New Zealand Farmers’ Union.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3750, 6 April 1908, Page 2

New Zealand Farmers’ Union.

HAMILTON BRANCH. The annual meeting of the above branch was held in the secretary’s office on Saturday evening last. There was a fair attendance of members, the chair being occupied by the president, Mr Allen Bell.

The annual report was read as follows; The year just ended has been the most eventful in the history of the Union, not only in Waikato, but throughout the Dominion, principally on account of the land legislation brought forward by the present Ministry. It was the unanimous opinion of the Union that this legislation was detrimental to the rural interests and the people of the Dominion generally. The Union strongly opposed this legislation, sending lecturers to all parts of New Zealand; your President acting in this capacity in the Waikato, Thames Valley, and King Country districts. The agitation resulted in the original Bill being dropped, and a new one . substituted, which eventually passed through both Houses in a considerably modified form. The Bill as at present on the Statute Book is still a most iniquitous measure, and it will be the duty of our Union to fight until it was wiped out of existence. Another most important subject that was taken up by the Union was the burning question of land valuations. The unimproved value of the lands of the colony are being rushed-up at the rate of ten million pounds per year, whilst the amount allowed for the settlers improvements was wretchedly low. As the result of a meeting organised by this branch a large number of objectors appeared before the Assessment Court, when a very large proportion were successful in obtaining large reductions in the unimproved value and proportionate increases in the value of improvements. It is a notorious fact that the action ot the Valuation Department in rushing up the unimproved value in assessing the creation of boom values, and enabling the land boomer and the speculator, to reap large profits at the expense of the bona fide farmer, which is bound to spell disaster in the long run. This creation of abnormal land values should be strongly discountenanced by our Union. Your branch ' during the year has also interested 1 itself in the question of taxation. Whilst recognising that taxation is necessary for the purpose of efficiently carrying on the Government of the Dominion, we object to the altogether unnecessary increase on the ' burdens already placed on the land, 1 which already amounted to over two millions per annum. This branch also strongly protested against the new tariff as applied to agricultural implements, and appliances in connection with the dairy industry with some measure of success, but the Tariff as it at present stands is still unsatisfactory, inasmuch that appliances that can be used for a dual purpose arc subjected to the increased duty. In conjunction with Mr Joseph Barugh, chairman of directors of the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company, this branch has on several occasions during the year advocated the completion of the Gisborne stock track, and recently had a most satisfactory interview with the Hon. R. McNab on the subject. I have every hope of seeing the track an accomplished fact in the near future. The year just closed has also seen the completion of the first year’s operations of the Farmers’ Co-operative Auctioneering Company, the formation of which was the result of the efforts of this branch of the Union. The splendid results achieved by the Farmers’ Auctioneering Company and the Farmers’ Freezing Company must be a source of gratification to the farming community, as well as a monument to the utility of the Fanners’ Union in the Waikato. Probably one of the most important schemes put forward by this branch during the year under review was the formation of the Waikato and Thames Valley Reclamation Association, formed for the purpose of agitating for this work to be put in hand. A most in- | fluential committee was formed, con- ! sisting of members of this branch of the Union, the Chamber of Commerce and representatives from the various local bodies interested. It must be gratifying to the promoters to sec that this work has been taken in hand by tiie Government, and that in a few years we may hope to see some of the richest land in the Dominion brought to a producing state. The thanks of the Union, and the people of the Auckland Province are due to Mr W. A. Graham, who for years has advoetaed the reclamation of this valuable area. Apart from the Land Bill, the most important question j taken in hand by our branch was unj doubtedly that of the development of ! electrical power. A short time ago, on the invitation of His Worship the Mayor of Hamilton, Mr J. S. Bond, a representative deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, Farmers’ Union, Borough Council, and other public bodies in Waikato and Thames ! Valley, waited on the Prime Minisj ter, and urged that the Government j take in band the supplying of electri- | cal power for the Dominion from its 1 numerous fine waterways, and it is a ; matter for regret that Sir Joseph j Ward could not see his way clear to j take up the scheme in its entirity. He however, stated his intention of bringing an order in council to allow of the scheme being taken up by private enterprise. This, although not meeting with the approval of a number of the deputation, —who were of opinion that a project which would revolutionize the agricultural and industrial life of the Dominion should remain in the hands of the State — must be considered a great improvement on the conditions formerly ob- j taining. As your representative orr the Provincial and Colonial Conference of our Union, I moved the remit ! entrusted to me with regard to the abolition of Rule 14, which prevents the discussion of questions of a party political nature. It w 7 as extremely gratifying to find that at the Provincial Conference, the remit was carried unanimously, but was thrown out at the Colonial Conference, on the ground that the necessary notice had not been given. After a trial extending over a number of years, there can be no doubt that this rule is the weakness of the Union, and it behoves us to leave no stone unturned to get it abolished. This branch, recognising the disabilities under which the Auckland Province laboured through the large areas of unoccupied native lands has on several occasions during the year endeavoured to have the legislation with regard to native lands altered, but so far with very little success. This is one of the most important questions that the branch will have to take in hand again during the ensuing year. One pleasing feature of the year is the number of new branches wc have been able to ; establish in the King Country. In my official capacity I, visited the various centres, and was successful in establishing a branch at each place. These are now in an extremely healthy condition, with a gradually | j increasing membership. The latter j part of the year has been a most try- | | ing one as far as the farmers of our | district are concerned, the long drought which set in at New Year leaving practically the whole district bare of fed, and also having a disastrous effect on the turnip crop, especially those late sown. Owing to the drought troubles, which culminated in the disastrous bush and swamp fires, the milk suppliers and supplies of fat stock to our Freezing Works fell off to an alarming extent. This was the more unfortunate as our butter this year reached an abnormal price in the London market, and had the weather conditions been favourable the year would have been a record one for dairy farmer?. During the year there has been a considerable drop in sheep, owing to the low price of wool and the scarcity of feed. The raising of pigs has shown a ; marked increase during the year, and higher prices have been obtained owing to "the advent of fresh buyers in the field working in conjunction j w t’i our Farmers’ Freezing Com- i pany. The year has also been notable i

for the manner in which the bottom has fallen out of the flax market, leaving most of the mills in the district idle, and unfortunately there is not much hope of improvement in the near future. The holders of flax areas are now agitating to have the taxation of their properties reduced, and in this it is hoped they will have the support of ourJJnion. As far as we can see at present we may look forward with confidence to the coming year. Indications point to most of the products of the soil, with the exception of flax, maintaining a fair value. The district is going ahead by leaps and bounds, but I would again sound a note of warning against the creation of boom values, the result of which will surely be disaster. ALLEN BELL, President.

Statement of income and expenditure for year ended 31st March 1908: Income: Balance brought forward 31st March, 1907, £ll 19s sd; Subscriptions, arrears 190G-7, £2 10s; subscriptions, year 1907-S, £9 10s; total, £23 19s sd. Expenditure: Provincial Council, subscription for term ending 31st March, 1906, £5; Provincial Council, levy, 1906-7, £7 10s; Waikato Times on account, £2; Waikato Argus on account, £2; sundries, £1 14s 2d; balance at credit, £5 15s 3d; total, £23 19s sd.

Land Campaign Fund : By subscriptions, £lO 19s; to amount remitted Provincial Council, £9 10s; balance at credit, £1 9s. The election of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with. Mr Bell proposed that Mr Parlane be president as he (the speaker) would be very busy during the next six months, and would not be able to give the time to the affairs of the Union that he had formerly done. Mr Parlane took a keen interest inUnion matters, and would make a most excellent president. Mr Parlane said that he could not accept the position, as ho was a new man amongst them. Mr Bell had filled the position with great ability and credit, to himself, and he wished to again see that gentleman representing them at the Conference. He proposed that Mr Bell be president. This was seconded by Mr Barugh and supported by Mr Young and carried unanimously.

Mr Bell consented to act provided that Mr Parlane would take the position of vice-president, and relieve him of some of the duties. He moved in that direction. This was seconded by Mr Young and carried unanimously. The following executive committee was elected : Messrs Joseph Barugh, D. Maroney, J. A. Young. Molesworth, Mulcock, J. G. Penniket, W. Chitty, J. Livingstone, and Oliver J. Riddle. Mr L. S. J. Bullock was re-elected secretary. Mr Barugh brought up the question of having the certificate furnished by merchants with manure altered. The present one was out of date, and had never been satisfactory. A committee consisting of Messrs Parlane, Barugh and Young was set up to interview Mr Aston, chemist to the Agricultural Department and bring up a report. The meeting then closed.