FARMERS’ UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 July 1921, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. * By Telecraph.—Press Association. Wellington, July 27. A committee set up by the Dominion conference of the Farmers’ Union to-day nroposed the following remit: That the '•onference respect fully suggests: (1) That the present position of the native land Jaws is unsatisfactory, both in the interests of the natives and of the Dominion; (2) that ll e natives should now be granted as far as possible the same rights and privileges to deal with fljeir land as Europeans; (3) that ail native lands should be ' subject to the same land-tax and county ? rating as European land, provided they have reasonably good road access; (4) I that the natives bo granted the same facilil ties under all loan Acts as Europeans, so . that they may be able to develop and I road their lands; (5) that if, alter the are granted the privilege of Euro- | peans, they fail to bring their land into useful occupation, tin Governmenf should take power to ac.- i -e :be same under the .Land for Settlement Act. Clause 2 was objected to and finally defeated, and the remit referred back to the committee. POLITICAL PARTY OPPOSED. FINANCIAL MATTERS. Wellington, Last Night. The Farmers’ Union conference passed a motion disapproving uf the formation of a farmers’ political party at present. The bank rate was the subject of discussion, a Southland motion impressing 1 the Government with the urgent necessity of taking steps to prevent a further rise jeing defeated. It was pointed out that if the rate of interest was made lower money would leave the country am! would be reinvested elsewhere. A motion was passed urging Government assistance to small farmers and soldier settlers in the present fiqhncial stringency. The conference resolved to adhere to the principle that taxation through the Custom*: should be for the purpose of raising revenue, and not for protective purposes. It was also resolved that the conference is opposed to a State bank, but is of opinion that some form of co-operative agricultural banking suitable to New Zealand conditio; s should be instituted speedily, i