WITH THE PREMIER

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 265, 1 August 1908, Page 3

WITH THE PREMIER

PROPOSALS DISCUSSED. FULL CONSIDERATION PROMISED. Last night, during tho supper adjournment of tho House, the Premier, Sir Josoph Ward, received a deputation of tho Farmers' Union Conference, for whom tho President Mr. J. G. Wilson was spokesman, to lay beforo him tho desires of the Conference on various questions.

Mr. Wilson said that though the members were still dissatisfied with tho laud legislation they had now, of course, to accopt it. The individualisation of Native lands was strongly desired. In cases whero there wero so many owners that tho sharo of each-in-dividual would bo too small to work or lot separately, it was suggested that provision might bo made to group a.number of them. Mr. Wilson stated the views of tho Union concerning tho recognition of manures on Crown lands' as improvements, tho objections to taxation on unimproved value, tho roadinp of Crown and Native lands, the cheap railage of metal' for concreting dairy yards, etc., as was dono for local bodies. Sir Joseph Ward said this questiori had been fully considered, and the Government had concluded it could not be justified on any tenablo grounds. . Mr. Wilson mentioned _ the questions of railway fares to fanners visiting experiment farms, tho reduction of railway rates on imported timber to tho rates_ charged on local timber, the need of a University chair of agriculture, the wisdom of tho proposed increased navy subsidy, and compulsory military training, etc. . Tho Premier, in reply, said in regard to individualisation and grouping of Nativo lands tho matter would bo considered, but probably nothing final would be dono, this session. The reports of 'the Royal Commission, which foreshadowed the opening uj) of between two and three million acres- of Native laud, would exercise tho attention of Parliament this session. Concerning-', tho proposal to fix a spccial taxable value of land, he would desire to liavo clearer detail as to how this valuo was to be arrived at beforo ho' could consider it as a basis for legislation. The claims of Awarua and Aparoa to roads, said to have been promised, by tho late Premier would be looked into. The. proposed reduction of railway rates on imported timber would have to bo treated with great caro. Thero were demands already made that tho duty on imported timber should bo reduced, and' tho present request would aggravato the position. Tho reduction would benefit peoplo in the country, but tho city peoplo wanted tho rates reduced on timber from the mills to the The wholo question would bo considered, but it was usual to';mako alterations in railway rates at one timo of year and gazetto' them. . THE ARBITRATION. DIFFICULTY.' He was afraid the Farmers'. Union had not suggested a solution of the arbitration difficulty. Tho question of strikes, v. no strikes, sweating v. no sweating, and the general-conditions.,'of tho workers had all been very much under tho eye of tho public lately. It. was evident to most people that the aifairs of tho last'few months could not' go on, but different people' had different remedies. Some had urged total repeal of the Act from quite different points _of view from those of the farmers. Ho himself, however, felt that a sensible effort ought to be mado to improve tho existing law, which, on the whole, had been valuable. Total repeal would result in a worse position arising. Tho question now beforo a'; committee, which would report to the House, and he hoped tho common sense of tiie House would be able to remove somo of the troubles. Did the farmers suggest any substitute to the Act?. • Mr. Wilson said the Canadian system with compulsion had been recommended. Sir Joseph Ward said some authorities considered, there wero serious defects in tho Canadian /law. As to . the proposed chair of agriculture, it had his strong personal approval, and would bo considered. The question of injury to, lands'caused by mining tailings in rivers had -long soriously engaged tho Government, and required remedy. Compulsory military training was a delicate question, and ho did not think any Government for somo years to ■ como could carry a proposal. ■ for compulsory universal training. The objection ■ was chiefly ajgainst the interruption of occupations. But the farmers', proposal to " restrict it to youths up to 20 years old was simpler. Wliat was mainly, wanted was something to fill the gap between the cadets and the' volunteer corps. ' . • ; Concerning remission of taxes on land planted - in timber, ho recognised the great importance of afforestation, and would readily consider the proposal. But no taxation proposals would bo . introduced this session..

BORDER LpCESTERSs.A COLD MEDAL.I

A Ghristchurch Press Association, telegram states thdt'tho secretary of the Agricultural' and Pastoral Association has received intimation that tho . Border.Leicester. Sheep Breeders' Society: 0 f Great Britain has decided to present a valuablo gold medal , to bo competed for amougst. Border Leicester breeders in New Zealand. Tho medal will be competed ;for at Christchurch at tile forthcoming show, Dimedin in 1909,' and Invorcargill in 1910.- The winner of the largest number of-points to hold it for the year, and the winner of the'largest number of aggregate points at the three shows to.beccmo tho possessor of the modal. LICE IN SHEEP. POVERTY BAY. PROSECUTIONS. . It is stated, notwithstanding 'tho numerous instances of farmers: appearing in court recently, and lined for having lousy sheep ill their possession, not a single case is recorded' of a sheep-owner' who used Quibell's Patent Powder Dip being charged in this connection. For all the various purposes of sheepdipping this splendid preparation is an unqualified success; ■ in fact,. has never-' been knowh to fail, a statement which is attested by ,the fact that if is in use by many of tho largest' and the most noted-sheep-breeders in this .Dominion to-day, all, of'whom speak; of it in 'the' Highest possible terms. '■< .5680'