FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 237, 25 February 1913, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

TAHAXAKI PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE.

The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Executive of the Xew'Zealand Fanners' L'nion was held at llawera on Thursday, when there were present: —Messrs A. Hunter. F, .Maxwell. S. Forsyth. R. Lamhie. A. K. Washer, E. Marfell and J. Swindlehurst. In the, absence of the president, the vice-president (Mr Hunter) occiipii-d tiie chair. The Dominion Executive wrote stating that, as soon as the flovernincnt had decided to bring out regular supplies of labor llie board would take steps to get definite applications from farmers. In reply lo the Executive's letter, the Inspector of Noxious Weeds stated that he \va~ now bn>y inspecting the various district:-, within his area, and most of the settlers, both in town and country, bad been served with notices, and Court proceedings would be taken in bad cases where notice had not been complied with. It was resolved to bold the annual pro\ineial conference at Eltham on Thursday. May 15, and that branches be advised to send their remits in time for the Executive's meeting on April 17. Owing to his leaving on a. trip Home, Mr. J. Thomson forwarded his resignation of the oflicer of trea- -''er.—Accepted with regret. Mr. Thin r was elected in h\> stead.

Tlir Minister for Custor'.. wrote, in ri'ph to the Executive's lei' ". tliat it was not tin' intention of the ' •••rnmont to impose an export duty <•■- hide:;. Mr. Mux well brought up ' ••■ question of the valuation system. '<'•■ said fhey had hoped for considerable : nrovements in the amending Act. lnri ho did not think they bad pot any spec' ■! benefits.

Mr. Lambie pointed out that, there was provision in the amending Act for special to,in aieas.

Mr. 'Maxwell the T'nion bad be?'i lighting the system of valuation for v'ears. It was a matter that vitally affected lessees of native lands. The Union should formulaic some definite proposals to be forwarded to the Government. Til the present system there was no provision for allowing for works that had vanished, but which had improved the land.

Mr. Lambie did not believe in the present svstem. lie had given up all hope of improving it. He had hoped thiil. with a change of Government there would have been a change in the system. Referring to the West Coast Settlement be thought some scheme should be evolved wherebv the tenants could acquire the freehold of their lands.

Mr. Hunter thought that was the solution of the question. Mr. Lambie thought it was possible to have a plan propounded and carried out that would give justice to the Maoris

and to the lessees. He was satisfied that if the lands fell back to the Maoris it would he a bad thine; for the country, for the lands and for the Maoris. Mr. Forsyth said that farmers sho-.ihl have the land so that it, could be used profitably. "Where Maoris had land thnt bail been individualised thev were doing well.

next meeting that a committee be set up to consider the quest ion of drafting proposals that would <ri\ t> eil'eet to the: wishes of the Union.