FARMERS' UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 183, 3 August 1900, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

The quarterly meeting of the Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union (registered) the head-quarters of which are at Wha'ngarei, was held this morning at the rooms of the Auckland Provincial Agricultural Association. There were^ present Mr M. W. Armstrong (President). Whangarei; G. Clark-Walker (general and provincial secretary); F. Dye, Kaukapakapa; J. 'H. Wright, Pukekohe; T. C. Salisbury, Kaipara Flats; Thos. Coates, Auckland; J. Miller, Onewhero; J. G. Rutherford (President of Auckland Agricultural Association), Pukekohe; B. Hall (Secretary of Auckland Agricultural Association), Mangere; J. Colquoh&un (Secretary Auckland Centre); S. A. Brown (Secretary Aupkland Farmers' Co-operative Association), Clevedon; L. Johnson, ■ Minutes.—The minutes of the former meeting were read and confirmed. Subsidies.—lt was resolved to petition the Government to make some new ar-

rangement whereby all Government subsi* dies granted to local bodies should become available for expenditure in the spring ot each year. Roads in the North.—lt was resolved to send a petition to the Government, through members for the district, that tho roads in the North of Auckland were ill a bad state through the local Tjodies not having sufficient funds through la.rge areas of Crown and Native lands lying idle. They, asked the sum of £2500 be granted to each County Council in the North of Auckland for the purpose of metalling the worst portions of the main roads.

Crown Lands.—lt was resolved the Government be petitioned that the taking up and settling- of Crown lands be facilitated in every possible way, and particularly in the following' directions:—(a) That tha value upon Crown lands lie the actual value of a competent valuer, and not (as at present) the surveyor's value, (b) That settlers on Crown lands be allowed 5 years' occupation free, (c) That the Old Homostead Act be revived (especially with regard to the North of New Zealand), (d) That bush settlers be allowed to sell tho timber on their lands, instead of burning it as at.present, (c) That settlers hold-ing-leases "with the right of purchase" pay the same instead of a higher rent than holders of leases "in perpetuity.'' (f) That all Crown leaseholders have a clause inserted in their leases giving them the right to purchase at any time during1 their lease, (g) That no private land be taken compulsorily while (here are Crown and Native lands unsettled, (h) That the Government also cause .a chain wide on their lands and those of settlers to be felleiS or cleared and pay their half of all division fences between Crown land and lane taken up, and cnarge the incoming purchaser or tenants of tends affected when taken up. •