FARMERS' UNION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 136, 15 July 1914, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

THE PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. CLOSER SETTLEMENT NEEDED. The executive of the North Canterbury branch of the Farmers' Union met yesterday, Mr G. Gardiner presiding. Thqre were also present: Messrs G. Sheat, Isaac Andrew, W. Bailey, G. G. Newton, J. W. Patchett, Hasil, Seth-Sinith, and Benjamin. •The Chairman reported on the'result of the New Zealand Co-operative Association's conference. He was impressed, he said, with .the personnel of that gathering. As a result of the deliberations the Farmers' Union delegates had come away fully impressed that it was right and proper for them to try to deal as advantageously as. possible. It was nothing in the nature.of a trust. The movement was in the right direction. There were several things they would have to do before they could be put upon a proper footing. If they were put upon tjie proper footing there would follow in New Zealand what had taken place in Denmark —that these co-operative associations would be the life and soul of the community. The however, were springing up all over the country, and eaeh association seemed to have a different basis. The sopner that question was tackled the better.

Mr G. Sheat, in referring to the same conference, stressed the necessity for union among the farmers. When there arose a question such as a strike, the farmers could not afford to be divided. The chairman said that of late the Government had had -a good number of windfalls from. North Canterbury. He thought it only fair that that money should be put to the use of purchasing some of the large estates in North Canterbury. There were places in North Canterbury that could stand a good deal of settlement and development without harm to anybody. He lived in a district represented by a member of Par* liament who had never bestirred himself to get one foot of ground. The Farmers' Union, he thought, could very well pass a resolution, asking Mr Massey to see if some land in' North Canterbury could not be cut up for closer settlement. He named several estates which he considered could very well be cut up. An association had recently been started for the purpose of " boosting" up North Canterbury. What was the use of doing that if they did not start in the right way. He would like to have the sympathy and assistance of the farmers in this matter. He moved-that the Prime Minister' be asked to take steps to have closer settlement carried out in North Canterbury. Mr Horrell: "Where will you draw the line? You want to be a little bit careful." N The chairman: "If you are not in favour of closer settlement say so. I am very much in sympathy with it:" Mr Horrell: "Not more than I am." The chairman: "Canterbury is languishing for want of more population, and the only way is to cut up the land." Mr Sheat supported the motion. He thought, however, that the first part should be withdrawn; that regarding the recent windfalls by way of death duties. He would be sorry to see that held out as a reason. It was very desirable that the large estates should be purchased, and he knew of no district where it could be so well done as North Canterbury. The chairman said he did not mean to suggest that the that had gone to the Government from death duties should be used for the purpose stated. The motion was carried.

It was decided to leave in the hands of the delegates to the Dominion Conference the matter of testing and developing the lime deposits of North Canterbury.