FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8451, 31 May 1907, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

By Telegraph—Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH,' May 30. The annual conference of representaives of the North Canterbury brancite of the Farmers' Union was opafifed' to-day. The President, Mr D. Jones, addressed the delegates. Reviewing the work of the Union for tbe past year he adversely criticised the Land Bill. Referring to the taunt that had been levelled against the ■ Farmers' Union that it waa interfering in politics, he said in some respects it was impossible not to do so, but the .Union had striven to av6id party politics. The Union would liave opposed the Land Bill whether introduced by the Government or by the Opposition* He advocated cooperation amongst farmers in respect to the sale of wool following on the lines that had proved so successful in 'the butter industry. Mr D. Jones was unanimously reelected President. Mr M. f. Ryan was elected Vice-President, and Mr Wilfred Hall Treasurer. Mr G. W. Leadley moved —"That this conference of farmers representing all parts of North Canterbury desire to place on record their emphatic protest that in the interests of the jjjjf colony no legislation relating to the mr disposal of the unsold Crown Lands will be satisfactory unless it clearly provides for the option of securing the freehold in all cases where the land is held under close settlement conditions, and all farmers are arged to do their utmost to secure the legalising of this principle." After a lengthy discussion the motion was carried.