FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 38, 25 May 1910, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE, PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Marton, Last Night. The conference of the Farmers' Union branches in the Wellington province was opened at Marton to-day, about 50 delegates attending. A motion expressing its great sorrow and deep sense of national loss in the death of King Edward was carried in silence. The president (Mr. J. G. Wilson) pointed out that while farmers were more successful in farm and grass country, the dairy districts did not give support so much as might be expected. Dairy farmers were much behind the age. By joining and working together, they could largely increase their profits. He blamed the system of milking on shares for the want of progress. The output per cow should be raised at least to 2501b5. Skim-mitk should be pasteurised to kill tuberculous germs. He spoke of the successful season with farmers in the Wellington province. Prices for wool had- recovered but prxic-s were disappointing for frozen meat, except beef, for which there was a good prospect. Speaking of the shearers' award, he said the agitators' idea was to take farmers in detail, and it was a misnomer to call it an Arbitration Act. It should be named an "Act to create strife," and .to interfere with industry. He showed that the Mutual Insurance I Co. had had a good year, although they had lowered their rates. As soon as a sufficient reserve fund had been created they would again be lowered. Speaking of the Land Bill, he said the Prime Minister had tried to please everybody ana had ended by pleasing none. They would all look forward with much curiosity to the Bill promised this session. The Union wanted to see workers in towns and farmers in the country given a right to get the freehold. Some more energy was needed in settlement of native lands. He expressed regret at seeing such a large area of good native land lying idle. A vigorous policy of settling these lands would be of great importance to the country. He hoped the Native Minister would display more activity than in the past. He denounced the unfair treatment of the St'te coal mine, because its coal paid no royalty to the Government or harbor boards and was sent to depots which paid no rates. Among the remits adopted was one dealing with the system of land valuations. The question caused considerable discussion and a motion was carried favoring taxation being raised on the unimproved value rather than on the capital value, and that valuations be made periodically at not less than four-year intervals, and that a fair and reasonable valuation on improvements be allowed bv valuers. The conference adopted a motion urging on the Department the necessity of putting into active operation a clause : n the Noxious Weeds Act prohibiting the sale of chaff, oats and all kinds of farm seeds containing noxious weed seeds. The delegate* were banqnetted tonight, the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister of Agriculture, being present.