FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1919, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. OPPOSED TO PRICE FIXING. By Telegraph.—Press Association. ' Wellington, Yesterday. At the Dominion Farmers' Conference to-day, a special committee appointed to eon»ider the new Board of Trade Bill reported that it was opposed to the principle of price fixing, but if legislation is necessary in connection with combines or to prevent profiteering it has made the following suggestions: (1) That two members of the Board of Trade he direct representatives of the primary industries, one to be nominated by the Farmers' Union and the other by the Sheep Owners' Federation and the A. and P. Association; (2) that the majority of the board be present at any inquiry, that no one other than a member of the hoard have power on the board, and that when an inquiry is to be held the same bo advertised setting forth the subject of the inquiry and inviting those interested to give evidence, that if any party interested feel a grievance at the prices of the Board of Trade such party shall hive the right to appeal to the Supreme Court. The conference adopted the report and ordered that copies be distributed to members of Parliament. A select committee of the Farmers' Conference recommended the conference to affirm that the cutting up of large estates by compulsory repurchase at fair values is in the best interests of the country; that farm schools under small boards of fanners be established in every farming district, young men to be engaged for two years at an adequate wage to be educated in farming, and, when thpy pass practical examinations, to be placed on the land; that such land be purchased and stocked by the State on the lines of soldiers' farms, payment being extended over a term of years; that suburban lands be cut up and roaded and houses built for workers to purchase on time payment; that the principle governing these proposals shall be freehold.

Mr. J. H. Joll, supporting the proposals, said they were told a big strike was inevitable, but it must be averted, even if they had to come down a peg. They must arrive at a better understanding. In the discussion stress .was laid on the necessity of giving farmers facilities to erect homes for employees. The conclusion of the debate was deferred. HOUSES FOR EMPLOYEES. Wellington, Last Night. The Farmers' Conference adopted a resolution of the committee on capital and labor, with the following addition: "That it should be impressed on the farming community that proper and convenient homes must be provided for employees. In order that this can be done power should be given to county councils to advance borrowed money for the building of these homes on farms for the use of . employees, Buch money to be secured by a special rate on the property concerned FARMERS AND LABOR, The following remit was adopted, the speakers on the question expressing the hope that it would clear the air between farmers and labor: That in view of the present position whereby middlemen are exploiting both producer and consumer, and the position is my seriously misunderstood, particularly by the working class consumer, a Literature Committee should be set up consisting of representatives of labor and the Farmers' Union to compile leaflets showing the conditions ol trade as shown by the cost of production and the prices received by producers, the cost of distribution, and the prices charged to consumers to be given the widest circulation; further, that each provincial conference arrange for a conference between Labor Unions and the Farmers' Unions. THE MAORIS AND THEIR LAND. Mr. D. Lysnar (Auckland) moved that the Government be urged to deal at once with all unoccupied Crown and Nativo lands, as they are a source of danger to the neighbouring occupiers by fostering various noxious> weeds and rabbits; (a) That the Natives bo encouraged to cultivate their remaining land by extending to them the advance of Joans under the Advances to Settlers Act on terms and conditions similar to the advances made to European settlers, and that the land held under Native freehold title be accepted as -sufficient security; (b) That practical farmers be appointed as instructors and paid by the State. They shall travel through the districts giving advice iu practical farming, and, when necessary, recommend advances and supervise expenditure. Mr. P. Keegan (Auckland) seconded the remit, and said if the Natives had a fair chance they would turn' out to be as good farmers as the Europeans. Mr. R. Dunn (Taranaki), supported the remit, and was granted permission to couple with it a resolution from his union: That the attention of the Government be drawn to the need of something being done to help and induce the Natives to farm and increase production on their land. Both remits were carried. NATIVE LAND LAWS. The Auckland union proposed that the Native land laws be consolidated, and so remodelled as to prevent the retardlog of production and sresav reading

and railing of the country, and for checking of purely speculative dealing ifll .■! Native lands. The remit further SUg* gested that where the Crown bat to ! '*j take and construct roada or construct i roads already proclaimed or referred i through lands which are blocking proper development of the country, such land* should be charged with their fair proportions of such work according to the benelit derived in the same manner a* i if such expenditure had been made by way of loan to the Native Land Board or local body, with provision for re* j! cowry of interest and sinking fund charges if need be, as in the case of local body rates or for the liquidation of 1 these charges if allowed to accrue with i compound interest thereon before an . alienation of such lands can be effected. The remit was adopted. Upon the motion of the Auckland ' union, the conference decided to urge the Government to acquire and open up Native land in tlio UreWera country at the earliest possible moment. On behalf of the Hawke's Bay Union, Mr. J. H. Jull moved that the time haa' arrived when the Native lands served by roada or railways held by Native! ibolild pay the same taxes as land held by, * Europeans. The remit was carried. OTHER REMITS. The following remits were also Ctt-i ried; That the conference ia opposed to nil fixing of prices, but where pric&s of raw materials arc fixed the prices of articles manufactured therefrom should also be iked. • j That full information of wool sales on the English market shall be published monthly by the High Commissioner fot New Zealand. That the Government be urged to in* dude in the repatriation scheme thj amount of consideration due by the State to men who had spent only one or two months in camp and were then die* charged for pre-war disability after they had sacrificed or sold their business or farm to go into camp. That this union strongly protest! against the practice of the Pnblid Trust Office in imposing a penalty of three months' interest irrespective of aoji notice given on all sums repaid on loan prior to its maturity, and that the Gov* ernment be requested to at once do away with this exaction as being extortionate. That the attention of the Minister for Finance be called to present unsatisfactory matters in connection with the State and private money lending institutions. That where security is good, the State should provide money at reasonable rates for farmer's needs, and should re* store the table system of mortgage, and provide in every mortgage a covenant for the payment of sums before due date, without forfeiture of interest. That the Government be urged t^> ; vote large sums of money to the Ad«" varices to Settlers Department, go thai all farmers may have facilities to bring their holdings to the highest degree of efficiency, and thus increase production! That this conference most emphatically protests against the Government's continued interference with priceß, either directly 01 indirectly, now that hoai tilities have ceased. That the Dominion Conference expresi its disapprobation of the system of If* suing loans free of income-tax, as the inevitable result of such system will be to throw the main burden of the coming heavy war taxation oa the farmers. That a committee be set up to draw up questions it would recommend the ' provincial executives to put to ul candidates for election as Members of Pflj* liament with a view to safeguarding the interests of the producing community ,and in the Ibest interests' of the Dominion, it to be understood that any executive may add or omit any question it may desire.