POLITICAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 105, 24 October 1911, Page 7

POLITICAL.

ps-r ♦ FARMERS' UXIOX EXECUTIVE AXD CANDIDATES. The Taranaki executive of the Farmers' Union has invited candidates for Parliament to give their opinion on the following questions: Are you in favor — (1) that Crown tenants have the option of purchasing the freehold of their lease at the original value, provided that in the ease of the L.I.P. tenants the addition of one per eent. capitalised, if he has paid only 4 per eent. rent, and in the case of the renewable leases at the capital value at the time of the purchase, less the lessee's interest in the lease to be decided by arbitration; the optional tenure, in the disposal of Crown lands to be continued. (2) That only ratepayers lie empowered to vote on local government matters in counties, road boards and rural districts. (3) That no increase of taxation by way of land tax or protective duties be imposed. (4) That the construction of j)ublic works should be by contract, to be let by tender. (5) That legislation of a penal or Socialistic character, tending to monopolise to the State the means «f production, distribution and exchange shall be strenuously resisted. The answers so far received arc as follows: Mr. Dive. —Yes to all. Mr. Pcarcc—Yes to 2, 3. 5. (1) I am in favor of, but think it would be better if the Union adopted the present vain.- less the leasees' interest and goodwill for all leases, as the result would be much the same as your X'o. 1 question. Xo. 4: Am in favor of small con- ; tract system. Mr. O'Dea. — I shall answer the questions from the public platform unless you (particularly want my answer in writing. J Mr. Mackenzie replied: Whilst it would give me the greatest pleasure to reply, to each question in its order, you will, 1 think, recognise that it is hardly possible for one who is a member of the Cabinet to do this, as, in the framing of measures Ministers of necessity have to make mutual concessions in details of Bills, conceding a point here and there, in order to obtain greater benefit in return. Were I, therefore, to give hard and fast replies to all questions. I might , not be able afterwards to give effect to them i» the exact terms of my replies, and might, in consequence, be open to censure, although in the total I might do more for the industry than attempting the carrying out of my bare promises I would secure. The position of a private member is different. I would re- I spcctfully submit that what you require 1 to be satisfied with in a candidate is I that he is in sincere sympathy with, and qualified to carry out. measures for the benefit of the farming industry, and the ' fact "that T occupy at the present time the portfolio the especial care of which ] is agriculture, together with its handmaiden commerce, enables me primarily to do the utmost possible to make the I man on the land successful by promoting ] in every way all that helps to attain that end. both in cnnr.«"llon with the , production and distribution of the pro- j duets of the soil.