FARMERS' UNION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12649, 10 November 1905, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

THE LAND TENURE QUESTION

i'er Press Association. OHRISTCHURCH, November 8. The annual summer conference of the "New Zealand Fanners' Union opened in Canterbury Agricultural Hall Buildings *his .afternoon. Mr J. G. Wilson, of Bulls, colonial president, was in the mohair. Other delegates present were:— JMessre .G. W. Leadiey, oolonial vu>eipresident (Ashibu-rton); W. Sbubbs (Palmersbon Nofrtlh), T. 0. Hodgson (EiUfcham): D. H.'Potts (Hawke's Bay), L. m. Phillips (Auckland), W. D Lysnar <Poverty Bay), W. Perry (Wellington), lit. J. Bell (Marl-borough), C. J. Ruffe! <Nelson), J. A. P&nnett 'and M. I<. ilyan (North Canterbury), A. Cleland South Canterbury), R. Scott (Otago); «J 'McQueen and N. A. 'McLaren (Southland); and A. J. McCurdy, colonial se«- '■■'■•. .!.v<s*" ■~'•: -Vi The President, m his address, said the aunion had '.prospered, and farmers geiir -erally could look forward to a very bright future. He referred to the degression in the lamb trade, and remarked that Australia was likely-to 'be New most prominent rival* If tie of potato disease was not arrested the necessity of giving the Maoris 3ielp would probably have to be faced. ."Dealing with the prospects of the dairy Industry, he said good prices were being Obtained far butter, and Siberian butter -3was not going ,to come into competition •with the colonial article to the extent safcicipated. Referring to the progress of -fche union, he said that a central office Hiad been established in Wellington, and anew branches had sprung up in many f)laces. Since the last conference in Wellington tihe work of advancing rural education had 'been enthusiastically taken :*ip. The :Land Commission's report to tins mind was extraordinarily against the -weight of evidence, for the bulk of evidence was in favour of the freehold. -•^Farmers must 'be .allowed to know something about the matter of land tenure, -and it was obvious thatfhey knew more saibout it than those who ihad only made =a book-study of it. He was glad to -iihink that the public was taking the side •of the farmers on the land question, and afcihat in the near future the freehold •would be granted- Farmers were against ■import duties toeing placed on ■machin--ery, but were quite willing that the duty be taken off raw material used in afche colony. RESOLUTIONS. Mr L. R. Phillips (Auckland) moved *** That all arterial and main roads be by the Public Works Depart. ■stoent, a,nd <fchat the system of graduated subsidies for local bodies be introduced, much. to be confined to other than' urban -and suburban bodies." Adopted, with 43ie omission of-the clause relating to -subsidies. (Mr L. 0. Hodgson (Taranaki) moved — "" That this council again protests against -the present system of 00-operative la"ibour. and would recommend that all works be let by tender." He1 de-.-cl&red that in his own district in some / instances co-operative labourers inclnd--ed Sydney spielers, loafers, and men who luad ever had a shovel in their hands Sbefore.—Motion carried. The following remit was sent forward 3by Auckland:—" That the Government "%e'urged <ko introduced such legislation zsia will speedily settle native lands (a) 3by providing means that will enable n.v Tbives to obtain their titles as speedily as -possible, (b) by making sufficient redserves for the sustenance of natives, (c) and will enable native owners to lease ■or sell their land other than reserves, provision being made against the aggregation of large estates by Europeans; lands if retained by natives to pay ratea •and taxes v.the same as land held by 33uropeans.^ The Auckland delegate sannonnced he would alter the remit to =a simple motion in the direction of providing that in dealing with native lands "Europeans be given the option of acquiring the freehold.—Decided that the ''■Colonial Executive be instructed to report on the question to next conference. THE FREEHOLD. Mr L. K. Phillips (Auckland) moved— : *" That Crown tenants on lease-in-perpe-•*uity tenure'have tihe right to acquire 4he freehold of tbeir holdings on payanent by the lessee of the original value sind payment of the difference between •4 per. cent, now charged on lease-in-perpetuity and 5 per cent, charged to tenants under occupation with right of purdiase tenure." The President pointed out that the following was sent forward as a remit <£rom the Advisory Board:—" That tenjSiixbs under lease-ki-perpetuity be grant*ed the right of acquiring the freehold •original valuation, plus the addition •of an amount to equalise their payments with compound interest added as with -occupation witlh .right of purchase tenants. The two motions were taken together. (Mr Pannett wanted to know why it *!hould be proposed to give Crown tenants the freehold on more advantageous -terms than, a private individual would part with his rights ? Mr /McQueen (Southland) maintained the colony was giving nothing -away. The State had already parted ■with its land when it gave 999 years' -lease-^a lease that was discredited and -condemned iby those who had supported it. Every farmer 'should help his brother on Crown lauds to acquire the freehold. ■Mr L. R.'Phillips (Auckland)thought were so unitedly agreed on the -subject that the matter need not be dis•cussed. Mr G. W. Leadiey (Canterbury) said ■the question of freehold and leasehold a;ad passed beyond the range of discussion. The 'battle now raged round the *erms on which the freehold should be cgranted. He agreed with Mr McQueen, -and would support the motion. Mr Pannett said the freehold should given at present valuation with a Jiberad allowance for improvement. The President said 'he felt certain if "the freehold were given on present •values the tenant would suffer, for the of valuation for improvements -was co intricate. The motion brought down by the Ad"visory Board was put to the meeting ;and carried without opposition. OTHER RESOLUTIONS. The following motions were also adopt--*d:—"That all valuators of land shall leave a copy of their valuations with * owners or occupiers of the land; that -only ratepayers 'be empowered to vote on local government matters in counties, road boards, and rural districts; that -the council urge upon the Government ttfie growing necessity. for adequate assistance 'being given by the State to Tural education; tfcat in the matter of -education in country schools the coun--oil is of opinion that book-keeping ought *4to be taught to all pupils, male and female, and when considering the question, of technical education ought to Jhave the preference, if any be given. Mr T. 0. Hodgson (Taranaki) moved: *' That this council recommends the purchase of three hundred or four hundred acres of land in the North and South /Islands to be worked as experimental if arms under the auspices of the New Zealand Farmers' Union."—-Decided to ■refer to next conference. At the evening sitting a deputation -was received from implement-makers •and workmen engaged in. the industry "TV.ith whom the conference discussed the -effect of the Harvester Trust in New Zealand. The discussion was taken in committee (MISCELLANEOUS. It was agreed that at least one veterinary surgeon should be attached to -«ach stock district. Pleasure was expressed at the action «of tfhe Government in calling for tend-

ers for the renewal of the South African subsidised service.

A resolution from Canterbury against the present system of charging special rates for railage on imported ooal and timber was carried.

(It was also agreed that artificial manure should flbe carried on the Government Railways at the lowest scale trf charges. 'On the motion of the Hawke's Bay delegate, it was agreed to urge that all farmers, including Government tenants, should be alloweoto place their fii-e insurance risks with /whatever company they thought fit.A motion—''That the provisions of the Workers' Oompensation Act, giving a preferential claim over a property as against existing anortgages be repealed, and that any claim under the Aob should only hold good against the owner's interest in 'any property plus mortgages," was also carried. The executive was instructed to take into consideration the advisaibleness of establishing an. accident insurance schema .for the use of members" only. ■FROZEN MEAT.

•Mr W. D. Lysnar (Poverty Bay) brought up a matter wfhich was causing «xporters from Gisborne great concern. Farmers shipped mutton on their own account, and a cloan receipt was given when the meat was received by the ship, but wihen the shipment got Home there were always a number of carcases tagged as " damaged." They Avere supposed to be covered by insurasce, and claims were accordingly made, but with most unsatisfactory results. He quoted figures to sliow the high percentage of carcases returned as "damaged." Exporters had endeavoured to .find out the cause of the trouble, but had been unsuccessful. Mr McQueen (Southland), who is managing director of the Southland Frozen Meat Company, expressed astonishment at '^he statement made :by Mr Lysnar, saying the experience of his company was that there was very little damage indeed. .