FARMERS AND POLITICS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIII, Issue 8530, 9 April 1913, Page 7

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

QUEENSLAND'S FIGHTING PLATFORM..

Queensland farmers will play a prominent part in the forthcoming federal elections. They are running a man against Mr Andrew Fisher, Prime Minister, and they will contest a number of seats. They are very much political. The " Federal fighting platform" of the Queensland Farmers' Union reads: ■ ■ 1. Anti-Socialism.—Amendment of the Commonwealth Conciliation and „'Arbitration Act to exempt Rural employees and Rural employers from harassing litigation in the Industrial [Court. No preference to Unionists. Freedom of contract. 2. Tariff Reform.—Tariff Reform in favour of the primary .industries. j Reduction of duties on agricultural machinery, and machinery required in th' manufacture of flour, butter, bacon, cheese, sugar, etc. 3. Sugar Policy.—£7 a ton guaranteed for 15 years. Abolition of excise arid ■, ■' bounty. Full refund of difference between excise and bounty for year 1912. A definite contract between grower and miller before any alteration of the tariff.. , 4: Land' Policy .-—No land taxation other than for local Government purposes. The Local Authorities to be vested with the sole right to tax land, and all revenue from Buch source to be used in building roads, guaranteeing, railways into new districts, and for the other purposes of Local Go-j i vernment. Freehold tenure to main- j [tain the pioneers' title to tho land he! I has' reclaimed. """■;- ---j 6. Taxation.—A general lessening 'of the burden of taxation on the primary producer, <and the development of the primary industries, which ar© thej ! sources of new wealth, the sources of | ! exports, and the foundation tipon which the material prosperity of the whole community depends. 6. Immigration Policy.—A vigorous Immigration Policy to settle Australia's vacant lands with a white population, this being tho first essential to national defence. 7. Defence.—To continue and adhere to the scheme of national defence, known as Lord Kitchener's scheme. '''.'-. 8. To maintain State rights and uphold tho Federal Constitution. 9. To support preferential trade within the Empire. 10. To opposd any trust or combination which would tend directly or indirectly to increase the price of agricultural machinery, or machinery required in primary production, or which would tend to increaso the cost of prodtietioii in tho primary industries. ■ j , 11. To assist co-operativo,-enter-' pri&e in , the primary industries throughout.Australia, and to secure tho' primary producers • a largor control of th<> methods of placing the products of tho laud, cither raw or manufactured, .on the markets. 12., The Executive of the Queensland- Farmers' Union to bo authorised to give ttoh o Union's endorsement only to suc:h oandidales us will accept the Union's Policy and Platform.