A FARMER'S PARTY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1192, 29 July 1911, Page 7

A FARMER'S PARTY.

POLITICAL PROTECTION FEDERATION. ITS OBJECTS SET OUT. Under tho heading of "Parliamentary" several remits .were placed on tho , order paper for the Fanners' Union Conference yesterday. These were all considered in committee, but the result 0? tho delibera-

tions of the conference was the formation of a Farmers' Political Protection Association,, of which the following particulars were given to tho press:— (1) That this conference approves of tho formation of the Farmers' Political Protection Federation.

(2) Tho objects of the federation to be the return of Parliamentary candidates to support the .platform of the Fanners' Union, irrespective of other political views.

(3) That all candidates shall therefore be asked to state clearly, in writing (or from the publio platform), their views on the Farmers' Union platform, and how far they are prepared to support it. .. (i) That candidates who shall be deemed to have made tho most satisfactory statements, or pledges should' have tho support of all',meihbors".ot the union, irrespective of other political.parties;' "' (5) That, in-, ofder ,to ■iarry.".:pnt.." the foregoing resolution,' , -me proviheiar'executives may instruct the branches of tho 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.

(6) In case of two or more candidates being equally satisfactory, members should be free to vote as they think fit. The following are the questions relating to the platform which candidates are requested to reply to:— That Crown tenants have the option of purchasing the freehold of their lease at the original value, provided that, in the case of l.i.p. tenants the addition of one per cent, capitalised* if he has paid only four per cent, rent, and in the case of the renewable leases at the capital value at tho time of purchase, less the lessee's interest on the lease, to be decided by arbitration; the optional tenure in the 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 increase of taxation by way of land tax or protective duty be imposed. (i) That the construction of public works should be by. contract, to be let bv tender. - (a) That legislation of a penal or Socialistic character, tending to monopolize to the State the means of production, distribution, and exchange, shall bo etrenuously resisted.