FARMERS' UNION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 572, 29 July 1909, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION.

SECOND DAY'S CONFhRENCE

DREADNOUGHTS AND BORROWING

DEFIMIL lIOVL lUH NU'RE LVND SLrTLUUGN i PROTECfLD INDLSIRILS-PAR VSirES 'llio Dominion Conference of tlio Now Zealand larmeis , Lmoii mis losuiued in tlie looms o\ei llio Welliiutcn Clumber or Commeico inoiniu,; The incsidoiu, Mi J G Wilson, oanniPtl the thin It was, icpoited that tlio ccnfuei'cc in commit tec on tlip piewous uemng hid considered the annual Inhnce sheet, ninth showed a satisfactory position

■'. : Borrowing to Purchase;- Estates. ;;Mt. J. W. Jones (Taranaki) moved:' ; !'TJiat. while there ,is so milch waste land in New Zealand (both' .Crown.'arid Native), awaiting■ settlonieiit,- this conference of the .New Zoa-; land Fa-r'uiers' Union-considers it worse-;tlian." folly ; . to ;;continuo; borrowing in -the foreign market to purchase improved private estates; for tho purpose of. leasing. to 'settlers; the Goverumeiit acting as agent for the mdiiej-lerider'-iri obllecting'.'tlio. rents.to pay. interest Sri/tho borrowed money,, thereby creating/a gigantic system of absentee landlordism that; ' musfc # prove disastrous to tho ; Do-, ;mihion.'!! :••■-. ..'"■'•.;'.;'. :•'■:'■'"',:''.-'»'■. '•;■',. ;,■■: .! Mr. Maxwell (Taranaki) seconded.' >r Mr. Lano (Hawko's ,;Bay)- opposed the mo-" fcioii oil' .tlip'.g'rbriri.d that the motion appeared, to .censure- the -Lands for Settlcnient -'Act, '..which ;mpst J farinoi"s.'."approved,■■'provided'.!the 'purchase money were obtained oy the Government by' tho sale of,freeholds and not', by. ljorro.-vving.out-sidct'hc.country. ..: ~; ;; ■''.«'Tlie. i pMsidcnt said.that possibly.tlio words of tho motjon might bb contorted ,to cp-uyey a'wrong, impression.: ;' '/./ .:; '.;:-:/.'-;-, v •Mr.'i'-Lane:.-.And-'will :.bb' contorted/ They contorted 'what wo said yes-terd.iy. (Laughi.''V ; ,V:'\;'; V -■;;;,' /, - : , [, '/, .. ;'t- A; 'delegate:; : Tliey are /born: contortionists-, r :and caii-t. help't'homsalves..' . / / '.'. '-V'Mr/'J.'W.'Jones said/;Tara;naki!_s chief. dc- : ■sire was , 'to stop the;nri!iccc-ssary ijicroaso of the:.:pub.lio debt by to .purcluise | : iroprov,ed lands for leasing, .'while.'itho; present '.j state of. tho' ''country' , required' that',' capital should-'bo ..obtained: rather by;;;t|ie;.salo;'of.freeholds. ";■'':• ...;•;■; : ':i:.?-' ';/'.;■:'!.-'.■■r'-'.' v :'.{ , ' '-'■ ;■ ■'':' for Sottlemciit.'policy had .in 'sonie.casos'.set-.; '.tied 200 rucn ■ on'., an ''estate•■ formerly,.owned ;sy. : .-■inent.'■■.:',;■'/■•'/■■"'v'. : :,' .)/•,.. ; ; ;,- !!/',v- v y :h.'"v----,r Various.amendments were••sngi»esied/;'';-; : . ■'-' ~; ;Mr.''Maxwell finally said .tho,Taranalji're-, 'presentativds would; ''stand ,0,1;.' fall' , .byitho following .resolution:— '-'"l'hak wliilo.; there'ia ■Eo; niudh/.ivaste land in : New- Zealand.,(both. Crow'h'"aM'-Native);awaiting settlcmerit,' 1 this/ conferenco.:.considers. it- inadvisable .to :'con-tiriuc-"borrowing'inoTipy_ -in.; thp^foreigni'lliar- , ■■kflt-.' for' tho purchase . of,•'.'•'.'.i>rivato '.;.• estates,: i;while by .the sale of Crown ;>la;nds sufficient :.mqnpy could jbrt.'prop'ured 'for. the -sbttlerceait ;bf.\Crown...and Native lands under the'.Lands if or 'Settlement Aqt:' ''•'■■■:~.X- '• "'.'■.' •■'.'': '•'■•" !■'■.'"■ • ;, ' ?-: ; - •■' '•': .{;,. A motion 'of Mr.: that a Bpecial com-, ■initteb.draft.a recqlutioh during the :> luncheon sdjeiurnrrient," whs-defeated, and the amended .■'resoruti6n;,was'passed by \S. yp'tes,tp!6,'iD. |;-,.;'; A.Petition on Native Lands/' : f-Mr.. a'vioivito'■■ha'viiig'defi-' nite actip'ii taken to.; settle lands, :'pe.tition; ; .ue ; . : presented' "to -Parliament-embodying tho resolution passed .;by v coriferenco;in .regard'.;to.v'theicpening'.of: ISativei.lands, and >that.-tho.Advisory'Comiiiit-■tea,; ,'with •.■power■-to.' ,, add to 'thoir .'niimber, select '■'witnesses'- to- give eyidoiicb. before the Parliamentary' Committed;of • the-House in jrelatipii. to; the petition, to. show the wisdom .'(if;; embody ing tho -.resolution;; in. an.- : ; Act i.of; ■Parliament.'"■-; ■■■■:':y.\ ."..'■'.'.., ■'.':': ,-' ( ;"■',•''"-'".'■ '■' '. ■ J .Mr, Evans and the ;raotion. was, passed.- ' "">'""'.■'''''-','-.'".-' y :--.': : - ; ' ;:■■!■■■■' '.'■.-;■-■ v.f-'j--.:'- ; . ■'■;'■ '"''Ss '.;-!'":':s -i'; ,^-'- ■ $'■'<;■:■■ ;-;/A/^:j3asis;Of ;' Mr.,'-'Ma'xiVeil"(rara'naki). movedl:—"That !',th'e present: s.v^tein..of farmers .upon, so-palled' : ri»inii}rqv,ed;vaJu'4-,of -ii'oiJ\'lio|d-' ling -is .unfair,'' ■ ana? : <ujt i'- : of = - propprtioli ' to'! tho why in':jvhiqh''capital"invcsted'.in other iiidu'stries. is .faxed;■ this; .conferencs, considers, tho present, land /'.tax' should\ be j. abolished, v and that. farmers should pay either-on their, in'cqme: or - ; oji: tho /annual ;valub/.'pf .'tfeir laiid. , ,' , ,' '. ; ; Bell (Auckland) secon'dea?/ , - , '..' '■ '■•Mr. ; Eweh Campbell"thouglit..- it/:advisable .to;try .to-'improve'tho present system,, ratlipr. 'thanvtp'-.sn-eop,- it'.away.'and!--.subßtituto.;,th'e-method '.-.npw.'iP.roiiose'd::'.'."^- , ;^':..'-.^> , ., .'./.'" |./!The;presidentixnressed.the.belief/that the" principle., contained ;in: the :'rn'ption''.':l-iad.not ■been; definitely.: considered' by'-th'e - branches, and should: first referred-"to them, as,was done..witli',an'am.endment i 'of-Mr. Birch on tho.previous; day; -' •"{ -' /'. •;.,' , - :; .', : ■ '.Mr.v'M.'ixwell. , considered'the principle had' ■ ; b^.-.,well:eonsidere^ : .b'y-"tho!-braiidhes;-'-.-His' p_K"ii personal '.opinion was in- favour of taxa>tipn.oiily. on'incomcsyEo that .the 7 farmers could bo treated in tho same- way as other people/-..'..' '..•.''••.'.-:.;■'.;'■.■ '■.•';■.■"■; -. '■ ■'■. ■ .-■ ■ ..;■-. :■ 'The.'mo.tion;.was defeated by -13 votes-t0.7.'

%: v';'■/■/ ;./■//.., vaiuatisns. ./-.■'-:':;.;-' --..-.! -:/Mr. ./Ewon '■ Campbell (Wellington)'..moved, pro, forma :--"Tbat seeing tho Department takes'no nntjee of tlio returns sent in by pivAers under the land tax valuation, but always:.takes .tho valuator's value, the Government be/requested to. discoiitinup reqbiring owners to furnish returns of land values, as;• they.,appear'.tp bo quite yalubiess." , . ; ;. ■ . -Mr. 'Mathosbn (Wollin'gtpn)'. seconded, pro' forma:! ';• ■':". / ■'■■ ~ :: -.-; ■■; .■■....■,■':.,;.-'; .■■•: ■ ■■•.•• 1; /The iniptioii, was carried. ' '.' .'•';■■■ '■' .-.•■; "A; niotinn from; Nelson was moved as .follows:—"That the-Goverrirnenf'.be requestedto .discontinue the... pra'ctica of .-■ appointing land: valuers ■whp'.'are rate collectors fort the Coiuity. Councils; ,011; a percentage/basis;!' :■■ ;'. In discussion:', it was state'dtiat/instances of:-this kind had., already, cecurred in Nelson "province. Tho'motion was carried. .: !,'< "■:

V-; ; " ; "'.; ; '-V :-Fproi2n Timbor. l !'/ i: ! ', ■ :^/ :V Some .discussion arosp .-on , , a '. Soutldand' nibtioh:—''That imported timber should be admitted duty, free,: and that, no, differential ratoshoiild.bo made in the rail , carriage .be-' , tiveen; New Zealand and imported timber!" ■ Several-, speakers/urged that, with .--tho object; of conserving '.'New '-Zealand, the use of-imported wood ought, to be eucouraged rather than hindored. .' .: '■'■■ ,';* Mr. W: C. Birch (Mar'ton) said:, 'that though : ho" wiiß-a shareholder-, in; a, timber company,, he approved of itlie motion, aiid would siipnort it. ; .' , ■■' '•■ . ' '-:. ■; .Other '.speakers'thpught the niotion should be/restricted to timbers of a kind that could not be.obtained in New Zealand.- , 'Mr. Russell (Executive) said.if .the extra freight was duo .to tho greater weight of Australian. timber, hn • could not object, because it was. fair that tho railways should be madoto pay, . , / ; . ' ■■.':■;''.'■'■■:'.<. '!. Mr. Leadley (vice-president), remarked that the .saino differentiation existed- in .regard; '.to 'coal, Yet a -ton ! of- Nowbastle, cpal was 110 heavier than a toil of Greymoutb. ' ..Mr./Evans,,said the first houses, built,an Canterbury were' made of. 'Oregon!-'pirieV-fifty years .ago, and they.,.were. as sound,. to-day, as whentlioy werq built. . '.-. -T . ... .. Mr. Lane (Hawko's Bay) said ibe differentiatioh was a-concession to., arboriculture, which wns a/form. of farming. . •, .. ... Thb motion .was carried. : '"j '■~■■.'■

Taxation Through tho. Customs.: ■ Mr. Dyo (Auckland) moved: '-"'That immediate steps be taken to make the fifth plank of tho platform of our.,union effective, viz,, .-that'-.taxation', through .tJio_ Customs! 'should bo for the purpose of raising revenue, and not ;■ for,!, pro.teetivo — purpo.SESi , .'"; ■Ho said most of"."what- a,, farmer bought had to. pay duty, but when ho : sold ho had to compete ,in the openv; market:■.'. Consequently, one sovereign received for a New Zealand farmer's produce -"/would purchase only 13s. Bd. worth of protected goods. ;. Mr. \Y. C.- Birch (Martou) seconded and warmly supported the motion/-• Ho said tho ■influx of the people to the{towns wns largely.due to our system of taxing the fanners "in order to bring people to the towns, . ■'..: i Goloncl 801 l (Auckland) said farmers: fav- ! ourod protection 'of industries, but not to: 'tiie'oxTOntof 80 to4opw cent,'-'-'

Mr. J. M'thiccn (Southland) described tho protected industries ns. parasites that:, were not worth tho blood 'they sucked out' or ."othe-r animals." • ; \Mc«t speakers declared .themselves I'rcctradcrs. . i' ■•"." ■ ,;■:.'..'.', v-. •' .. ,'. l• : : Tlio president, in reply to"a question, said his idea of a revenue, tari If. would ho.a gen-, era} tariff on all imports lor the benefit of. revenue. But a protective tariff was more discriminating, and in some cases very nigli; Mr. Clothier (Canterbury) asked what must be done wiijii thoso engaged in,tlio protected industries if protection were swept jowav. They were unfitted for farming. Mr. M'Queen (Southland).: Tho retrenched; civil servants are going farming. .; Mr. Russell (treasurer) said it was .absurd to say that work nilist be found for every man at his own t-ipde. He himself- was brought up to no trade, but he worked hard at .log-splitting and such things. Lots ot 'farmers had previously been bootmakers aim workers in other trades. The eonforenco passed tho motion unanimously.. ■■•..-'.. ".. .•■•.•■ .•'. '.. . .',: . Native Minister. • Colonel Bell (Auckland) moved: "That tills conference protest* ,in tho strongest possible manner against a Ministerial position being allotted to a member of tho House . who is not-responsible; to a European, constituency." . .: . i .. -Mr. Maxwell (Taranaki), seconding said -it was never, contemplated that the Maori 'representatives should do moro than represent the Natives in tho House, or. that anj of tliem should hold a portfolio without.first beiV elected'by . a pakeba constituency. . ' M<r. Mathesoa. said it merely.<. indicated ■that tho Native Minister •was.'recognised to havo more intelligence than tho liuropean . members of the Government. . . . ' 'Mr. D. Jones (Canterbury) said a Nativo had charge- of the Public Trust Office. .'< Tho president said there seemed to. be, a. conflict of. statement -between Mr. ..Massey, arid Sir - Joseph. Ward as to whether Mr. Nga-ta bad been mado<a Cabinet Minister. ■;'. Mr. W. C. Birch;"-(Marton) ;eaid,if a Nativo, showed i proper qualifications for a Ministerial position ho knew of no-grounds on which the right to'• appointment could, fairly be .denied him. ■ .-..;.. ■ ■.-'.; ' . ■ ; Mr. J. M'Queeiv■(SoutUaiid). suggested the. withdrawal o f. tho the ground that, it was -scarcely . a' question'.'that' cbncirned .the Farmers' TJuion—unless- it were contended that .'in'the.absencp'of.^V'? llll ?. ll '' thb,,union was in-charge: ■'•/"'.- '■. ■■; -.'.-■ , The L motion ■ was passed.;' ;■;; v; : u ':■'■'■:■'j.r

! ;.:;; ; ;: ; j? \jo+ ■■ -.yti f; .-Mr. R..Evaiis.(Canterl)ury) moved: •'•' That 1 ' ,this'conference, : representing the' farmers.'of.'! ■New Zealand, recognising "the importancoi of; ;;Bntain ■niain-tainiiig 'her.iiaval.supreniacyiin; r.o'rdcr to. keep-open her trade.•■rpute:andien--isure ■tho safety',.of-' pur. J sea-bb.rnp;,coiumerc«, I s hereby expresses l 'its, hearty.' approval;' of.; tlio '-offer -of, assistarioe i!oi'thß',Hc.mo;,Gov;cronieriti" ,',Hp : said 'that CanterbuiT/recOgnised.th'at-tliougli. tbo .offer migHt,' pprhapi,- not" i.hav.o, .been ! madc : in; the'.right^way/'iitj'was- right filing done, at'.'iJio : right, irionieht.' v^ , ; {:..>:•>[.■ : , iMr; 'LeadloyXCE-ntcrbuTyJVsecbhdod.-.-' , .'.■ if. ■ Colonel Bell (Auckland) said some of those', -who v.-ero now clamouring 'that, they were not cori-sultod 'about'.the-offer in, the small qupruin which .slept when the!last. Estimates...wero before. Parliament. The olrer had done good., . . : Mr.,"MatHesoV- (Wellingtori): agreed ! with j the wisdom of the Executive having the cour-, age to .act in. time.of. emergency,;but 'in the Dreadnought incident it-' 1 seemed '.that, the; 1-E.Wu'tiyo: <h'ad : - : p.ot kept its head, in tho, sound of 'beating-' drum 5...,...'.' ,:.._- ■.''■.; ,' ; ' Mr.-, Lane : (Hawk-e'n' : Bayj'/.'wlio aclmittcd '.th!jt-;his views wero not supported by '.the i union' in his prpyince, but declared himself a- ' Briton' and the Son/of r. Bfitish' iyeoman, moved the.following; amendment:'— "That,..in, the opinion of this' coiiference;of f'Nevir'.- Z«a-' Jah'd farmers, ; a nayal' policy-based oil. what peoploj;hink of'us.is ofi:n6. ; defence'purposes; that the.offer pf.milliqßslof.nioriey. to .Britain''.to buijd;.warshins ! was an error of judgment—-pernicioiis-rrill-timecl —unctatesmanlikc—and iAnd,> that; •■ ;this .'■; conference".Government that ■ there . ; shall not be one,: penny., raised :taxatidn of any ' kind iifbr.Jnav.al ,• purposes; which lis'-.-iiot, devot«l to;ttainiiig;;o.ur,..awn■•j'outji as sailors ofitho Empire.". ' , , Tho 'motion, was.' receivea '.'Mt?&.'in -a hopeless .cause, , /.:said.;sj(r.VLan6,; [■'■'"'tliat'. I' shine". ■ I-!despise the, beastly; B'ta.tc; of bliio funk; : that Britain.and New, Zealand; got into"." ■•'■: ."' : ' [<■ "' .' ■ ':'] ''-''■ ■ Mr..;Lea'dley (ironically.).'; ;.You addedithat ;" it failed." to! show an adequate appreciation'' of the" exigencies of 'the situatiori^.'/'-;.■■■■-.>'• '.-■-..■■ -■•'.•'.■:-■;■-■■,• :■-■ : - '. /.' ..V : ; '..■.•'■.' , " , Mr'.! Lano proceeded I ,at iCon.sjderablo..length to emphasise tlie';'Vp6fiit's.^f.;his' : .-niptioriv'.and ; .pictured Sir Josejih" • Ward,. after a triumphal j ton fiat Homo, being-. Beatified,',in Rome..V;;'...' t.-l.His - fellow delegate ;-<; .frbm' :Hawke-s 'Bay :'said ho was Lane had explained .that his views wore not,'those of the Hawkofs ■Bay' farmers. Hediad pleasure in supporting ;thp original motion. •>?'.'., \ , '-.;.' .' : ' .'; : ;'Other 6p'eeches ! ''V;arm)j'4.apprpved tlfe^offer,, .biit in;a number ofjeases with re.servations'as , toHlie-jinconstitutional modo'bf makingvit. ■;, ■-. -;T'he [original motion was-carried, witli'Mr. .Lanoas the only■;dissentient..; ;; ""''',',;. ;■;..(

: /: V The afternoon was; : s^eht ■':' iii ll -.' committee,' where'a lengthy discrissipri.took'place, as to the'means whicii;'!shpuidrbe;;adppted ; '-by tlio, union- to counteract ,thC" Socialistic: tendency, of the day; A;.discussion; ;alsp';.;.took .placo; bii tho, political , attitude of-the.union, and it ivas agreed that'.icoiitiriiied.-'effort- should, bo, made, to secure' the return', of candidates to, support the .platform of tho: union.,., .;.- / .When the opeirconfereiice-reassembled for the evening sitting, the'-president read.4he -following, cablegram ,from..Tasmania:r-"Prc--piderft .farmers',', CorifereuceV, : -Wellingtoh.— Thsmanian Farmers' i ;Oonfefenc<> v '.wjsh Dp-; minion Conference ' Euccess.-rLegge,'; Presi--dsnt.""' The reading of the .cablegram' was received with applause. ; The president; was authorised to send back; the 'following reply : ~" Legge, President); ; F.iriners!...Coiifer-v once, Latrpbg, Taßmania.—Dominion•';' Conference, sitting. reciprocates ; good wishes.— Wilson, President."."•-. ;,..,- ... ■■• .'.- : :

■ Military Training. V :'N ; ?. A motion from Taraiiaki— 'j Thitt' this con- : ference is in favour of more, encouragement being given to rifle clubhand volunteers, 'as. proposed by the. Premier "—was defeated.! .■.-'•! ; Mr.' Middleton (Southland) moved:—"That it is necessary 'aqd "desirable'that a '.system' of "universal military.'training should be ■enforced ■ throughout th%.whole of....the Dominion." ■■ '■'•■ "■'■'■'i"--S:.'^ ! 'j:!:-\''''-'Y'' : '■■'■'■'■'■•■'.-' .Colonel Beli seconded, 'and Said lip. was glad to see the ohango that had'come * over the- country, and also over the.Prime Minister,, and he t believed' Sir Joseph-.Ward would; now be'ready to propose, universal training and would find>tho. House ready to support it. It had been said that m'any of our yoiing_ men were excellent. : marksmen,, .and would give"a"goo"3'accbiin't of themselves against any- enemy.''. 'But' that was a .fallacy. They would bo almost valueless because they could not be manoeuvred,- and if war came to. New Zealand there would result one':;of the greatest butchers' shops tho world had ever scon. ;:We now had 20,000 volunteers and oadets--on pnper—but .out of th»t number they rarely saw nioro than ;7000,. and even those ..were, to a "large l extent untrained and useless for defensive purposes/ :,, Colonel Ohaytor , (Marlborough) said" that of the 20j000 volunteers to many. been in tho. service for a great number of years.. Consequently 'there were much fewer trained men in New Zealand than there would be if 6000 new men were addedV •every year for three years' training ; under such a system as that now -'proposed." ••:■•. Mr. M'Queon, Lane, and Mr. Mathe- | son favoured tb.eMuclns.ipn. of the : words- "or naval." ' . • ■ y-'.' ■. ; ' ..■-.'-. - : '■ ,■'■■'■' : \ ■ : Mr. Maxwell .(Taranaki)-/said,-naval training involved a greater eitrangemout.from-I civil occupation, than military training, and would fncrcas'e the :difficulty, of getting- the movement adopted, ■■■ The motion was'carried 'urianihibUslyV ''''. Flax Taxation.

... Mr. M'Qiinen' (Southland) moved: "That where flax is.- being L cult ivatcd, the valuation for taxation should treat such cultivation in ,tho same manner that land imder cereals, grasses, or fodder of any kind is treated.". Major Chaytor (Marlborougb) stated that flax was now , '.distinctly* exempted under, the Land and Income Assessment Act'. 1807/ and tbemo'tion'waS accordingly , withdrawn. -

Colonel Bell srtid that aa recently as six weeks airn-'liG ,)iad a conversation With a valuer, who said flax'was still taxed. Mr. Kwcji Campbell (Wangiuiui) naul m also believed valuers ivoru still including tho ■ growing :,flax in their valuation!). . ColdiiL'i'Hell thereupon '' decided not to withdraw an Auckland . remit on tho subject,.and moved: "That "this conference briiif; under the iiotice of Urn Government the injustice dorio by imposing taxation on growing flax. (Note;— Flax should bo considered in tho light of a crop equally with cereals, grasses, etc.)" , • : The motion was carried. .

': '. , , 'contract System. Mr. Dye (Auckland) moved: "That in tho. opinion of tin's .conference tho time , has arrived when the contract fi,ysto«! for public works should ho reverted to as being more satisfactory than tho present system of co-oporative-workD." Ho stated, that it. was estimated that the present co-opcratiyo b,vb-= tern of building lailwiiys cost about' 4o per cent, .moro than .uiidor tlip, old .contract .system. * '" ' " •' ■ '" Mr. Lane said contractors stated that they could have tonstructed . tho £80,000 railway a'f Gisborrie 'for £'10,000. Now'" Zealand should borrow £10,000,000 and finish all tho urgently-needed railways., . i-, ...-.■■- ■■'■-. Sir. Ewcu Campbell said the co-operative groups wero really technical schools educating■;incompetent, people. • (Laughter.)' Imag-' ino tho enormous advantage done 1o tho country by teaching tho largo number of incompetents engaged for about eight 'years in'learning how to. construct a Makohiuo viaduct! ,v...-.': ' /■■••;■.■;■-. ~•. ■ v--; ; ■i Tho; motion was carried.:..,.:. .._■... .. : .'

'■ ' ..-,,-.'■ Hallways.-; , , . , ; . .■ ■;';','"' Mr. J. W.; Jones (Taranaki) moved:—. "That tho conference considers that \ tho .principle of running .railways, in tho Domin-, ion..should bo .to -mako'(them pay working expenses and interest on. cost." . ; .-•■ Miv Maxwell seconded, and said' proposed; lines which would pay,.handsomely were un-, touched, because<tho existing, lilies were not , 'mado' to pay. ■•:.•"'■■' " •' ; , , Mr. D. Jo;ics (Canterbury) moved an amendment: "That this conference views with groat satisfaction the statement of the present. Minister that ho-intends to, make the rail- ' waye pay ivorkihg expouscs arid interest on tho cost.";; "j'Z ■',•:, >;;. =■; -, : . -..'.';.';'' ' •; ■•':'•'■ i ■,■-.,. Mr.'.Clotliier '(Canterbury) seconded.- , ;'; ■.'•: • :; Mr. M'QUecn,' supporting, .referred to tho .Hori'/ Mr.'.:Millar's;.-..'.'honest ■- ■; attempt , . , , to. remedy ; mattors'.' ' '.' . :, ,'.' '■' , ■.j-JMri'iLoadleyi (vice-president) .askedfjf tho : :'m6v6r' : of.'the'motion intended that all concessions should bo ivitlidrawri—tho free car■riage -'o(vlinie,,rebates' 'on' stock-to .agricultural shows, arid concessions oh manures, for !example^'■.". :-,■ ■'-.'.'••!'• v '-■•'■ ':.'■''.■?■' '-:■■■'■ '■';!.'•'" ■.'-.•■'.■..,'■',■.'' •' '' 'Mr.' Eweri Campbdll, said ..tho question-of ■ ■whether flie.railways 1 paid';depended:not, only; •on a -finance, credit';' hut:oii;' whether': 1 they Were 'assisting 1 to' develop,; the. , country. ,;; '■&<. .ppyernmont railwhy/.belonging"to'thp,people;' iyasvliko'fui. ordinary- public iV road. ",'l.f. , they 'weiitr'to the ■G6ye_r'nmpnf;Ayitli-a" bold Tequest toy malcb : ■ tho : railways -'pay '.tlie'yj'coula': , no" doubt - do; so, • b'ut -out'of - tho; pockets of the farmers,' especially ■ those most roniotp -from tho: chief centres.: ' v '.-, ■'■• ".■'■>■" ''; ; ' ; ■"■ • ■;' V; '; The :presiderit,'said wool was -the best paj , - ■irig '■■■.thiiig the ;r.-jlways J carried:' it:cost-more to send, wool than.' an}'! other/produce. .'lt was nbt'necessary-'that therb''; should-'bo', increase ,of! freights,;' but • there -was . room for. 'economies in altering the) running of frequent large biit -ill-filled •'.passenger.trains;'-,as ho ihad.seori many times, on some lines.,;, .!■ j.., , ' 'Mr:' J; C. Cpoper.isaid tho ..NeW-Zoaland -railwkys'could never pay.'for many 'years, ■because- they, had.- cost top ■ much ..to'.-build. The.railways pf. New .South .Wales paid,' but. they ■wero , properly; handled- from, tlio '.start; Tho 'man -who could- mako railways pay was not the.Minister in charge','-''but tho,man who had-- the of the./tnoiiey' needed .'for ;thcir,.v construction and-.'its.'iSfibndi.rig. '. ■ Ho, ''tlicrefo.re,".-opposed' b'p.th the. 'amendment. .They : c;6u'ld^apprecjaie? :; Mr. ; Mil-' lar's'gobd j,' ,-.: .■.,:.Mr; l train mile in Ne.W.Zpalau.d. ; ii : ere;2r.oater.than' 'in any other ■■'cblbny/jb'ufe.tne'vnet/'recoipts ' : woTp'.'lcSs.-' He, therefore,' 'did Vibt"agree with ,jVljr,!, C.qppcr rail,\jays, ; .madp.;.t6,."p(iy. '■'' ■ ,:\\ '/.Mr, Mstlieson (Eljetaliuha)i siippprted !tho 'amendment; and said he would not'-'grunjible .at/an increase, of rates. ,-i : ■••^i. , :, j| .-■ The' amendment' was carried by 12 votes ■tp : six.,c;. -~p 'jl- '^y--'': .<:'■■-: \ : ' ■: '/"?; BiUtoryaris:and Stock Trucks. ■~;.'; Bell ■'.■(Auckland) mbyed , :—''That tho'HaiTway Departnibnt endeavour to aidHho dairy., farmers: arid , : :butter factories j in;; their efforts to.' attain \ iy a higher .standard., iri daii7 ; by providing, as far as .possible, :proper..insulated,-;vans.' fori'tlie' ti'ansit of butter,' , cheose, c'ream;'",';.' ; - ;, , ,: Tlio; ~'Xi, ; ';;'j-j- v-y..-'■ ,' -Mi'/'J.-Wi Jones (Ta'ranaki) ; . 1 moved:7f-"That in' view of tho seriousMpssV.aiitlVincon.'vemeiico caused, to settlers'owi'iigV.td shortagoVof;.trucks to: tako away, fat stocky.'thoßaiiivay jDepart-; ment be! urged ;ti : p'royjdojhiproycd':ifabilities :befprp'.nexfc season.": , ;'';'■'•'>'•■ :■ "^ : '.:y - ; i";'.'■'-.';,■''■'.■" .-■■!• iMrli Maxwell '.seconded; '. :. -- \! /'C;. , 'v : ; . ■ It -iVas stated, ; that largo •nurnbers-'of- new trucks' 'would, \b9\roady for .next.seaspn, ;'• ■', '■'.' The -motion : waslCarried. ' ",..';■' ■ : ->' X- ';;,': MrV Middle'toii-f ■'.(Southland),■ proposed: "That the Railway -bo- requested to-:soe that all; sheep truck's'.,.aro: supplied ■inth;grating■battens/.as-sheep wouldibe carried, ,with -.more:,.cleanliness,m and.-.in.* a" much better marketable- condition," :': ;■',' ':':<■■:■:■<,'■ < Mr.'.Richards J (Le'vm)• said ; a very important matter was tho; need of ;en(l-lbadiijg ;truck's, so that a whole;',trainload; ; of- sheepVcoulu h- loaded, thro ugh one: truck.' The old' Manawa'tii trucks oiieried' at, tho ends, and tho settlers' now' : feltVthjo"' .difference; seriously./;..: MrVClothier (Canterbury) said.tho battens saved 'frbni;9d. ,tq-|l.s.";per ; head : ;in,tho valup 'of the.-sheep. \f;£i\ : '■ I r'>'' ; ;:•..•: - ~ Tho motion was. passed;- '■'.'■ ■ ■ ;■'.; ■'•.■Mr':-;;M , ,Queen^USoutlildrta) i empty "grainy trucks, should : in all cases.'bo consigned; to-the ; persons .ordering them for flag stations'.".' ~; ■;■.•■. i.'' , . :,i '' i ,;•. -.';'. , - Mr.' Jones". (Taranaki) seconded. ... .';. ,':. It'-.was, stated that'this., was-done.'in, Can-. 'terbiiry,*':bui refused iii Southland and' Taranaki. .•■;■ ■'"-■■■ '. ■ -.''.■■■. '■■.-■ '; ;..."'; ■; -. The. motion -was .carried. -V , - ',;■ ' ;.'V Mr. Middleton (Southland) mover]:' "That ,tho Railway- ■Departm.aut:,-bev requested'. in, all 'cases to. supply'; a.'.dupjicato; certificate to,; the consignor bf ; :; the;;,weighty,Jbf^;grain when weighed.";;.i!, : .'p;A> ;^'i": : J '.MlV :^r ; ~ ;' ! ' v ' v ' .'■■' '' ~ .Mr. M'Queeli.';seconded,' 'and.'the Was -carriediviv^;^;;,;;'^ , -.;.- '■;. j ■;":'.;; ' ';;: Officers Elopted. - - '■• ''^'^■i, : [ '•The following officers«were elected:—President, Mr. J; R.. Wilson- (Bulls); .vice-presi-dent, Mr. G; (Wakanui);- -Ad-; visory Coirimittc'eV--,XMessrs.'' J.i C/ -Cobper' (Tane), W.. C. 1 Birch.(Marton), D. M'Grcgor,, jun. (Masterton),' and'H. J. Richards' (LeVin); treasurer,. Mr. Russell. ■; ;■. ..,';-; ;