THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1912. THE FARMERS' PARLIAMENT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10681, 30 July 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, JULY 30, 1912. THE FARMERS' PARLIAMENT

The eleventh annual conference in connect ion: with the X.Z. Farmers' Union 'opens in Wellington to-day, under the Presidency of Mr J". G. Wilson, a gentleman whose enthusiasm 'wr the cause'of agriculture knows mo limit.- It affords us a good deal of .Kiitcafaetion to be able to congratulate the Union this year upon the '.''en {nk're-st wfoicli is being malVifc-sl-etl in its affairs, and upon, the brighter outlook for tlie future. The Fanners' Union has been meeting in Conference for a number of years past, and it has made many recommendations 1 which, if adopted, would have agisted materially in developing the internal resources of the country. Unhappily, however, it lias had to approach with its -resolutions, successive Governments which have not been in sympithy with the rural poulation. The result lias been that the resolutions passed from time to time have either been coolly ignored or promised consideration at a future date. In striking contrast co tiro treatment accorded the Farmers' Union has been rhc tendency on the part of the Ministers of the day to pander to the Labour Unions of the cities. There is reason to hope that a miore equitable state of things will exist under the now Government. If Mr Massey does not give the farmers all {hey ask for —and they have the peculiarity of Oliver Twist in the matter of-asking—-they may at least rest assured that their legitimate requests will receive fair treatment at the hands of those who control the reins of power for the time being. The Farmers' Union has a more important mission to perform to-day than it ever had before. If its representations are to influence- the legislation of the country, they must be carefully and deliberately discussed, ,and not passed on as a matter of form. It is :i-i<mib>->n*. that, in the

address he has prepaned for the opening of the Coii%eu.co to-day, the Pre-, sklent dwells «?►*« comparatively few political! .subjects. Those ho does touch upon, however, are of the first magnitude. Ma: Wilson emphasises the necessity for improved facilities for imparting lagiricultural education, and in this he wi'lE doubtless appeal to the sympathies of the Government, which must realise that if New Zealand is to occupy the place designed for tit in the exporting countries of the world, it must brag science to operate in the development of its agricultural and pastoral resources. M,r Wilson dew's at sdiho length with the question of land valines, and urges that values should not be based upon the capitalization of our utmost income, but that a substantial margin should be left in caso iof a .set-back. Tin's is a point which should be im-p-c«.xl .upon land valuers, as well as those in pursuit of land. The President of the Union urges the neeemity for tho 'importation of farm labourers ; ibut on this point he will not ■have the united ..support of his own. Conference, as many of the delegates; wilil recognise that it as better to create our own farmers than to import them. Mir Wilson asks, "Is it not fair to assume that our freehold campaign has been successful?" The ' answer must undoubtedly be given in the affirmative. The Union has fought with vigour for the granting of the freehold option ; it may fairly claim to be responsible m a very considerable measure for the preponderance of pledged freeholders at present in the House. Tho deliberations cf the Conference which opens to-day wiffi be watched with more than usual interest, for the reason that they will, of necessity, have a greater influence than before upon tho practical' legislation of the country.