FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 64, 2 August 1912, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

RAILWAY MATTERS,

By Telegraph—Press Association,

Wellington, Yesterday. The Farmers' Union passed a resolution that the Dominion Executive be asked carefully to watch any movement in the direction of obtaining an increase of the protective duties and to protest against any such increase by interested parties. After a long discussion on railway freight it was resolved that the attention of the Ministers of Customs and Railways be directed to the heavy imposition on fanners, caused by the extra railage charged on Australian hardwoods, and that the matter be given consideration with a view to its removal. It was resolved that steps should be taken to end the preferential freights on railways, and that all protection should be through the Customs, if protection was necessary. The conference also resolved to protest against the continued shortage of rolling stock and covers, especially the latter, as large quantities of grain had to be sent away this year uncovered, and that the attention of the Minister of Railways be drawn to the inconvenience and loss being sustained by grain growers in consequence.

Wellington, Last Night. The following resolutions were also carried: That at all flag stations where there is a tablet porter a receipt be igiven and taken for all goods received an'd j delivered, and that the railway be responsible for such goods; that this conference recognises the necessity for compulsory military training, and suggests that the training of young men employed in agricultural, pastoral and dairying pursuits should be so arranged as to reduce the serious inconvenience and expense to employers and employees by their frequent attendance required at j parades, and suggests that the annual period of continuous training in camp during the slack season be increased, whilst parades during the remainder of the year be reduced correspondingly; that service on a training ship be substituted for imprisonment under the compulsory clauses of the Act, conscientious 'objectors to be given the alternative of service under civil control; that the union support the territorial system, as in its opinion the best way to secure peace is to be prepared to defend the Empire: that the Government be asked to give its support to the Sedgwick immigration scheme, and also to institute" a vigorous policy of assisted immigration for agricultural and domestic labor, as the shortage of this class of labor is seriously handicapping the progress of the Dominion; that this conference expresses its desire to bring the Farmers' Union into closer touch with the labor limions of the Dominion, .with the object of bringing about a better understanding between various sections of the community by the interchange of .views on, and mutual consideration of each section, believing that in this way the cause of much of the unrest prevailing in the community may be removed. Mr. A. H. Cockayne, Government biologist, addressed the conference in regard to a remit for the advocacy of a Pure Seeds Bill. He dealt with the effects of noxious weeds and the eradication of weed seed from that of good grasses. It was decided that the conference advocate and support a Pure Seeds Bill. It was resolved that as the Stallion Bill agreed to by both the provincial and Dominion conferences, and also by the A. & P. Societies' Conference, and which was strongly supported by the Veterinary Department, has not yet been brought before Parliament, the conferences expresses its intense disappointment that a matter of so great importance 8b the country should have been absolutely neglected by the Government through two sessions of Parliament. Mr. Iteakes,.Government Veterinarian, said that no stallion should travel unless licensed, and should not be licensed unless free from hereditary unsoundness. The Ecv. D. C. Bates, Government Meteorologist, addressed the conference in regard to weather forecasts, and the conference expressed its appreciation of the increase made in the numbers of stations to which forecasts are supplied, and congratulated the Government Meteorologist on his work.