FARMERS IN CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 14631, 29 July 1911, Page 1

FARMERS IN CONFERENCE.

| CONCLUDING SESSION, j The Farmers’ Conference non chided their ■ sittings at Wellington yesterday. —Political Federation. — j The conference deckled to ally them-, j selves with the Farmers’ Political FederaI tion. the following policy of tie fedora (ion i being agreed to: i 1. That this conference approve of the formation of a Farmers’ Political Protection Federation. 2.. The objects of the federation to be the retairn of parliamentary candidates to support the platform of the Farmers’ Union irrespective of other political ! views. i 5. That all candidates shall therefore | be asked to state clearly in writing or i from a public plat, {firm their views on the Farmers’ Union platform, and how I far they are prepared to support it. > 4. That candidates who shall he deemed to have made the most satisfactory statements or pledges should have the support of all members of the union, irrespective of other political parties. 5. That in order to carry out I lie foregoing resolutions provincial executives may instruct branches of the onion 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 ;up}ort. In the case of two or more candidates being equally satisfactory, members should be free to vete as, (hey think i h>. , , i The following are the questions relating ! to the platform which candidates arc te- ! quosted to reply to : - | 1. Crown tenants to have the option | of purchasing the freehold of their lease j at the original value, provided that in j the ca.se of Iri.p. tenants an addition of j (?) per cent, capitalisation if he has paid I only 4 per cent. rent, and in the case of renewable leases at the capital value i at the lime of the purchase., less the j lessee’s interest in I lie lease (to be i decided by arbitration). Optional tenure j in disjxisa! of Crown lands to he con- ! tinned. i 2. That only ratepayers be empowered i to vote on local government matters in counties, road boards, and rural districts. a Thai no increase of taxation by way of Land Tax or protective duty be j imp-used. 4. That the construction of public works should bo by contract, to be let j bv tender. ’5. 'Hint legislation of a ponal or ! socialistic character tending to monopolise. by the Slate all means of product wn. distribution, and exchange shall Ire strenuously resisted. —American Meat Trust. - Mr Makgill (Auckland 1 ) moved— That the union view with concern the ; fact, as reported from I/ondon, of the control of the Shaw-Savill Shipping Company by the Morgan Combine, and as the shipping companies are so bound i up with the frozen meat industry of the i Dominion, they urge the Government to ; kc“p a watchful eye over the possible means of American control of this very important industry of the Dominion, and that this conference take the matter in

hand and put it before the Government. The mover- referred to the control of the ‘ Shaw-Savill Shipping Company by the Morgan Combine 1 , which 11 * also controlled the Aberdeen While Star Line. It was a serious ■ matter for Now Zealand exporters of frozen meat, that, the shipping control should he in the hands of Americans. It was suggested that the American Meat. Trust were alieady in the New Zealand frozen meat trade, and, ho understood, bad gained a iinn footing in New Zealand. Some moans should be devised of combating this evil. Mr .1. C. Cooper (Taw) said there was no danger of the American Meal Trust in New Zealand. They were not buying through ether agents. He did not think the trust had bought a single carcass in New Zealand. American beef and New Zealand mutton, he knew-, were bought in London, and sold together. It was the fact that contracts were made between the freezing companies and shipping companies that- all meat going to London must go through that contract. Meat going to the West of England went by another shipping company, but at the same rate. New’ Zealand shipping rates compared favorably with South American and Australian • rates. The shipping companies were bound to cut their rates down to bedrock for tear of outside competition. The contracts were mutual agreements between the shipping companies and freezing works. Mr -T. Talbot thought the American Meat Trust were taking a, lot of New Zealand meal, and were likely to capture the London meat trade. The President pointed out that South Africa was .meeting with difficulties with the shipping <*omhi nes, ami the Cape Parliament were seeking to deal with the mailer bv the abolition of rebates given by the shipping companies 1 e shippers, conditionally on shipping going by their lines. Major Lusk said he could, but would rather not. name persons in New Zealand who represented the American Meat Trust in Now Zealand. The matter should be nipped in the bud. Mr Skeat said he had had names mentioned to him of people operating in Now Zealand for the American Meat Trust, There was a. lot, of buying under cover and on c.j.f. terms, and no one know where the meat went. Mr Cooper repeated that he did not know of a single direct represent ative in New Zealand, but trade might he going on by c.j.f. contracts. Mr Evans said he was absolutely sure, from advices from l»ndou and from information. that a certain firm in lyndeu, buying for the United Kingdom, was a ting as bull and bear. Mr Vavasour said there was not the slightest doubt about it that there - r .as a ntrong bear movement in the I'tiled Kingdom market early this season, which, brought the market, down. There was absolutely no other reason for the depressed prices. The motion was earned. Various Resolutions. The following resolutions w-i carried

That «MK>id«ration bn given to th* methods under which experiments are carried out on Governmeiu. experiments farms, and that the Advisory (-ommjU.ee he requested to consult the Munster of Agriculture upon the subject alter making the necessary inquiries. That the conference, be requested to take, steps to have railway rates for Farmers’ Union excursions placed on the same scale as those of friendly societies. That the conference urge on the Government the need of passing the longdelayed Local Government BillThat the Government •he asked to amend the Trades Mark Act,, so as to enable any wool brand to be registered. That individuals who may have a Government mortgage over their properties have the right to insure in any reputable office. That the Government be requested to enact that the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Boards be the recipients of all auctioneer, public-house, and motor vehicle license fees. That the conference bring under the notice of the union the question of combines promoted to keep m> the price of farmers’ supplies, with jlw v-A- ,- to .:>»g-

•resting a remedy for the .u That the banks throughout the Do-

minion be asked to extend their hour on Saturdays to 1 o'clock. ’ That the union appoint a day, to ; ! be called Fanners’ Union Day, on which spurts, picnics, or any form of amuse* f mate may bo held in varioos districts, to give farmers and their wives and families an interest in the anion and in crease the membership. That a protest be mads against the way in which the so-called co-operate works of the Dominion are carried oat, and that the Dominion Exerofave mee upon the Minister of Public Works the desirability of again reverting to the contract system of labor. That the nation be asked to We the law relating to horse stealing amended atas early a date as possible, as at pie- I sent the law is verv unfair to .hmu> owners. " the present divided canted be- i tw«en the Maon Connciis mid the local bodies bemg detrimental to proper rwdstrataon, it shonld be in ttetemds local bodies only, and the local bodies < kf steps to destroy all xm- • registered dogs. J i The resolutions named wfll be far- ' raided to the Ministers in chanm of 1 anous departments to which they rofate