[PRESS ASSOCIATION.] FARMERS' UNION AND LAND LEGISLATION.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 140, 10 December 1909, Page 8

[PRESS ASSOCIATION.] FARMERS' UNION AND LAND LEGISLATION.

PALMERSTON N., 9th Dec. A meeting of the Wellington Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union was held here to-day, Mr. J. G. Wilson (president) in the chair. It was decided that the whole of tho members of the provincial executive bo constituted a "Farmer's Defence Committee. ' ' The Land Laws Amendment Bill was discussed, and the following resolution passed : — "That this executive, whils appreciating the fact that in the proposed Land Bijl the principle for which the Farmers' Union has so long contended (viz., tha'k cill Crown tenants should have the option of .acquiring the freehold of their sectiens) has been so largely admitted by, the Government, is strongly of opinion that the only equitable terms will be by fixing the price on the original value, on lines long advocated by the union." It was also resolved — -"That special attention be drawn to the proposal t > interfero with leases issued under the small grazing runs system, it being retrospective and also overriding the decision of the Supremo Court." Clause 24 of the Land for Settlements Administration Bill wis discussed. It was resolved — "That,, whilst ontirely,approving of homes and homo farms for workers being provided by voluntary sale of land, the proposed provisions in the Land for Settlements Administration Bill — that any. land may be compulsorily taken- if within twenty miles of a borough containing 5000 inhabitants or a town district of 1000 inhabitants — are indefensible, and wilculatod to rhbturb the sense of security of tenure of a large number of Email farmers." It was resolved — "That the attention of the Minister of Lands be directed to the absolute necessity of making provision in any nsw Land Bill for legal exchange of land for roads or public works purposes, independent of tho area, of land that muy be held by the owner of land making tho exchange." CATHOLICS AND STATE EDUC.V TION. AUCKLAND, 9th December. At tho~ distribution of prizes in connection with the Sacred Heart College to-night, tho educational s ystem . was subjected to some criticism from the Roman Catholic, standpoint. Brother Clement, the principal, in referring to the disadvantages tho institution laboured under said he thought a protest should be made against the injustice Catholics had to suhrait to in regard to scholarships. Catholic children attending Catholic schools were no* eligible for those State bursaries which were paid in part by their heavily-tax-ed parents. Bishop Lonihan, who followed, said that Cathohcn ware treated shamefully in respect to educational matters. NELSON CRIMINAL SESSIONS. NELSON, 9th December. At the Supreme Court, Albert C. Weingott, charged with stealing a horse and trap, was acquitted. David La Roche, tried for alleged theft from a dwelling, was found not guilty. The trial of William Henry J. Kingston on six counts of criminal assault is proceeding. OPPOSED TO CANTEENS. CHRISTGHURCH, 9th Dec. The Presbyterian Young Men's Bible Class Union (4000 strong) has telegraphed to the Prime Minister urging the abolition of canteens in connection with military camps. , WRESTLING MATCH. WESTPORT, 9th December. At the Victoria Theatre to-night, Joe Gardiner, described as the champion light-weight wrestler of the , world, in a wrestling match with Jack Smith, welter-weight boxer, of Tasmania and New Zealand, threw the latter in llmin Bsec. Gardiner had offered to forfeit £5 if Smith could stand up to him, for 15m in.