FARMERS AND LABOURERS AND THE ENGLISH GENERAL ELECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2074, 22 October 1885, Page 4

FARMERS AND LABOURERS AND THE ENGLISH GENERAL ELECTION.

Tin. following circular of questions is to lit si'nt to candidates for county constituencies — "Sir, — Tnc undersigned, nicnihei s of the Fanners' Alliance, and of tlic National Agricultural Labouiera' Union, and others, being votcis in your di\ lsion of the county, desiiu to call yom attention to tlio i.eeds of tenant fai meis and labomcrs under the picsmt difficult eiini instances of ngiicultuie, md to obtain from you a distinct expicssion of your views upon the remedies which the y arc :in\ioiis to see cairicd into legislative effect. The pnneipil object winch the Kaimcis' Alliance and the National Agncultural Lal)ouicrs' Union have in view, and to which they invite your adhesion, aie— (l) To stimulate the improved culti vation of the land by obtaining full security for the capital of tenants invested in the impiovcinent of their holdings a result not obtuned by the Agricultural Holdings Act, ISS.'J ; (2) to secure to ratepayer full and direct rcpiescntation in county government; (3) to promote the reform of laws l elating to the ownership nnd transfer of land ; ( I) to obtain the total abolition of the Liw of Distress ; (3) to encourage gieater hecdom in the cultivation of the soil and the disposal of its pioducc ; ((>) to obtain an equal apportionment of local buulens between landloid and tenant ; (7) to obtain the abolition of c\traoidinai} tithe lent charge on equitable tcims, and to rcndci the landlord inalienably liable to ordinary tithe, exempting the chattels of the tenant from dntiess fornon payment ; (S) to suppress the protection at present granted in favour of foreign produce by the railway companies in the form of a, disparity of rates to the piejudice of the British producer; (!)) to piomote the further reform of the Game Laws ; (JO) to secure to local authorities power to take land upon equitable terms for providing suitable cottage and allotment accommodation for the wot king people; (11) to piovi.lc incicased .sanitaiy regulations. The above objects v\ ere agreed on at a conference held between the Kvecutivc Committee of the Farmeis' Alliance and Mr Joseph Arch and others, repiesenting the National Agricultural Labouiers' Union, at a meeting held at the offices of the Farmers' Alliance, Palace Chamber-, Bridge Street, Westminster, on the 21st of -July, ISS.j. A deputation will be happy to wait upon you for the purpose of elucidating any doubtful points, and of receiving your decision, at any timo you may be pleased to appoint.'