auckland Kxecutive saying they felt sure that the majority of the farmers of the Dominion are agreed that thev must take a much more active part in political matters if they are to work out their own salvation. The farming industry' produces 82% per cent, of the wealth the Dominion, vet this industry h the only one which has not its own representatives m Parliament, Taxation and cost of living have s o increased that unless an earnest effort lie made to better our condition we shall shortly find that Ti C * l " mble to l )roihlec at 11 pi-i'JO that will allow us to compete in the markets of the \forld. The letter contained a petition askiii" farmers and the Union to support only sueh candidates as would give a written pledge to strenuously support the following tlu-ee planks of the Union's platform: "(1) Taxation for revenue purposes only; (2) optional tenure of land; (o) that only ratepayers be empowered to vote on local government matters m county councils, road boards, and rural districts." in cases where the candidates are, m the opinion of the Provincial Executive and district branches, opposed to the interests of the farming community, it shall be incumbent upon such 'branches to secure a candidate, -f possible, worthy of their confidence The chairman said if they adopted the three planks referred to it would mean that they would bind their union together; it would mean that unless a member was prepared to sink his present party questions he would be of no furtlicr use to the union. Sir. Davidson: 1 think" so, too. llr. Thomson said that "taxation for revenue purposes only" was tile fifth plank of their platform now. The chairman remarked that it was often found that -when that particular question came up members of Parliament preferred party to the fawners' platrorm. "We want," he said, "to form a tanners' Party that will work exclusively in the interests of the farmers, and more especially with reference to the three planks proposed. He pointed out how _ the cost of production was going up in New Zealand, and said there was no guarantee that it would come down. Unless they had a more consistent policy of working together they would ultimately find themselves "going down," and they would have to pull together to keep their side of the plank up a bit. Mr. J. U. Murray said there was no doubt that the Union had got into an unsatisfactory position. Tliey were at present just a weakling struggling for an existence. They must work more together, and in that respect try and copy the example of other unions. He was of the opinion tliev must have a distinct farmers' party 'if they wished to make good progress. Mr. Forsyth: What is meant by a distinct fanners' parly? Mr. Murray: That they should vote as they were ordered to. Mr. Forsyth: That is the one thing you can't get the farmers to do. (Laughter.) Mr. Murray moved, "That this Executive is in. sympathy with the political aspirations of the . Auckland province, and that the delegates to the Colonial Conference be instructed to support same,"

Sir. Davidson seconded. Sir. Blair: ]f the three plunks suggested are adopted, are the other planks of the Union to lie done away vvitii V

Mr. Davidson: These will he the ''keynote" of our platform. The chairman acquiesced, llr. Forsyth combated the suggestion that the Union had made no progress. He pointed out that the late Mr. Seddon had said that at the last elections the Union returned a majority of the House pledged to the Union's platform. The political aspect was a serious one, and lie thought the Union were going on the wrong track, and did not think the mover's proposal would lie carried at the Colonial Conference. He did not think they would get members to vote against their party interests. ilr. Blair argued that the matter of political attitude was so complicated that lit- himself had not, known how *,o deal with it—in fact, lie was "all at sea.'' If the motion were carried t would probably mean a break-up of the Union. They were only a small body and—

Mr. Davidson: We are the largest body in the Dominion. Mr. Blair proceeded to say it seemed to him that, the question would resolve itself into one of "individualism." Mr. Thomson said if the Union selected a Government candidate as the Union candidate he would support tile Opposition candidate, for the reason that there were too many Socialists in the Government. They wanted a stronger Opposition and men in the House who would look after the interests of the farmers.

Mr. Stevenson contended that the only way to take up a stronger political attitude would be to increase their membership, and so cultivate a power in the House.

Mr. Allhusen said tliat Mr. Forsyth struck the nail 011 the licail when he sakl they could not get any fanner to depart from his particular party; they had an illustration of it in the room ill Mr. Thomson. (Laughter.) Mr. Thomson: I will vote for the Oplosition. (Renewed laughter.) Mr. Allhusen: Every time, lie did lot think they could do better than riiat they had already done, namely, :eep a record of members' actions in 'arliament, and in the case of a man v'lio would not look after their interests hey should do all in their power to pre■cn't that man from re-entering the louse. He also suggested that the flovrnment and Opposition should form a oalition to work against the, Lnborites. Mr. Davidson suggested that the varius branches should hold meetings to hoosc a candidate, and when a decision nd been arrived at the fanners should ive that particular candidate a block ote. Mr. Lambie said that as the Colonial would be sitting shortly they hmild refer the question to them, and , akc a lead from the Conference. lie bought that would be the best course o adopt at present, and finally discuss hi! matter at next meeting. _ He niovcJ s an amendment, "That this question e referred to the Colonial Conference, lid that it be asked to give the Execuive a lead." Mr. Blair seconded. After some, further discussion the inendmcnt was carried by 5 to 4. IMMTGEATIOK

Mr. Allhusen moved, ''That persons resident in the Dominion should allowed to nominate other than relatives for a reduced passage, and that the capital qualification should not he enforced in the ease of farm and domestic nominees." Seconded l>y Mr. LamW and carried. —Hawcra Star.