FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 103, 28 May 1909, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

I uiscfssiox of poutics. IBy Telegraph.—Press Association Aiickhuul. Thursday. Tile. Farmers' ( 'niuu C'oiiti-u'r.c,, o, 24 votes tu 7, resolved to instruct tli'e delegate t 0 th,. Dominion eonferenee to urge the striking- out of rule 1(1. wliien permits the discussion of polities Inn juoliiliits tiie discussion of purely nartisan nuestious. It was eoiilended thill farmers in discussing political matters should be on all equality with other unions. Die delegate was further instructed to urge united action against the system under which local bodies depend oil the Government lor grants for important public works.

LAXD VALUATION'. THE CURSE OF BOOMING. _ Auckland, Last Xight. During the course of his presidential address this morning at the Farmers Lnion conference, Mr. Allen Bell said that one very important work that had been continued by the executive durin" the past year had heen the agitation for a reform in the present system of assessing land values. He regretted to have to report that tile latest returns show that the valuations made by tile Government of rural lands were sti-.l i being rushed up at an alarming rate, the present financial stringency and the accompanying probable decrease in land values was totally disregarded and the abnormal booming of the past few years went merrily on. The annual increase in the-unimproved value now reached the large amount of over 12 millions sterling per year on the unimproved value. Tins enormous increase was made to the detriment of the farmer, and to the benefit of the land-boomer and speculator. He was convinced that the verv worst thing that could happen to tlieiii as a farming community was this unwarranted inflation of la'nd values. "In my official capacity," ho continued "1 have conducted the agitation n"ainst'the present system. As a result"of meetings held a large number of objections have lieeu lodged and n solicitor employed to light the cases at the assessnient court; and I feel certain that if we stand solid, and are prepared to nght to a finish, we can in the near future bring about this much-iieeded reform. It is a significant fact tiiat si:ice the agitation started the valuer has again visited the objectors and, in some eases, I believe, cut down his former valuation by 50 per cent. In my last forecast I sounded a note of warning against the creation of high land values! I would again do so, for, although the suggestion may at the time he unpopular with a large number of. farmers, the day will assuredly come when the hona-fide farmer will curse those who assisted in their creation, not only to the detriment of himself.'but to every section of the community."

NORTH CANTERBURY CONFERENCE

SOME PERTINENT OBSERVATIONS.

Cliristclmrch, Last Night. annual provincial conference of the North Canterbury district of the Zealand l'nrinor.-,' Uuioii opened to* day. D. .Jones, president of the executive, presided.

llic president, in moving the adoption of the annual report, and baiauee-sneet, said that during the past year the work of the union had been progressing satisfactorily, and there had been aa increase ill membership. There had been a record harvest in Canterbury, indeed, almost throughout New Zealand, and it was satisfactory to know that thev had been able to gather it. Under 0 1<1*conditions probably a larger area would have been sown, if there had not existed uncertainty on this point regarding the farm laborers' dispute. He expressed the opinion that farmers and a majority of the workers recognised the wisdom of the Court's decision. (Applause.) Though they had hau a plentiful year it had not, in a majority of instance*, been a financially successful one for "the farmers. 'iiic wheat-grower was undoubtedly this year in an exceptionally good position; but when they Considered the state of the oats and meat markets they recognised tlmv the men on the lighter class of soil had not had a good year. The meat market had Oct.. ..i a stagnant condition for some time, and export trade in lamb was being threatened by the Argentine. Regarding the Argentine competition in the lamb trade, he said that the increased export from Argentine seemed to indicate that New Zealand farmers would have to oc satisfied to accept lower prices in face of keener competition. The New Zealand fanner would have to look' more to tile quality of his lamb than he has done in the past. (Hear, hear.) me drafting of lambs sent to puolic salevards wis not satisfactory, and they we're sending away too many second-class lambs. After reference to the necessity of dealing with turnip blight in order that the carrying capacity of lighter lands should not be decreased, -Mr. Jones referred to financial matters, and said that the men wiio had had to renew their engagements had been unable to do so with tile same ease or on the same easy terms as in previous years. Public and private expenditure had been in the past on altogether too large a scale. The way in which the monetary stringency might, bring good was in the direction of .steadying values. The profits made out of lan.l speculation had given t'ne public an idea tlmt immense profits were being made out of fanning, but he was satisfied that the money made out of hovia-fide farming had not been excessive. In Canterbury speculation in land had forced values up too high in most instances. The i|iiestion of Dominion defence was considered, and the following motion was carried: "That members of this conference recommend the (luvernmeut to take all necessary steps In improve the system of internal defence of tiie Dominion by means of some scheme of universal military training up to 21." Regarding charitable aid relief, it was decided that each district should maintain its own poor, SERVICES RECOGNISED.

Chrivtehurch, La ß t Night. At a complimentary baiujuet to-night, attended by close on 80ft farmers, Messrs David Jones a»nd .Richard Evans were •presented wi'th a national testimonial rn recognition of their services to the farmers of New Zealand on tlheir conducting the Canterbury farmers' cas-e. in the Tarm laborer^ 1 dispute. Mr. (i. \Y. Lesley presided, and lie and other speakers warmly eulogized the service* done by Jones and' Eva.ns, who were presented wi'th illuminated addresses and purse? -of sttveratgns. The proceeding? were most enthusiastic.