FARMERS IN COUNCIL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1452, 29 May 1912, Page 8

FARMERS IN COUNCIL.

4 . PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE OPENEDA SUCCESSFUL SEASON' REVIEWED. ' . .SIXGLE TAX DISCUSSED. r. ~~ (From Our Spocyil Reporter.). Palmerston N., May 28. The annual Provincial Conference of the Wellington Farmers' Union opened at the Oddfellows' Hall,. Falirierstou North, today, Mr. J. G. Wilson (president) in the chair). The Delenates. The members present were:—Vice-presi-dent, Mr.-11. A. Kevins (Tinui:); treasurer, Mr. W. J. Birch (Marton);.executive, Messrs. Alex Howie (Waverlejv, ItBooth (Feilding), Captain Hewitt (Pa nierston North), 1\ Hockly (Hunterville), K. W. Dalrymple (Bulls), T. Moss (Eketahuna), Jno. Morrison (Halcorabe), •»».' B. Mntheson (Eketahuna); provincial secvetary, Mr. W. Hunter; -delegates, Mfs.vs. E. E. Fletcher (Wangamii), E. •/, (Marton), 8. Haigh (Mangawekft), A. u. Si'.mpson (Hunterville),.'C. Selby (toilding),'A. Conway (Cheltenham), 1. Masters (Sainton), L. E. Brvant (Fitzherbert), .T-. AVingato (Longburn), 1 R. B. ai*lvcnzie (Carnarvon). D. Iloinc (Komako). L. l.n\\ (Shannon), il. .T. Hicli.irds (Levin), H. R. Elder (Waikanae), M. .T. Lynch (I'ackakariki), I). Hcbeutoh (Masrterton), J. Ci. 0. Wales (Eketahuna), W. f J. Moore (Makuri), .1. B. Tait (Ballance), .T. S. Cavcrhill (Mangoihe), E. .Johnston Smith (>ifianiataponri), 11. J. Barton (WhakatabO, J. D. Ramsden (Kumcroa), A. I'orsbenj (Jlauriceville)., Apologies were received from C. G; Haiighton (Marton), J. C. Cooper (Masterton), E. W. Peiiibertnn (Rangiwahia), 0. M'Elroy (Halcombe).

The President's Address. "I am glad," said. Mr. J. G. Wilson, president- of the conference, in the course of his opening address, "to be able to congratulate the fanners of the Wellington/ province on the past season. It. has Wen one of plenty in mSre ways than one. We have practically had no summer, and as a result tho autumn has been prolonged, and where there was scarcely a bite of'grass-last year there' is plenty of grass everywhere to coj'ry the stocks—especially cattlWthrough .-thewinter well. Last seasbn. owing to the dry autumn the lainbing was not up to the average, but I think we may look forward lo a higher percentage in the coming spring.- All sections of farmers have benefited by the good season. Tho dairy farmer has had a .record season for quantity of milk and length of lactation period, as well as tor prices. New markets for butter have been opened up, and an appreciable amount has been diverted by buj'crs to 'Vancouver,'where high prices have ruled, and .paid well despite the duty. Cheese .has never been so high, and is .causing much unrest in dairy circles as to whether tlie .companies will not either have dual plants or change entirely to cheese. There is still an unsatisfied demand'for good cows, and it is extremely pleasing to see that dairy farmers are more and more impressed with the fact that it is wise to buy better-bred cows than they havehitherto (lone. Purebred dairy stock have been eagerly bought- up at good prices, and this must tell in the output as tune goes on. There is a likelihood of cons-idoi* able expansion in dairying in tho province, as much'land of the besf-quality' is being put upon the market,' and.new factories I and creameries ta-.be built to cope with the increased supply. "The agricultural farmer, too, has done well. Though the harvest was late, the vields in most instances have been nign. I 'We are, however, still not growing sum-1 cient oats for our own consumption, and considerable quantities are being imported from the South Island, farmers generally in tho agricultural districts preferring to cut their oats for,chaff. The.price of oats has been kept up by a demand from Australia, so that the large - crops m the South Island have found an outlet, and so kept up i the price here. There is still a large quantity of chaff to be cut, but There seems a'fair demand and / pnces have recently been slightly onliJiuceil. scorns to be no reason to think that t.it

market is overstocked. "Slieapfarmers have also had good season, a fair clip, and fair prtces, although'in neither case have they reached those of last year. Stock has kept well up in price, though again it scarcely so high as last season. '• The' Wellington province lias inado great strides as far as the lamb trade is concerned. Lamb fattening has been most successfully conducted in many districts where previously it was considered impossible, _ a considerably larger percentage of milk-lambs having been exported. One of the most gratifying features of this trade is that, despite the soritnis striko at Home, prices have risen, showing that the demand is mcieasing, and is not dependent upon t'class alt'ected by the strike, and this despite the fact, that the Argentine has placed in London a larger quantity of lambs than hitherto. The drought in Australia will possibly affect the export of lambs next season, and wc may expect prices to continue at a remunerative level. The number exported, however, owing to the lower percentage, has decrease;!; It is | especially gratifying that the young farmers, who have moro or 1c53 replaced the older generation, have shown such enterprise in this trade that it has undoubtedly affected the v.ilue'of suitable land. ' "The season for grass-seed has not been altogether satisfactory, but fair yields have resulted. The harvest was much delayed bv the weather. The same causes have been at work to delay the burning of the felled bush in this province. There is not a gre.it aipn of bush down, out in tlie districts contiguous to the Alain Tfunk line there are large areas felled which have not been burnt, and the demand for grass-'eed which ,wns expected troni there has not eventuated, hence prices are easier. Possibly some of the season s seed will be carried over to the next. Lar-tle have kept up ill price owing to the demand for stock to eat the surplus grass, although breeding cows, other than dairy stock, seem to be diminishing, ho far there have been enough' bullocks offered, even at high prices, to go into the fattetiing paddocks. The ar«3- dovoted to inttenine cattle is, houever, being muclj restricted, as these lands are being devoted to dairying, so that the supply ot tat stock is likely to decrease, and prices tc rise in consequence. "As was to be expected with such a high level of prices, the value cf all kinds of land has risen, and those properties which have been put- upon the market have realised prices which a few years ago were unheard of, nil have found read} sale to substantial buyers. IA number of other copscs touched on by Mr. Wilson will be found in other parts of this issue.] The Land Act. ' Air W. H. Moore, Jtakuri, moved that clauses '2 11. and S of the union s platform be reaffirmed. These clauses read as follow.— ' , _ . , •' - '{'hat when rural Crown lands aic thrown open for settlement, thermovisions of the Land Act should be carried out, 'sc that selectors, may have a choice ol tenlire. as piovided for, viz., purchase lot cash, 10-ase with option of purchase, lease in perpetuity. . , 3. That all holders of laud in lease in perpetuity, or perpetual lease, or sinal. r> razing runs, have the right to piirchasi - the-"freehold at any lime after the improvement conditions have been com plied with, either by immediate cash payment or payment extending over all indefinite time, reduction of rent to- bo mailt in proportion to such payments. No transfer to he registered unless such translei ha? attached a declaration by the pw : chaser in terms o!' the Land Act and Lanu for Settlement Act. 18. Tha't Cvoivn tenants on the lease lr perpetuity tenure have the right to acquire the freehold of their holding oi payment, by the lessee, of the origina value, and the payment of the difl'erenci bet ween the -1 per cent, now charged oi the lease in perpetuity and the "> per cent ch-ir»cd to tenants with right to purcha-e The chairman and Captain Hewitt re cognised the necessity of reaffirming Hit union's rules occasionally. It brougn l the principles oE the.union before tm members more clearly. The meeting va; indebted to M?, Hooce for hagnj brousW

the matter up. As regards the matter of new ideas being brought into the conlerenco by the new members, the chairman said it reminded him of a remark lie had heard passed a while back, and that was there must be some endeavour to teach voung people' a proper system of government. Nearly (ill young men growing up were rather burdened with Socialism, and nobody was taking any >teps to combat it. This was a serious point that had to bo attended to. . In Favour of the Freehold. Considerable discussion took place on (he question of freehold v. leasehold. All the speakers were in favour of the freehold. 'I'll progress of other couii.tips under the freehold was quoted >n illustration of this benefit nf the system. Under the leasehold a farmer endeavoured to "et'as much from his land as possible, while under the freehold it was his object to improve land. 'Under the freehold 'tenure the value of the land increased year by vear., As long as a man was a freeholder he would fight for the land, while if .he was a leaseholder he was a slave to it. The motion by Mr. Moore was carried. ■ , . Limitation of Area.

Mr. Moore also moved that all purchases of land shall carry limitation of area This he thought ifarmers ought to fight, for. Whpt they wanted was population for the country. He was also ill .favour of village sections. These sections should form the stepping-stones for (lie poor man to become a prosperous farmer in" this country. Ho was sorry that they were not receiving attention, Mr. F. Hockly considered that before the were limited tVie lands should be classified. Why should a man have say, one hundred acres of first-class land and another have to put up with poor land, and expect to derive tlie same benefits from it? He moved as' an amendment, "That the conference is in favour of the limitation of area, but before this could be given effect to fhe lands of the Dominion should be carefully and practically 'classified." ' Mr. A. Barbn supporter! Mr. ITockly s amendment, as far as the classification was concerned. There was one thing that should be considered, however, when limitation of area was being dealt with. ./He referred to areas of land in the baclccounf.ry that were utterly useless for any purpose. Where the railway ran .then limitation would be a good thing, but in these back-blocks the system would be of no use.- ; Mr. A. nowie seconded the amendment, which was carried.

Local Government Bill. The chairman reported (o (his conference on the result of the Local Government Bill Conference. Mr. F. Hockly moved, and Mr. A. Howie seconded:—"That this conference regards with satisfaction the result or the recent conference in Wellington upon the proposed nev r Low! Gbyernment Bill, the proposals in the Bill being in no way calculated to improve the condition ot local government throughout the country. This conference is of opinion that good would result from a reduction in the number of local bodies, and the consequent saving in the cost of administration, but strongly protests against any attempt to lower the present county franchiso, and confidently expects that the Dominion Executive will-carefully scrutinise the provisions of any new'Bill that-may.bo brought forward. Also that the Dominion Tixeciitive send out circulars to all branches of tho union, drawing their attention to Hie danger of tho county tranchise being enlarged, so that they may urge their representative in larliament to oppose any such change." The motion was carried. Land Board. Mr. C. Selbv moved-.-"That all land boards consist of five members-two to bo elected by the Crown tenants, the Go\ emmen t to appoint two, and the Commissioner of Crown-Lands in each district to be the chairman." Mr. Moore seconded the motion, which was carried.

The Customs Tariff. A tariff remit was brought under notice bv Mr. Birch, who moved: rhat the executive be instructed to carol Eu [ ly anv movement wuioh is hkelj to obtain " s increase of duties on; articles renuired bv the community. and to protest against any s««j» 1 ncrease. should it bo ursjed by interested partes. Mr. Conway seconded, and the motion '•was carried.

Railway Matters. On the motion of Mr. Wingate, seconded bv 111". Caverhili, tie Railway Department is 'to be requested to provide speedier transit for trains carrying. hvo stock. Mr "Wingnte also moved: That the attention of the Department bo called to the great loss sustained by the farmers through the shortage of trucks for conveyance of stock on the railways. Car"jlr Dalrymple moved, and Mr. Birch seconded: "That the Government bo urged, to remove the preferential rate on h-aid-wdod timber and imported coal on the New; .Zealand railways. -Carried. Conciliation and Arbitration Act. | A motion by ilr. Kevins, seconded by Mr. Matheson, that any amendment re- • p&aling Section 19 of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act and thereby abolishing the right of appeal to the Supreme Court, "be strenuously opposed, was carried. Railage on Manure. Mr J Higgie moved "that, taking into consideration the amount of manurei required for top-dressing pastures, the Government bo requested to reduce the railway freight on the samo to 6s. per. ton. on lots of six tons or over, for a distance of 150 miles, and over 150 miles, the mileage to be charged pro rata. Mr. Morrison seconded and the motion was carried.

Farmers' Accident Insurance, a ■ The Farmers' Accident Insurance remit was brought forward by Mr..E. Low. Ho moved: "Tint as the Farmers Mutual . Fire Insurance has been so successful we think the time has arrived to s.art an accident branch covering lwf.h the farmers and lv.s employees." Mr. J. G. C. Wales seconded the motion. - . As an amendment Mr. Moss moved that the question be referred to the Dominion Executive. • The amendment was carried. Weight of Manure Bags, Mr. .T. Higgie lhoved and Mr. -T. Morrison seconded a motion that all manure be placed in bags of not more than 1401b. weight, the bags to be .made with four lugs, one lug at each corner, for the convenience of tho waterside -workers handling the same. No hooks to be used m hnndling. This was carried. This -matter will also be referred to the Dominion Executive and the Chamber of Commerce, Wellington. Single Tax. The single tare remit next came up for discussion. Mr. E. J. AVilde moved that the union take steps to_ organise a strong opposition to the single tax proposals noff being urged throughout the country. • Mr lOwen Campbell seconded the motion. and stated that he understood tho object of the tax was chiefly Jo do away with the' Customs: duties and place all taxes on the land. , Mr. Barton, considered that the towns as well as the countries would be in opposition to tho tax. , Mr. Mntheson thought that there should bo a dual tax oil income and accumulated wealth, and moved as an amendment that the conference recommend the bronchos to consider tho auwsabmty ol advocating taxation first on income, nnu then on accumulated wealth as an alteinativo to the proposals of single taxers. Mr. Barton seconded the motion pro f °Mr a 'n). Hebenton (Maslerton) congratulated Mr. Mathcson on his well-thought-out'speech. The speaker believed here was a state in America that followed the svstem of taxation on income and made an allowance for the number of children. It -eemed a democratic proposition. Mr. .las, ITipgie Wnnganui) said they should certainly oppose-the single-fa.wr.f. i -and another delegate pointed out. that if i tho mm KM directly, .tassa .tM.

I first thing lie would do would be to striko for higher wages. Mr. 1". llockly niunterville) said ho doubted whether Mr. Matheson's amendnieut was in form, lie thought that a inx on accumulated wealth was enly anolher name for a property tax. He was opposed to class taxation. Mr. Moore said he thought Mr. Matheson's amendment should lio withdrawn. They should not pffe tho Government any further hints. I Laughter.!

Captain Hewitt supported a Customs diltv on luxuries, but not on the necessities' of life, lie did not, however, mean tlie necessities that were so regarded nowadays. He did not think that single tax ought to be considered bv the-conference, except lo oppa.-o it tooth and nail. Mr. Kwon Campbell (Wanganui) said the people should be educated in the matter of protective duties. The Government since ISII2 had done it.s best to get some equitable means of valuing the land, ami the best it had been able to get, though far from tho most desirable, was on the selling value. Mr. Matheson, in reply to a question n« lo whether he would abolish all other, taxes than those which lie had proposed, slid ho would not immediately do so. < iiut would work steadily towards the end he had outlined. , The amendment was lost by an overwhelming majority, and the remit was adopted. Stallions Registration Bill. Air W. .T. Birch (Marton) moved that as the Stallion Bill, agreed to by both the Provincial and Dominion Conferences, also bv the A. and P. Societies' Conference, and which w'as strongly recommended bv the Veterinary Department, has not vet been brought before Parliament, tho conference expresses its intense disappointment that a matter of so great, importance to the country should ha -1 , e been absolutely neglected by the Government through two sessions of Parliament. This was carried. Noxious Weeds. Mr. Caverhill (Wainiarino) .. moved that as noxious weeds are spreading very rapidly, ami the inspectors sc-em powerless to copo with them, the law lie maclu more stringent. . . . The chairman stated the opinion of an authority that California!! thistle could bo made a food for stock. On agricultural land the thistle might be a serious matter, but on grazing land it was being found to bo not so serious as was formerly thought, lie did not know that it would be wise to ask that more stringent measures bo t,l Mr. Dalrvmple drew attention to Cape weed, which he contended was a greater nuisance than California;! tlustle. Mr. T. Moss (Eketnhuna) said he found that after he had stumped his laud, and sown two or three crops ot oats, br inumt several patches of weeds that had been sown with the grain. Tt should be left to each district to .battle lor itself to secure protection ill the matter of seed. He generally found California',! thistle on n leased farm or one that was badly ne-lected. .Ragwort wns another evu. The question of weed eradication wns one that should bo left to localities. Mr D.' Howie (Komako) said he had been in a district where C'aliforman thistle had been growing for twelve veal's. Th tt settlers had been fighting it, but the more they .fought it tho stronger it ap-j peared to grow. Mr. Kevins (Tinui) pointed out thai the Government had built- silos to demonstrate the value of the thistle for feeding purposes. Gorse could be used as fodder for cows. ' . . Another member spoke of the deleterious effects of pennyroyal, to which he attributed an epidemic of abortion that at one time had compelled him to ,=e-ll all his cows. The weed was being overcome by the use of salt. '

The motion was lest by a large majority. Taxation of Motor-Cars, Mr. Dalrymple (Marton) moved: "That in view of tho damage done io the main roads by the motor traffic, motor-car owners should be taxed by a road rate, such .rate to bo spent, by the comity council in the upkeep of the arterial roads." Mr. Bartoiv'Wtohded the motion, and suggested that fhK'proposed tax be assessed on the horse-power. The motion was easily defeated. Tlie conference then adjourned till next morning. , Delegates Entertained. -

Tha delegates wero entertained at a banquet in tho evening, when tho Prime Minister was present. Mr. J. Wingate presided. ■■ The Ma voir (Mr. ,T. A. Nash) proposed the toast Of "The Legislature." fie said ho believed that they had in Mr. Mackenzie ono who was well versed in agriculture in all its phases. He thought the tinio had arrived when deputations, excent on urgent matters, should i>o prohibited' during the sitting of Parliament. One of the best moves that had taken place for tho welfare of tho country as a whole was the recent Local Government Conference in Wellington. 'Ihe conference clearly' indicated that t.ney were going to have a certain number of members of tho Local Government Board directly representative of tho • )]™ple. They would havo nothing to do with the measure. , T , i In responding, Mr. D. liuick, M.T., said ho was Very proud to represent Palnierston in the councils of tho nation. lHe I was pleased to ?ee present :ur. L. n. Cinthrie, 51.P. for Oroua. Tho speaker also made reference to the presence of the Prime Minister, and expressed tno hopo that lie. would seo more ot tho people oi tiio district. Ho thought it a p-ECulini thing when the people of the country returned members to Parliament that that .bodv of men, after twenty-one years mid to secure the assistance or the local bodies when it laid a Local Government Bill on tho table. The speaker criticised the leasehold tendencies of the Govenimeiu; and suggested that tho clo\en hooi of the single-Uixer was apparent m its laud

Mr. D. H. Guthrie, M.P., extended a welcome to the Premier on tins his first visit to the district since his accession to the Premiership. . Mr. K. C. Bruce proposed the A in. 3 and Navy" toast. Captain Hev.itt, E.N., responded. . ?7 Major Dunk, in proposing the Zealand Farmers' Union, said he had heard it stated that the Department of Agriculture was too expensive. He did not believe this. The Department was domg a vast deal for the farmer. In responding, Air. J. G. Wilson, president, congratulated the 11111011 011 the proerp« shown. He had a very friendly feeling for Air. Mackenzie, who. as, Premier. had yet to win his spurs, which he had certainly done as Aflutter for Sericulture. Personally, ha woir.d be satisfied if Mr. Alaekenzie was nend nt the Afrriciilt.ilral Department for a considerable time. Mr Alaekenzie said Ministers wowd like to have more time to visit the bock coimtrv portions of the Dominion. (Loud laughter.) With regard to the Local Government Bill the conference settled down to work, but in Parliament the two parties would have endeavoured to Uar the Bill to pieces between them. JhelTOvevnnient took the right step because Parliament had not oil the necessary wisdom for all the subjects that enma before it. His friends need net shed a silent tear for him if defeat awaited tho party. Tt his success in his new sphere was such as attended his career in the Department of Agriculture, ho, believed he would lie ablo to please the people. At last election he was severely attacked for his introduction of the Seed Bill. If those who opposed him in that matter represented tho farmers of the Dominion, he would not again introduce the matter. No! only should seed be pure, but it should have a high germinating percentage, and b° true to name. (Applause.) He was negotiating with Franco with a view to abiitin" some of the tariffs imposed op, our products. He thought Shore was a bright future for our produce or. the Continent. "Think les.s of party, think more of men." was liis; concluding advice. Messrs. J. Fj. Peakes (Chief Veterinarian), and Conway (president Mnnawatu A. and P. Association), also spoke "Trade anil Commerce," was proposed by Afr. F. JTncklv, and responded to by Air. Ar. A. Elliott (president Chamber of Commerce).