FARMERS' UNION COLUMN.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2041, 24 August 1906, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION COLUMN.

(Published by arrangement.)

Oil.l MOTS AND PLATFORM. As Passed til the Colonial Council of 19012, und re-aflirmed ut the Colonial Council of nm;{. OBJECTS.. The objects of the linion are to foster the interests of tile fanners, fruitgrowers, and settlers of New Zealand, to encourage co-operation amongst its members ; to promote the opening tip and settlement of Crown and Native lands ; ami the formation and improve nient, of means of communication, to obtain cheap freigh ts, and to place the sale of produce and the purchase of material required• by agriculturists on a satisfactory basis ;to keep a vigilant watch on all measures brought hefore the House of Representatives, and oil the working of the present laws, to protest against any measure deemed in urions to larmers' interests ; to secure proper representation of farmers' interests in Parliament. To secure proper representation of farmers' interests. in Parliament. To secure this, members of the Union are advised to vote only for those candidates who agree to the platform of the Union, and to place the interests of the Union above those of party. I'LATKORM. 1. That grants for roads and bridges should not depend on the will of a Minister, but when voted by the House should lie implied to the particular work for which they are passed, and on no account to be diverted or allowed to lapse, and should lie spent by the local bodies wherever possible. 2. That when rural Crown lands are thrown open for settlement tile provisions ot the Land Act should be carried out, so that selectors may have a choice of tenure, as provided for, viz., purchase for cash, lease with o|>tion of purchase, lease in perpetuity. .'i. That all holders of land on lease in perpetuity, or perpetual h-ase, or small glazing runs, have the right to purchase the freehold at any time after the improvement conditions have been complied with, either bv immediate cash payments or payments extending over an indefinite time, reduction of rent to be made in proportion to such payments. No transfer to be registered unless such transfer has attached a declaration by the purchaser in terms of the Land Act and Lands for Settlement Act. I. That native lands which benefit, from the expenditure of special and general rates shall be placed upon the same footing- as Kuropean lands so sit uated. 5. That taxation through the Customs should, be for the purpose of raising revenue and not for protective purposes. 'i. That no interfer'.'nce with existing contracts, such as is proposed bv the Fair Kent Rill, should be enacted. 7. That only ratepayers be empowered to vote on local government matters in counties, road boards, and rural districts. That Crown tenants on the lease in perpetuity tenure have right to acquire thef reellold of their holdings on payment, by the lessee, of tin 1 original value, and the payment of the differed on the lease in perpetuity and the 5 per cent, charged to tenants with right of purchase.