FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 40, 27 May 1910, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

'AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE. A FARMEIIS' PARTY. By Telegraph—Press Association. j Auckland, May 2<i. | At to-dav's Auckland Provincial Conference of the New Zealand Farmers'' Union, Captain Colbeck, representing the Clevedon branch, moved "That a farmers' party lie formed." They were' told, lie said, that they had represetita-! tion in Parliament, it was true that 1 twenty-four farmers were members of the House of Representatives, but un-| fortunately twelve were on the Government side and twelve oil the Opposition side. "It seems to me," said Captain Colbeck, '"that the farijjers in the House are not worth a rap to us. They are tied by party, and you have only to look at the legislation of the last live years to know it. The Sale and Importa-| tion of Machinery Act is one of the. most, extraordinary measures ever put: through the House. We want to run | our own candidates. A man is politically what he is horn. Liberals are Liberals from birth. Tile only way to get the farmers to vote solidly is to bring forward candidates who are neither Government nor Opposition." What we want is a Farmers' Party.-' | Mr. J. S. Montgomeria (Mangere) j said lie was convinced that a farmers') party was an actual necessity. Mr. J. S. Wilson (Auckland) said he was satisfied that the farmers' interests' were keenlv watched in Parliament by the Opposition. , i Mr. Ross said the farmers were well represented, but the trouble was* that the farmers never knew what they wanted. i

Captain Colbeck. in the course of his reply, said the discussion had been a saddening one. He took it that they had no politics and no sens'e. It was a farce to say that the farmers were well represented. He wanted to see the Union fighting for its own principles I The motion was carried. | RINGS AT STOCK SALES.

It was agreed that the Union strongly support the auctioneers in their endeavor to prevent the cutting up of purchases of fat sheep and lambs' for freezing purposes, it being inimical to the interests of coninetition. Tn the course of discussion it was explained that it was customary for Olivers attending sheep sales to form rings, one belonging to a ring to do the (lidding for a line, and after , the sale the. successful bidder to cut up the lpt among the ring. The speakers contended this nullified the intention of competition, and fanners were deprived of getting their best prices for their stock. Three weeks ago. it was stated, all the auctioneers refii.-od to recognise anyone but the successful bidder in making up their account sales, and in settling, and 'further decided not to do anything that. Mould facilitate tluv cutting up of pur-l chases.