FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1918, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

EURTHEK RESOLUTIONS. By Association'. Wellington, AJagS* The Banners* Union Conference passed a resolution: That in ■view of the shortage of coal, and also in view of the large demand for fertiliser purposes, the Government be asked to pass a comprehensive Act so that the work of Tutraessing the water power of the Dominion may be proceeded with as a whole onin detail.

It was also resolved: That the (Conference desires to impress on the Government the urgent necesity of appointing two qualified farmers to act in conjunction with the Commissioner or members of the Land Board in the selecting and improving of -land for settlement within their own faming district; that the union is strongly of opinion that the Minister of Lands should amend the Land Act to enable local bodies to receive half the royalty on timbers in all cases where the value of the timber has been added to the value of land; that the union considers it only fair and just when lands are disposed of either for cash or otherwise, that the usual accrued thirds should be, allotted to the local road board county council.

THE WOOL QUESTION. EUETBER REStoUTIONiS. Wellington, August 1.. The wool commandeer was again be* fore the Banners' Union conference sc-i day, when the Hons. D. H. Guthrie audi W. D. S. Mac Donald attended. The latter said the full details oi the wool eoßi tract were not yet available, and ho suggested thait criticism be deferred till then. |

Mr. Lysnar said that under the, present system of wool selling New Zealand was losing about seven millions.

Mr. Mac Donald: Absolutely wrong. Mr- E. Maxwell said that, after Jwdng heard the Ministers, he proposed to move in offoot that the conference is satisfied with the Government's action and efforts; to make the test possible arrangement regarding the purchase of wool and othef products by the Imperial Government, The conference declined'ito take ithe"nw> tlon. ' ' '

The conference passed a resolution that the Farmers' Union awures the iPre« mier that the producers will support Übi Government in carrying into effect any measures which the Government deem necessary in rendering additional rein* forcemeats to help the Empire at tbia critioal hour. It was also lesolivwd that any man refusing to carry out his mfli-< tary duties be disfranchised for at least seven years.

The following remits were That tftie Land and Income Tax Aot be amended in the direction of allowing farmers to charge against their income the sums for labor done upon the farms by the wife or children, and that previous losses should be deducted from the inooine. That, in view of the shortage! of coal, and also in view of the large demand for nitrogen for fertiliser purposes, the Government be urged to pass a comprehensive Act so that the work of harnessing the water power of the Dominion may be proceeded with as a whole, or in detail. That the time fcaa arrived when, in ,fhe interest of She Dpminion, agricultural co-operative bankri should be established in the Dominion. That the Government be asked to extend the Mortgage Extension Aot for five years after the war, or for, such qtfher time as may be considered esper dient. That, whereas large ftumbere ol reservists are not obtaining exemption' whose in the country is essential to the public interest, we suggest that provision should bo made whereby every ease should be investigated by the local committee of advice of the disitriet in which the reservist resides, such committee to report to the advisory committee, stating whether, in their opinion, the reservist could serve his, country better by remalhring or by ibeing sent to ramp. '

A resolution was carried protesting against the issue of War Loan scrip free of income tax.

It was resolved to urge the Government to push forward: afforestation, vita a view to supplying the Dominlaifs needs, on land unsuitable for ottier purposes, and to control the white psne forests with a view to protecting the butter and cheese industries. '

The conference expressed sympathy with the efforts of the Educational In* stitute to effect improvements hj» th«j educational system.