NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 96, 20 May 1909, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION

TAHAXAKI PROVINCIAL £ EXKCITIVIi. The T iranalci Provincial Executive »f I the V* Zealand I'nrmers Uiion met yesterday in tlie Borough Council ChamLura at Stratford. Present; il( '" * <J - Maxell (president), Foraj ill K. Umbie, andJ«» Uanbo.i (members of the Executive), follow nig delegates-Ales*!? J.L.Moffat !y (Awatuna), X. A. Bridge (Kapuw), C.E. . Dobsou iKaiinata), A. ALinsou (KawnffOi# Hellier (Lepperton), t. f ' ld J (btrftaarth), H. Sutherland (Matapu), T. C&leman (Xgaire), A. Cross (Opu- ■' nake), C. Blake (Patea), A. Willaire (Biverlea), W. Rogers (Stratfoid), F. M Standish (Tarata), J. Burgess' (\U- -<• reft), J. U. Murray (Eltham). * CIVIC WELCOME. ■ j£r G Saugster (Mayor of Stratford) ' was present, and ill a brief speech on be"half of the people of Stratford, extended s a'hearty welcome to the conference. Being a farmer on a small scale himself, he had more than a passing interest in " -the Union's doings, and he was more than ever convinced of the advantages „ of the Union. He heartily wished the conference a eucce&ful and pleasant . time ■while in. Stratford. (Applause), c Mr E Maxwell said, in, welcoming the delegates, it was usual for the president to give an address, hut he did not pro- ' pose to do so on this occasion, as ic iSid not Bee that such an address was' of much use, and that discussion on remits ' - was mote appreciated. One matter he would refer to, and that was the result - of the late general election and the fact * that the farming community was so A-strongly represented in. present House. * This was the one great advancement ■*- made While the Union stood out of 6 politics, it must have a voice in the Par- : fiaraent of the country. This country I had to stand or fall by the success of "'-■' its primary products, and it was therefore very necessary to watch legislation most carefully in the interests of procress. (Applause). The report and ibalaucc-shei't were v, then read and adopted. SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS. Mr. G. Blake (Patea) moved—"That in view of the serious loss inconvenience : caused to settlers during the * last two months owing to the shortage of trucks to take away fat stock, the * Railway Department be urged to pro>r vide improved facilities before next aenaxa." In doing so, he remarked on the v? seriousness of tlie position, which had f been worse this year in South Taranaki „ than ever before. * Other members spoke in sympathy, > and the motion was carried without dis-f-s[- gent. sr ' SPEED OF MOTOR CARS. L Mr F, M. Standish (Tarata), moved i an amended - remit as follows —''That 'A- tihe attention of local bodies be drawn % to the fact thai some action should V be taken to regulate 'the speed of motor cars for the safety of the travelling pubfi- lie " In; speaking to the motion, Mi Standish thought that if local bodies Jr - would fix speed limits it would be foi the oublic safety, and he did not considef that the local bodies had shown * suflicient backbone in this matter. < Mr C. E. Dobsoji (Kaimata) secondly ed. > Mr. Blake (Patea) thought that the only solution would be to pass an Act £ hmitiag speed of motor cars. He also I I was of opinion that unless each car cari ned a speed recorder they could do verv ft- little. The chairman suggested) that they might leave the remit in the hands <>i 0: local bodies. ,* Aftjer further discussion the remit was - passed with the addition that the Con ">v fcrence recommended that Parliament !?' be asked to pass an Act regulating the speed of motor cars and motor bicycles throughout the colony. Mr. Burgess- 6 uggested that to make iv. -a uniform speed limit for all parts oi » the colony, as some suggested, would be s: absurd. i/ The chairman said this was not pro- ' posed, but merely to obtain rcgulaE- tion. THE LAND QUESTION. Mr. Crofis (Opunake) moved—"That t while there is so much waste land in New Zealand (both Crown and native) , awaiting settlement, this branch of the > New Zealand Farmers' Union considers gv.- it worse .than folly continuing borrow- £;>. ing in the foreign money market to pur- : chase improved private estates for the .-. purpose of leasing to settlers; the Gof- ■ vemment' acting as agent for the money- . lender by collecting the rents to pay interest on the borrowed money, thereby £<>'• creating a gigantic system of absentee If—landlordism that must ultimately prove disastrous to the Dominion." Mr. Cross T ' gave figures to show that the native % lands supported a sparse Maori popula- ' tion, and dwelt on the advisability of i-; securing the land before values' were •jf humped up. h i Sir. R. Lambie seconded the motion, and spoke at some length on the folly %*:. of purchasing high-priced private propcrties when so much Maori land was 1 ?■.': available. h- Sir. J. U. Murray thought if they waited until all the waste lands were occupied before they acquired and cut >= up large private estates they would wait s" a long time. TWre was another side to the question, and in some instances it ;.E- was good- to acquire private estates. ■ Mr. J. Burgees (Warea) claimed that ?! the theory was altogether wrong, and r .. the height of folly for the Govenimrat, while millions of acres were lying idle, v;: to borrow jnoney ;n London to purchase iv, private estates. This appeared to him ' to be very near insanity. ' Mr. J. R, Corrigan (ifawcra) thought the real issue was whether or not these ■v native lands they talked so much about * were suitable for close settlement. They did not want to stop the pnrcliase of - private estates, but they did want to * avoid political jobbery and the purchase of rotten estates. In the past, to a great evtent the Government had puru- : chased estates quite nusuited for ... settlement, and he did not defend this. It was this sort of thing which brought ;■ the purchase of private estates by the Government into disrepute. The chairman said he was satisfied v that a very large proportion of this .L seven million acres of Maori land in the ■ North Island was very suitable for closer settlement. Whilst the Government was expending large sums on the purchase of estates it was neglecting ;• to expend the money entrusted to it •' by the ratepayers in roading the back- , blocks and was leaving .people isolated in the -wilderness, while it purchased . land for other people near towns. ■Mr. Corrigan *aid lie desired to see y settlement pushed ahead in every j. reasonable way.

The motion was then carried. SYSTEM OF TAXATION

Mr. 1!. Lanibie moved —''That the pre- - se.it system of taxing farmers on the so-tolled unimproved value of their >:. holdings is unfair and out of proportion i to the way in which capital invested in < other industries is taxed; this Conference consl'dcre the present land tax should be abolished, and that farmers ~ should pay tax on, the annual value of

■ their land." In speaking to the motion . Mr. lambic said what he complained of , was the inequality of the pressure of , taxation on the farmer as compared with the individual whose capital aught be invested in some other business. He hoped the motion would pass, as they badly needed gome better svs- . tern.

'*■ In answer to Mr Oorrigan, who &econd- „ ,od the motion, Mr. lnjnbie said he ■ thought ,ifc would be fairer to calculate ~tho land tax on the annual value. If , they could get at the letting or leasing value it .would do away with a great •; many valuers, sThe motion was carried. «*.- Mr. T. E. Coleman (Ngairc) moved— That this Conference tenipflisitfiea/ly ? protests against the continued increase Wing jnade by the Government Valuatiosi Department on the unimproved wiue of the rural lands of the Domi-! ?^ on '.' Mr..Coleman gave instances of i t iniquity of the present system, and J ts uniajr pre&ure in many case.®. * , t The -chairman referred 'to the heap-■ing-up of unimproved values until taxaV Hon became confiscation of all imnrovt- \ meats. ® ur § ess mentioned one point which people were a.pt to overlook. 3t owas that when the early settler first «£took up land he mostly had to keep the K" i »

drill instead of the land .keeping hiui. A'as lie uot therefore entitled to some -easonable recompense V The unimpro?>d value of land was a luytb. After farther discussion the motion vae' carried. POLITICAL CANDIDATES. Mr. W. Rogers (Stratford) moved— That the Executive in future advise tranches privately of the persons they liiink the most, suitable to represent armers in i'arlianii'ut." In doiiig so he aid the reason his branch thought it idvisable to submit a remit on this question was that acting oni the advice of he Executive as requested, they had ocally caused dissatisfaction and lost neiirljership. The chairman took the opportuntiy of Xplaining that the Executive had subnitted a political platform to every eanlidate in Taranaki' irrespective of the larty the candidate was standing for, he idea being that the. Executive would lut forward or recommend the men aniweriag their questions most satisfaeorily, and adopted a system of judging >y the replied and. not by thiir knowedgu of the men. There was one instance in which he personally exceedingy regretted the result. The clashing lad come about by the wise, or unwise, ictiou of the Executive, who had treatid the question wholly on the system of answers to questions, and •not on the merits of the men. He therefore thought that the Stratford branch should not illow the matter to affect it, Mr. A. Voullaire (Riverlea) seconded the motion. Mr. R. McK. AloritioH said the Strat ford blanch was' not complaining, but merely desired to ensure that then should not be a repetition of what hac occurred. Mr. Murray said that they were on delicate ground, as the executive's hands were practically tied, the Union liavinjj decided to take no stand in party poli tics. Mr. Rogers withdrew his motion i". favor of the following amendment'"That branches decide for themselve: what candidate to support and sem their choice to tbe Executive, the Excel! tive to decide what candidate has a ma jority vote of the branches, and sent the result to the branches before polling day at least seven days." This wa; moved by Jlr. Doibson, seconded by Mr Davidson. The chairman said that it was onl> fair to ipoint out that this was thi course adopted thrse yearc ago when il was found that tile brandies were ver slow in sending in their recommends tioiis', and the Executive had verv littli time in which to act. A good deal of discussion followed Mr. Corrigan said they were opening u| a very wide question. They were al the time talking about being non-poli tical and beating about the bush at tin same time. The chairman said thev were non party. ,Mr. Corrigan thought they ought ti come out boldly and make the Farmers Union a political organisation. Mr. Lambie thought thev ought to nu the best men they could on the Execu tive and leave the matter to them with out tying their hands. Mr. R.McK. Morison expressed tin opinion that this was the best cours'e The amendment and motion were then put and lost, CONDOLEXCE. On the chairman's motion a vote o sympathy and condolence with Mr. E Dive ia his recent bereavement was pass ed, and the Conference adjourned foi luncheon. -VOXIOUS WEEDS. After the luncheon adjournment Mi Burgess moved: "That the Conferenc consider* it urgently necessary that th Noxious Weeds Act should h e ca rrii' out more effectively, as blackberries an. ragwort in particular are spreading a an alarming rate, and becoming a m?n ace to the prosperity of the district. The speaker referred to the increase o weeds, and suggested that the inspec tors should be empowered to put 01 more men to ensure the checking o this great evil. Mr. Rogers, while admitting tiie giea nuisance noxious weeds had been allow ed to become, queried whether the; could afford to employ an army of mei to assist the inspectors. Mr. Bridges said that so far as hi branch was concerned they were quit satisfied with the way in which tin inspectors were doing their duty .inif the motion meant more inspectors hi should be compelled to oppose it. Mr. R. McK. Morison emphasised tin necessity df pulling out the weeds wliei they were first seen, and not allowin; them to mature. 1 Mr. Burgess claimed that they di< not want more inspection, but that tin inspectors should be given greatei liberty to put on men to carry out wcei eradication at tic proper time. Mr. Corrigan said lie believed the in spectors already possessed lliis power. The motion was carried. OI'UXAKE RAILWAY.

Mr. H. Sutherland moved: "That the Government be urgently requested to construct the Opunako Railway." ile thought thai, considering the importance of the work, the I'nion should fall in with the local bodies interested and ur h 'e the matter on.

Mr. Corrigau seconded the motion, recommending 1 that all reference to route be omitted. Air. Lambie said he did not think anv other district in any part of the 'Dominion possessing such good land 11al been left without an outlet. There was no question but that the line would pay. The motion mis then put and carried. SECRECY OF THE BALLOT. Mr. J. T. Mofl'att (Awatuna) moved: "That it is desirable in the interest's of the ballot that the marking of voting papers by numbering or otherwise li • done away with so as to obtain an absolutely secret ballot." He did not think it necessary to add much, as the motion spoke for itself. Mr. Voullaire seconded, speaking in favor of the Xew .South Wales system. Further discussion followed, the chairman that under the present system in Xew Zealand there was absolutely no cheek on the returning officer and no secrecy of the ballot. It was finally decided that tiie. remit be amended by adding the words after "done away with," "that the Electors' Eight system in vogue in Xew South Wales be adopted."'—Carried. DEFENCE. Mr. C. K. Dobson nvaiinata) moved: ' That this Conference fully endorses tne action (If the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, in offering a Dreadnought to tile British Government, fur the reason that being prepared for war i- the best means t'i avert it." The chairman said that several memliesr had spoken to him and seemed to prefer that this matter should be witsdrawn. as it was one for I'arliament t» deal with. This action had been taken by the Premier and would have to lII' dealt with bv Parliament.

On being put to the Conference it was resolved to withdraw the remit. .Mr. Maxwell moved a remit from tie Executive as follows. "That Ibis Conference is in favor of compulsory ntili tary training." He 'heartily supported this motion, and thought that if people realised the difference between compulsory training and compulsory service there would lie move support. While

swell system as lie advocated would inori some sacrifice. it would nut make such a break in life l ns tin l military «icrvi<o 011 tlu« Continent. In tins country they could "never tliink of a .standing army. Volunteering in the Dominion—without saying a word agaiiwt tlie volunteers themselves- had proved an utter failure, ami apparently the only tiling left was compulsory iitflitary training. He did not hesitate to state ' that tliis would have a most excellent, effect, both moral and physical. on the young men of New Zealand. •Mr. Rogers, speaking as an old volunteer. heartily endorsed Mr. Mavwel!'* remarks. It was thoroughly •••.-•"n'ial that their young men should I ■ ' ">Aii I to shoot straight, and it would isring 1 their voim# men under a system of discipline and obedience. Mr, Blake thought the volunteers hid never received much encouragement from the Government. Such a system as proposed would set the country back many years. Mr. Foraytli agreed with the last speaker, and moved as an amendment that encouragement should be given to volunteering and rille clubs, as suggested'by Sir Joseph Ward.

.Mr. Davidson agreed with the lasl [ivaki'f. llr. Vuulltiire thought an important ioint was missed in the fuel that under , compulsory system in two or three cars they would have 200,000 efficient iien; with their volunteering they would lot have 00.000. llr. Cross said compulsory training rould certainly mean compulsory ser'iee, but after all they had to lemeniler that it would be a naval battle mid lot a land tight here. 'Mr. Murray, while not desiring to go o far as in tfermnny, thought it desirible that every man should be able to ilioulder a rifle ill defence of his home. The chairman said there was no question of the volunteer movement not tnswering if training were only commlsory; but they would not train, lie ilso thought that while the Government night possibly do a little more, the fault ay with the individual, and the whole weakness was in the want of compulsion. He spoke as one having volunteer experience, and knew that not only would iome men not train, but bv neglecting to do so they prevented others. Further, they had 110 big guns, anil, it mey had, these could only protect the ports and a land force would be required foi internal defence. Mr. Burgess strongly supported tlif motion. The system proposed wouli be helping themselves and helping the Kmpirc. If they shirked their duty 11 this they were shirking one of tlieii greatest duties, and were like a linn who had invested his all in a proper tj a-.id would not insure against loss bi lire. Messrs. M. Standish, Mofl'att, am Corrigan supported the motion. Mr. Morison thought compulsory train ing in their public schools would in sufficient. He did not think New Zen land could afford more at present. Mr. Forsyth said it surprised him I, hear almost every speaker who had beei a volunteer favor compulsory training Personally he thought school trnininj should be sufficient to begin with, a those boys would probably go on t< become members of rille dubs or volun teer corps. The amendment was then put and car Tied. DAIRY INSPECTION. Mr. Coleman moved: "That dair; herds be more frequently inspected b; qualified men." 111 doing so,, lie referre to the possibility of diseased cattle al fecting the milk supply at factories ■which trouble would be met to a cei taim extent by more frequent inspectioi: Mr. Corrigan thought settlers did 110 take advantage of the services of til men they had to the extent tliey nnghl The motion was carried. PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS. Mr. Lambie moved: "That the Cor ference approves of the resolution 0 the Employers' Federation on the que* tion of preference to unionists." Til resolution was one they snuiild certain!, support. He believed in freedom of con tract, and 110 one should have powc to prevent him from working for whou he liked, when he liked, and at wlia pay he liked, and deprecated prefercnc ito" unionists as an encroachment 0 freedom. He would like to see th Union take a firm stand against th compulsory preference to unionists. Mr. Murray thought trades union had done a lot of good in some direc tions, but compulsory preference t unionists was a point at which the should stop. The motion was carried. RAILWAYS. Mr. Burgess moved: ■' That the Confer ence protests against the present metli od of working the railways at a los> a-s it is ii great injustice to those dis tricts having to pay tuxes for that pur pose, but who are not in a position ti receive any benefit from the workinj of them." The chairman said if the Administra tion's scheme of reform were carriet out, by striking put unproductive fineand if it was a sincere one, the l'emi ivas hardly a fair one. They ought ti deal courteously with the (iovornmen whether they were for or against. Mr. liurgess. after consideration, al tercd his motion to read: "That tlii Conference approves of the principh of running the railways in the Dominioi so that they should pay expenses, in eluding interest on cost." MANURIAL KXPEUIMEXTS. Mr. Murray moved: "That the Con ference strongly urges all branches 11 the Tarauaki Province to carry out ex periments to find out tim best niannri or manures for top-dressing grass pas tures." Mr. Morison strongly favored expert mental tests of the nature indicated be ing undertaken. The chairman, while sympathising witli the idea, outlined some difficulties in the wav. The motion was carried. FARM SERVANTS AS MKMJiKtIS. Mr. Forsyth moved: "That farm servants lie admitted to the Union at halt the ordinary subscription," Mr. Corrigan seconded. On the chairman's suggestion the motion was amended as follows: "The Conference suggests that farm servants be admitted to the Union at half the ordinary subscription, and that the Executives should reduce their levies 011 farm servant members." —Carried. GENERAL,.

Mr. J-ambie moved: "That the ConIferencc still adheres to the optional system of land tenure."—This was seconded by the chairman and carried unanimously.

Mr. Voullairc moved: "That the Union take steps to prevent the sale of unsound bulls and cows for dairying purposes." 111 1 . Corrigan seconded, referring to ■what had been done at the Agricultural Conference, and the motion was carried. .Mr. Voullaire (llivcrlea) moved:

"The Conference urges the Education 'Department, to alter the syllabus to more practical subjects; history, grammar and political geography being shamefully neglected." Mr. Hurray seconded, and the motion was carried. Mr. Corrigan withdrew his remit to the effect that tile Union he constituted a political body. < ELECTION' OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected for lflOD-1(1; —President, -Mr. .r. \V. Jones: vice-president. Mi'. -I. Davidson; lion, treasurer, Mr. ,1. Thomson: lion, auditor. Jlr. A. Allbuseu; Executive. Messrs. F. ,r. Virgin, \V. ltogers, A. Althusen, .T. I>. Corrigan, T. A. Bridge, .1. Burgess, S. Forsyth. 11. I.ambie senr., .1. l\ Murray, | ,1. Stevenson. K. Maxwell. A. Voullaire; provincial secretary. Mr. .1. B. Sim.