FARMERS' UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 167, 27 July 1901, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

PALMERSTON N., Friday.

At the New Zealand Farmers' Union Conference "this afternoon a discussion took place on the platform of the Union, with the following1 results: Eoads: That the forfeiture of grants for roads for non-expendi-ture before the appearance of the Financial Statement- be abolished, and that the Government be requested to give authority for grants for roads, bridges, etc., to be expended as soon as the Estimates have passed the House. Crown Lands: That after the payment of the first deposit the settlers on Crown lands in the back country, where roads are unformed, be allowed thr«e years' occupation free. Settlers with the right of purchase to pay the same rent as lease in perpetuity. All Crown lands leaseholders, except those under the Land for Settlement Act, to have the right to purchase the freehold at any time after the expiry of 10 years from the date of lease, the right to be retrospective, provided that the area held by any one person shall comply with the provisions of the Land Act, the compulsory clause of the Land for Settlement Act to apply to native as well as private lands, and all Crown and native lands to be brought under the Noxious Weeds and Rabbit Acts.

The conference strongly opposed the Eight Hours' Bill, so far as it-re-lates to the farming industry, and a resolution was carried to that effect. The Workers' Compensation Act was protested against, and the executive recommend that the same should be amended if possible. The acquisition of the Wellington-Manawatu railway by the Government was urged. . A suggestion thai the Government be asked to establish cold storage in London and other large centres, and endeavour to improve the price of frozen meat, was left to the executive to deal with.