FARMERS AND POLITICS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1089, 30 March 1911, Page 6

FARMERS AND POLITICS.

— ♦ '• roLicr OUTLINED.(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Christchu'rch, March 29. The following is the policy of Hie Farmers' Political Protection Federation :— (1) To further the acceptance of the Farmers' Union platform amongst the electors of ttie Dominion, especially 'the right of Crown tenants to convert their holding into freehold the. original value (plus one per cent, capitalised); Native lands to.be placed on same footing as European lauds; the maintenance of the ■ present franchise for counties, road boards, and ' other rural local bodies; to resist any increase in protective duties. (2)-That to encourage rapid close settlement a landowner (other than an absentee) who places boiia-fide settlers on his land, snbject to limitation of areas as prescribed in the Lands for Settlement Act, be relieved from graduated taxation in respect to the particular area so dealt with. '3) That in order to encourage production and the employment of iabour the i amount of money expended in wages by' a farmer in any one year shall be dc-' ducted from that year's taxable value of the farm on which such money for wages has been spent. (i) That in order to chock the increase of .the public indebtedness cv«ry facility be given for the investment within the Dominion- of the capital of its citizens by allowing'them to assist in the development of the natural resources of, fho Dominion, e.g., in the construction of branch railways to act as feeders to the main system, tho utilisation of waterpower, etc. (5) That the differential rates on imported hardwood timber and coal bo abolished. (6) That the construction of all public, works should bo by contract, such contracts to bo let by tender, encouragement being given to small contractors. (7) To combat any legislation of a Socialistic nature; to place before tho electors the dangers of accepting legislation of a Socialistic or rrenal character, as defined by the terms "tho nationalisation of the means of production, distribution, and exchange." (8) To secure the return of members who are .in accord with the policy of the Farmers' Political Protection Federation. Rule I.—The name shall be "The Farmers' Political Protection Federation." Rule 2.—No member or employee of tho executive shall contest a Parliamentary election.