FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11377, 13 September 1902, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION.

C3ONFEI-_NOE - AT.'TJ^-RU^^M

The Conference of delegates of the> Vincial Union was held at y-rte*d*y, .and was poorly att-ided, bmw£ ihree out of seven branches being started. * The Pr_ttde_fc, Mr ChtihaTm*-i*k°t signed as a protest against the apathy' of*; farmers, but retained the position tatt $_*- - close of the meeting. Mr Leadley, Pre-?.'- ,f dent-of tho North Canterbury branch, wem"~ '" present, and gave an address. The dis-"-" cussions tended to show that the fanner^' 1 were dissatisfied with the decision of the «-' Colonial Conference, that the Union should ' take a neutrt- position in farm labour dis* '.' putes, and, ' consequently had losfj \ interest in an organisation that envpears unable to do anything fop- > thsmj. , The particular grievance.- ' seemed to be the aloofness of the Union hi regard to tbe claim under the Arbitration! - * Act by threshing mill hands for increased - pay, which, is said, will'involve an -extra tax <rf a penny per bushel, or 3s 6d per + acre. Mr Leadley strongly urged the farmers to be loyal, for the political and ' permanent value of the Union. was of greater importance than locd' and temporary disputes. The fob "Lowing resolutions were carried f (l) r - That in the opinion of this Conference it is absolutely necessary that the Union be fully ; registered, and be prepared to defend the '< interests of members in the Law Courtsthat the principle of freedom of contract is of vital importance, and that a copy of .the ' resolution be sent to the President of the Union, requesting his immediate attention. ; That a special session of the Colonial Ex* ' cutive be called to deal with the above re- r solution. It was resolved that the Union should run its own candidates for Parliament. . This was opposed by one delegate Mr T. Anstey, who said such a thing musa- : fail an South Canterbury. More good ' would be done by impressing upon members - what the farmers wanted. He a_o ridi-, • culed the list of questions sent out by the'' Union to be put to candidates, some of '" which he said referred only to the North < Island, and others to matters of little _mi,"' portance, while important questions were '" ignored. ■ ~■--•