FARMERS’ PROBLEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1922, Page 5

FARMERS’ PROBLEMS.

THE AUCKLAND CONFERENCE. PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS. REMITS ON VARIOUS TOPICS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The Farmers’ Union provincial conference opened to-day. The president (Mr. Duxfield) reviewed the primary industries and the activities of the union regarding the Country Party movement. In only two electorates had candidates yet been selected —Mr. A. A. Pvoss (Thames) and Mr. F. Coldicutt (Ohinenjuri). Mr. W. Polson (Dominion president), in his address, reviewed matters affecting farmers. Referring to preference for unionists, he said the farmers were out to see it wiped off the Statute Book, and were going to see that Parliament*faced the question this session. Preference, which was more responsible for the high cost of living than any free trade or anything else, must be abolished if the country was to go ahead. The following remits were adopted:— That for the purpose of getting more equitable valuations for rural lands and improvements, the whole Dominion should be revalued at regular periods, the new valuations, to be given effect to simultaneously; that the Government be approached with a view to obtaining a remission of income-tax on money lent on mortgage by large companies; that the anomaly in the land and income tax whereby a farmer is not allowed to set off his losses from one part of his living against profits from some other investment, be removed; that the Government be urged to withdraw the amusement tax on agricultural show members’ subscriptions: that every endeavor be made to have the tariff protecting New Zealand-made goods restricted; that the Government, be urged to let public works, including railways, by contract; that the Government be requested to immediately establish an agricultural training college at Ruakura; that the Government be urged to make book-keeping a compulsory subject in the fifth and sixth standards. The conference adopted a remit that the railways be removed from political control, and the construction and control of lines placed under a board of experts. The mover (Mr. Ross) suggested the board should consist of two railway experts appointed by the Government, and three business men appointed by local bodies. The board should hold office indefinitely, the tenure to be terminable only by resolution of both Houses of Parliament. A number of speakers criticised the suggestions, but the majority agreed that the present system of administration was wasteful and inefficient.