Farmers’ Union.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 227, 10 July 1902, Page 4

Farmers’ Union.

Wki/.ivcdn, July 7. i'h > Farmers’ Union Conference resumed ibis morning. Mr Tansey (Dunncvirke) moved ’ —“ That the delegates from all branches in each electorate should meet and decide on a candidate whom they would recommend members of .the Union to vote for, and then get the support of the provincial executive for the candidate they favour.”

This was defeated, and Mr Birch's motion was carried with the following addition moved by Mr Kilbride : —And for the purpose of enabling members of the Union to decide upon his suitability or otherwise to represent farmers’ interests in L’arliamont.”

'The Taranaki delegates moved—- “ That should branches of the Union within any electorate, after consulting together, deem it advisable to follow any m -thods relating to lb" Mention of candidates nor suggest'd in the platform, they shall be at liberty to do so.” This was also dele.tied after dr-bate.

The Conference adopted the doilowing as the objects of the I uion ; bo foster the interests of tanners, fruitgrowers, and settlers; |to encourage co-operation among 1 member,-; to promo!o the opening gap and settlement of Crown and native lands, and the formation and improvement of means Of communication ; to obtain cheap freights, and to place the sale of produce and the ptfehase .of material required by agriculturists bn a satisfactory basis ; to keep u I vigilant watch on all meisurts : brought before the 1 louse of Repro-' Iseniativos and on the working of the present laws, and protest Against any measure deemed injurious' to farming interests; to jsecure the proper representation of |fanning interests in 'Parliament | members arc advised to vote only j for those candidates .who agree to the platform of the Union, and to place the interests of the Union Above those of party. ! The remainder of the morning 'sitting was taken up with construction of the Union’s platform. The Resolutions passed during the previous sittings of the Conference j wore classified as planks of the ! platform, the speakers repeating j the arguments used when the iseparate items were before the ! Conference.

The following are seven planks adopted as the Farmers’ Union’s platform :—(l) That 'grants for roads aod bridges should not de'pcnd on the will of the Minister, j bah when voted by the House ; should be applied to the particular Uvork for which they were passed, and on no account be diverted or allowed to lapse, ana should be spent by the local bodies wherever possible. (2) That when rural Crown lands are thrown open for settlement, the provisions of the Land Act shall bo carried out so that selectors may have a choice of tenure as provided for, viz., purchase for cash, lease with the option of purchase, and lease in perpetuity. (8) That all holders of land on lease in perpetuity or perpetual lease shall have the right to pure!use the freehold at any rime after the improvement conplied with, either by immediate cash payment or payments extending over an indefinite time, a reduction in rent to be made in proportion to such payment; no transfer to be registered unless such transfer has attached to it a declaration by the purchaser in terms of the Land Act and the Land for Settlements Act. (4) That native lands which benefit from the expenditure of general and special rates shall be placed upon the same footing as European lands so situated. (5) That taxation through the Customs should be for the purpose of raising revenue and’not for j protective purposes. (G) That no interference with existing contracts, such as is proposed by the [Lair Rent Bill, should be enacted. (7) That only ratepayers .be empowered to vote in local government matters in counties, road boards and rural districts. It was left to the Provincial Executive to formulate a series of questions to be submitted to Parliamentary candidates based on the platform. It was resolved to urge upon the Railway Department the necessity for the more accurate weighing of grain trucks, and frequent tarring of trucks; that an annual addition to the public debt must entail heavy taxation on farmers and workers, and seriously handicap the producers of the colony; that^ the Union considers loans to “local bodies should be relieved of the mortgage tax; that muitgages should be deducted from the annual value of laud bearing the graduated tax.

The morning was afterwards taken up with a conference with representatives of freezing companies of the colony. It was indicated that the subjects for discussion would be grading of sheep by the Government on similar lines to those of grading butter ; (2) opening up new markets by the companies, suggesting the West of England ami South Africa, the latter to bo worked by a pool of companies; 's) the bettor distribution of frozen meat in England ; (-1) insurance ; (5) freight.