FARMERS' UNION. SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 115, 17 May 1909, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION. SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION.

AT THE WELLINGTON PROVINRIAL CONFERENCE. The annual conference of the Wellington Provincial District Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union will be held this year at Eketahuna-, commencing Tuesday, 'the 25bh May. Mr. J. G. Wilson (Bulls) will occupy the chair as president Theie is «. large order paper, containing over thirty remits from various banches of the district. The subjects for discussion are numerous and wide, ranging from the land question to the Dreadnought offer. LAND AND SETTLEMENT. The following motions deal with important questions of land and settlement (the source of tha motion being given in brackets) : — Land Act. — That the Government, be urged to amend the Land Apt so as to give Crown tenants tho option of purchasing the freehold of their lands at the original value, and the payment of the difierence- between the 4 per cent, now charged on the lease in perpetuity and that 5 per cent, charged to tenants with the right of purchase, and the sale of all future lands shall carry the right of purchase with ' limitation, of area.— (Makuri and Feilding). Land Valuations. — That the attention of the Provincial Conference be drawn to the enormous and unjtistifiable increase in la-nd valuations (especially in the face of th» falling market) and the I grossly unjust manmsr in which the valuators cut down the improvements. — (Waverley). — That the present system of valuation of land for taxation purposes should be abolished, and that valuations should be based on th«* earning capacity of land extending over a term of years. — (Pahiatua, Central, Makuri, and Shannon). — That seeing the Department takes no notice of the returns sent in by owners under the land tax valuation, but always takes the valuator's value, tho Government be requested to discontinue requiring owners to furnish returns, as they appear to be quite valueless. — (Wanganui). Land Tax. — That this Conference supports the united Chambers of Commerce in condemning the present Graduated jjand Tax. — (Pahiatua and Central). Land Boards.— That all land boards consist of five members, two to bo elected by the Crown tenants, the Government to appoint two, and the Commissioner of Crown Lands in each district, to be chairman. — (Feildinff). Crown Land Ballots. — That the present system of balloting for Crown lands be done away with, and that all sections (whether for cash or lease) should be submitted to public auction, subject to the limitation clause under the Lands for Settlement Act.— (Palmerston North). Advances to Settlers Office.— That the maximum rate of interest instead of the minimum rate be fixed by the Advances to Settlers Office on advances to settlers. — (Pahiatua Central). Mortgage Tax.— That as the Mortgage Tax has been the cause of a large amount of capital being withdrawn from the Dominion, and is also keeping capital for investment out of the Dominion, making it almost impossible to obtain loans for the legitimate development of the country, the attention of the Government bo called to the position, and it be suggested that the tax be abolished. -(Wavcrley). — That this branch endorses the resolution passed by the Conference of the United Chambers of Commerce to the effect that the Mortgage Tax be abolished and that taxation on mortgages be in the form of an income lax. — (Pahiatua, Central). E*te« of Interest.— That the attention of the Government be called to the scarcity of money and the high rates of interest eh»rged, -which hampers farming operations, and to repeal legislation which has caused the withdrawal of outside capital. — (Makuril LOCAL BODIES. The following motions deal with the operations of local bodies :—: — Road Board Subsidies. — That with reference to an amendment in the last Appropriation Bill passed at last session, whereby the subsidies of the road boards was reduced considerably, the Farmers' Union utter a stern protest against any curtailment of the road board subsidies. — (Waverley). Subsidies. — That subsidies to local bodies should be on a graduated scale in proportion to the rate struck as suggested by the Royal Land Commission. — (Makuri). Elections. — That the system of voting at the election of members for local bodies be altered so as to compel members to vote for the full number of members required. — (Palmerston North). — That the electors of local bodies should be allowed the same opportunity to vote when absent from home,' or through illness, as provided for in the case of Parliamentary elections. — (Levin). Mam Arterial Roads. — That, the Government be asked to maintain all the arterial roads in the Dominion. — (Pahautanui). Drainage Act. — That the Drainage Act be amended so as to compel, adjoining owners to contribute to a boundary drain as if the same were a fence, and where the outlet of such drain is through adjoining property the owner of such property shall contribute according to the benefit derived ; the above to apply to native lands also. — (Shannon). Noxious Weeds. — That local authorities and others, including the Government, be responsible for the eradication of all noxious weeds growing on the roads, reserves, or other lands, and that the law be altered accordingly. — (Palmerston Northi. OTHER MATTERS. More general are the subjects dealt with in the fellowing motions :—: — Workers' Compensation Act. — That steps should be taken as soon as tho House meets to relieve the Dominion from responsibility of indemnifying the Insurance Department against possible losses arising out of the issue of policies to miners without medical examination. —(Provincial Executive). Parliamentary Committee. — That a committee representative of the farmers and employers in the House be formed similar to the Labour Bills Committee. — (Rongotea). Analysis of Reeds. — That legislation be asked for giving power to publish analysis of seeds, chaff, and manures where ssimples to be analysed are properly taken. — (Eketahuna). Railways. — That the promise made by the Premier to carry cement for dairying purposes "free on the railways be given effect to.— (Feilding).— That the Ktiilway Department be asked to issue tickets at excursion rates where six or more farmers are travelling together to visit experimental farms. — (Eketahuna, Makuri). 'Soundness of Stock. — That owners of stallions which have not been passed by a duly qualified veterinary eurgeon b« prohibited from nsinj same for attud purposes. — (Ma-komako, Palmertton North.) Contagious Mammitis. — That contagious mammitis he placed on the schedule of diseases by the Government, and that an experienced veterinary surgeon be appointed as inspector. — (Eketahuna.) Stock Sales.— That at all stock sales, when stock is submitted for sale, the auctioneer shall be required to state the name of tho vendor and the name of tho purchaser (Feildiflg, Palingrfitos North.)

Agricultural Statistics. — That tho Government be again requested to collect the agricultural returns by post, and that a penalty be imposed if returns are not sent in to date. — (Tenui, Shannon.) Moumahaki State Farm. — That the conference protests against the statement of the Premier in making the Moumahaki State Farm a first-class prisoners' home, and suggests instead it be- made an agricultural college, when it will be self-supporting, and asks tho executive to support the suggestion. — (Waverley.) Accident Insurance. — That the conference consider the advisability of forming a Farmers' Accident Aasurance. — (Horoeka.) Wool Charges. — That the executive try to get the charges on wool reduced. — (Horoeka.) The Cabinet. — That this branch protests in the strongest possible manner against a portfolio being allotted to a member of th© House who is not responsible to a European constituency. — (Shannon )