FARMERS UNION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 211, 30 May 1908, Page 7

FARMERS UNION.

CONFERENCE • AT CHRISTCHURCH. [BY* TELECKAI'n. —PRESS ASSOOIATIOK.] Ghristchurch, May 29. ' ' At the Farmers' Union Provincial Conference' to-day, a motion was carried protesting against tho excessive railway tariff on tho Lyttoltbn-Christchurch line. . It was also decided to support other organisations in urging completion of ' the South '. Island Main Trunk i Line. . . ;' On the motion of the'. President- (Mr. D. Jones) it was resolved that the Conference the Government tho necessity ofthe; establishment of an experimental, farm in mid-Canterbury. ' . Tho president, Messrs. R. Evans, G. W. Leadley, and O. F. Clothier were appointed delegates to the Colonial Conference of the Union. . • . - : : SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE. Invercargill, May 29.- 1 The annual Conference of delegates of the : Southland, Branch of the Farmers' Union is being held here. Mr. J. M'Q.ueen is presiding, and forty-seven delegates are I present. . Tho 1 Chairman, stated • that thero is still ljfe in tho Union, but lie regretted tho membership had not increased, though the subscription had been reduced.' He believed the Union should take greater inteifst in politics, particularly "in regard to representation of the agricultural'interest. Resolutions wero passed—"That all Parliament candidates be asked to pledge themsolves to ' try and .amend the Arbitration Act,> as proposed by the Minister for Labour last session, in regard to wages boards; that the Government take more active steps for the immigration of farm labourers, from the United Kingdom; that the analysis of artificial manures should be given in simpler terms; - that no system of land tenure that does not jillow tho farmer to obtain the freehold can bo satisfactory to tho farming community, and that' the optional system should apply to all settlement, as well 'as Crown .lands," whilo the . Conference favours reasonable; limitation- of area;' that the, sub-sidy-,to the Navy bo at least £100,000 '; that tho Union is opposed .to farmers coming under tho scope of tho 'Arbitration Act, and that a petition be presented, from the Union throughout the : ; Dominion to tho coining Parliament in favour of exempting agriculturists from its operation; that tho meeting protest against preference to tho unionists, moro especially in regard to the farming community.; that public'works be constructed by contract, instead of. on the co-operative system; that a determined effort be, made to liavo the clause 'relating to the valuation of improvements in-the Valuation Act amended by giving full value for actual benefit to the land from improvements other than ■ visible; that tho Colonial Council resist wany. attempts' involving the alteration of the present franchise for localj bodies or int'rbducti-ou of-a. General' Referendum or Fair Rent.Bill." V, ■