Social at Taupiri.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3783, 16 May 1908, Page 3

Social at Taupiri.

One of the most enjoyable socials thta it has been our lot to attend was that organised by the milk suppliers of theTaupiri district,and which took place last night. The hall was literally crowded, visitors being present from all parts of the district. The social took the form of a dance interspersed with songs and short addresses, and the arrangements reflect the greatest Jcredit on the energetic committee who put forth every effort to make the function a success. This committee consisted of Mesdames Gilbertson, Littlewood, and Joy, Misses Taylor, Briggs, Littlewood and Maitland, with Mr Gilbertson acting in the capacity of secretary. Mr Farrell acted as Master of Ceremonies, > and the music was supplied by Miss Fairweather, piano, and Mr Darby, violin. Songs and recitations were contributed by Mrs J. Taylor, Mrs R. D. Duxfield, Mr Liddle, and Master Gilbertson.

During the'qnterval, Mr Allen Bell, President of the Hamilton Branch of the Farmers’ Union, was requested to give a short address on its aims and objects, as it was proposed to start a branch in Taupiri. Mr Bell, who was received with a hearty round of applause, said that it always gave him great pleasure to render any assistance in starting branches of the Union. He thanked the people of Taupiri for their very kind invitation, and congratulated them on the splendid success they had made of their annual gathering. Functions of this kind were an excellent means of bringing the farmers together. At these functions they and .their families, had a chance of rubbing shoulders with each other, and thereby arrived at a better understanding, and he hoped he would, as years went on, again have the pleasure of spending many like enjoyable evenings with the good people of Taupiri. With regard to the Farmers’ Union, at a function of this kind he could not go into details; but he thought the farmers throughout the Dominion had failed to realise the good work that had already been done by the Union, and under the most adverse conditions. Hitherto the Union had eschewed general politics and therein lay its weakness. He was convinced that this disability would be removed in the very near future, and for that they would have to thank the Auckland Provincial Executive, who had taken a united stand, and would continue to fight until they had accomplished the object they had in view—that of strengthening the Union and making it a power in the hands of the farming community ot New Zealand. —Applause. Undoubtedly the most important question that had been taken in hand by the Union was that of land tenure. The Union was net the advocate of the capitalists or the holders of large estates, but it wished to see every man and every woman placed in the position of being able to acquire a piece of freehold.— Applause. It was the freehold that had placed the British Empire in its present position today. It was the possibility of being able to acquire a freehold that had brought our parents from the old lands, building up the colonies, without which England would not occupy that position among the nations that she does today.—Applause. Another burning question that the union had taken in hand was that of land valuation. The workings of the Valuation Department were even more dangerous than the attempted land legislation of last year. On the one hand the attempt to nationalise the lands of the Dominion was open, but the workings 'of the Valuation Department, although eventually arriving at the same end, were more obscure. Every year the unimproved or taxable value of our land was being rushed up in a most reckless and unwarranted manner. Last year another £12,000,000 had been added to the unimproved value of the land of the Dominion, and if the farmers did not wake up and support the union in the fight, they would find that in time, under this iniquitous system, their freehold would be of very little value. Last year he (the speaker) had taken the matter in hand, and he intended on this question to fight to a finish. — Applause. In concluding, Mr Bell said that the Farmers’ Union was not working on antagonistic lines to any other section of the community. All they wanted was fair play, and they wished to see class legislation done away with, and all sections of the '’/immunity pulling together, as therein lay the permanent success and prosperity of the country. When the people of Taupiri were ready to start ! their branch, he would be very pleaeed to again visit them, and more fully explain the platform of the union.— Loud applause. Mr H. Waring said that they were deeply indebted to Mr Bell for visiting them, and he trusted that the re suit would be the formation of a branch of the union. No man in the province had been more energetic in upholding the rights of the farming community, and they should all feel grateful to Mr Bell for the excellent work he had done during his term o? office as provincial president of the union in Auckland.—Applause.j; Unfortunately, in the past, the farmers had been pulling in all directions, with the result that they had not that say in the legislation of the

country “which was their due. Mr Waring urged his hearers to band together and stand up and fight for their rights.—Applause. Dancing was then resumed, and later on in the evening Mr Littlewood, in a few well chosen remarks, thanked the visitors for their attendance and assistance. Mr T. Paterson suitably replied on behalf of the visitors, and this concluded one of the most pleasant and sociable gatherings yet held in Taupiri.