FARMERS IN CONFERENCE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 9, 4 August 1911, Page 6

FARMERS IN CONFERENCE.

J IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS. WELLINGTON, July 28. The Farmers' Union Conference passed further resolutions as follows: That the conference strongly objects to the imposition of an export duty on hides and greasy wool; that in view of the scarcity of farm labor the conference approves of the introduction of suitable youths under careful selection from Great Britain; that all tablet stations be connected by telephone with' the nearest post office, so that settlers can receive the earliest intimation of the arrival of goods, the telephone to be available to the public; that the system of charging extra rail freight on imported goods and timber should bo abolished; that this conference enters an emphatic protest against the system now in vogue on the New Zealand railways whereby two or more farmers taking stock (ranis, for instance) from one station to any one destination cannot combine together to share a truck or trucks, and send them as one consignment, and would urge the Dominion Executive to bring the matter to the notice of the Minister for Railways for his favorable consideration ; that Government be urged to give a better supply of trucks for fat stock during the months of December, January, February and March; that the railway authorities bo requested to give the exact and correct weight of all produce conveyed, and users will be prepared to pay a higher charge for same if necessary; that as there has been great loss and inconvenience again this season through the scarcity of grain trucks, the Minister for Railways be again urged to provide a large increase in the number to be available for next season, as well as covers; that the Minister for Railways be urged to reduce the charge of £25 per annum for private sidings and the erection of sheds thereat to a nominal sum; that a better system be adopted in the construction of yards and trucks for loading and discharging sheep and all sheep trucks should be battened, and that in future all new trucks should have end-on means of communication with each other for loading sheep; that where roads and tracks are cut through bush lands, the Government or local body in charge of the work shall cause the road line to be sown with good clean grass seed to prevent the pread of weeds., and as an assistance to travelling stock; that all telephone charges be the samo in each postal district, irrespective of distance; that the Farmers' Union urges that country . xchanges and telephone bureaux be open between the hours of 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., and in the case of country telephones, that the lines be connected with the nearest doctor, hospital or chemist when required; that a reduction be made to telephone subscribers in cases where more than one subscriber is using the same wire; that experimental farms or experimental plots be established in other districts in the South Island in view of the diversity of climatic conditions; that, wth a view to encouraging reafforestation by private enterprise to supplement that carried on by the State, more particularly with the object of making tree-planting more general instead of being confined to a few localities, the Dominion Conference endeavors to promote legislation so as to exempt plantations for timber and shelter purposes of over one acre in extent from rates and taxes, and to provide for subsidising such plantations by grants; that, in view of the depletion of natural forests, the Government continue afforestation in suitable localities ; that branches be urged to experiment with manures on crops and fodders; that manufacturers be asked to add distinguishing marks on grain sacks showing the different sizes of sacks; that the present system of electing representatives of Hospital and Harbor Boards is most unsatisfactory, and that the old scheme of election be reverted to. Imported Bonedust. Mr Makgill (Auckland) moved: "That the Dominion Conference be asked to discuss the action of ; the Government in regard to the \ regulations imposed on the manu- . facture of bonedust for importation into New Zealand, and, if deemed advisable, that the Government be asked to relax the regulations, which are now being objected to by the manufacturers." The mover thought a committee should be set up to discuss the matter with the Minister for Agriculture and his officers. Hon. T. Mackenzie said the t hject f f the Government was to increase the safety of the people here. They tried to get increased protection for the far-. n-er.-;, but the manufacturers in India would not meet them. However, therewas not much risk of t'econtamiTintiou after the bones had passed the Government's inspectors in India. The president thought it had been proved that the steps the Government took in regard to the inspection of bonedust had been very .' ueeessful. Mr Maxwell (Taranaki) moved that the Government be asked not to relax in any way its efforts to ensure that imported bone is properly sterilised. Mr G. Slieat (North Canterbury) seconded the amendment. The motion was withdrawn and the amendment carried. Cow Testing. A resolution in regard to cow testing was tabled by the Taranaki Union (Mr J. W. Jones), who moved: "That, seeing the great importance of the dairy industry in New Zealand, this conference urges dairy companies, A. and P. Associations, and branches of the union to use every effort to foster and encourage cow testing," Mr Bir.li seconded the motion, which he thought was in the interests of the industry. Mr Makgill said he had iVund tho benefit of testing. He had been teftiug for seven or eight years, and he had increased from his herd 101b or 121b of butter-fat per cow, putting it at a low estimate. Mr D. Cuddie, Dairy Commissioner, said good herds had averaged 77151b of milk and 3201b of butter-fat per head, and the poor herds averaged 4323 and

168 respectively. The difference in money value was £7 12s per cow. The matter was a very important one, and the Department was doing all it could to help the farmers. He considered this the most important factor of the day. So far the Department was very pleased with results, and they had received 65 applications from different centres for the services of men to start association's. There would be an important forward movement during the coming year. Mr McQueen raised tho question of the disposal of cows that could not come up to a certain test—the rejects. Perhaps legislation would bo required to deal with this. In reply to a question, Mr Cuddie said he had taken out figures for a good district (Taranaki), covering about 5000 cows, and the return of butter-fat was 1981b on the average. Tho latter ranged from 1301b to 2971b. The motion was carried. CONCLUDING RESOLUTfONS. WELLINGTON, July 28. Tho Dominion Conference of the Farmers' Union concluded to-day. The following resolutions were carried : That the union views with concern tho fact, as reported from Loudon, of tho control of the Shaw, Savill Shipping Company by the Morgan Combine, as shipping companies are so bound up with the frozen meat industry of the Dominion, and urges the Government to keep a watchful eye over possible means of American control of this very important industry of the Dominion; and that this conference take the matter in hand and put it before the Government." "That consideration bo given to the methods under which experiments are carried out on Government experimental farms, and that the Advisory Committee be requested to consult the Mim ister for Agriculture upon the subject after making necessary inquiries." "That the conference be requested to take steps to have the railway rates for Farmers' Union excursions placed (in tho samo scale as those of friendly societies." "That the conference urge on the Government the need of passing the long-delayed Local Government Bill." "'J hat the Government be asked to amend the Trade Marks Act so as to enable any wool brand to be registered." "That individuals who may have Government mortgages over their properties have the right to insure in any reputable office." "That the Government be requested to enact that hospital and charitable aid boards be the recipients of all auctioneers', public-house and motor vehicles license fees." "That the conference bring under the notice of the union the question of companies promoted to keep up the price of farmers' supplies, with a view to suggesting a remedy for the same." "That banks throughout the Dominion be asked to extend their closing hour on Saturdays to one o'clock." "That the union appoint a day, to be called Farmers' Union Day, on which sports, picnics or any form of amusement may bo held in various districts to give farmers, their wives and families an interest in the union and increase the membership." "That a protest be made against the way in which the so-called co-operative works of the Dominion are carried out, and that the Dominion Executive urge upon the Minister for Public Works the desirability of again reverting to the contract system of labor." "That the union be asked to have the law relating to horse-stealing amended at as early a date as possible, as at present the law is very unfair to horseowners." "That the present divided control between Maori Council and local body being detrimental to proper registration, the union should take steps to destroy all unregistered dogs." The resolutions carried will be forwarded to the Minister in charge of tho various Departments to which they relate. FARMERS AND POLITICS. POLICY Ol'' A FEDERATION. WELLINGTON, July 28. The question of allying itself with the Farmers' Political Protection Federation was discussed by the Farmers' Conference in committee, and an affirmative decision was arrived at, the following policy of federation being agreed to: 1. That this conference approves of the formation of a Farmers' Political Protection Federation. 2. The objects of the federation to be the return of parliamentary candidates to support the platform of the Farmers' Union irrespective o£ other political views. 3. That all candidates shall therefore be asked to state clearly in writing or from a public platform their views on the Farmers' Union platform, and how far they are prepared to support it. 4. The candidates who shall be deemed to have made the most satisfactory statements or pledges should have the support of all members of the union irrespective of other political parties. 5. That in order to carry out the foregoing- resolutions provisional executives may instruct branches of the union within each electoral district to appoint delegates who should form a committee, which should meet in order to advise members as to which candidate to support. In the case of two or more candidates being equally satisfactory, members should be free to vote .■is they think fit. The following are the questions relating to the platform which candidates are requested to reply to: 1. Crown tenants to have the option of purchasing the freehold of their lease at the orginal value, provided that in the case of l.i.p. tenants an addition of (?) per cent, rent, and in the case of renewable leases at the capita! value at the time of the purchase less the lessee's interest in the lease (to be decided by arbitration). Optional tenure in disposal of Crown lands to be continued. 2. That only ratepayers be empowered to vote on local government matters in counties, road boards, and rural districts.

3. That no inorease of taxation by way of land tax or protective duty be imposed. 4. That the construction of public works should be by contract, to be let by tender. 5. That legislation of a penal or socialistic character tending to monopolise the State means of production, distribution, and exchange shall be strenuously resisted.