FARMERS' UNION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7376, 30 January 1902, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

Mr R. C. Bruce delivered a lecture uhder the auspices'of the Farmers' Union at Pahiatua on Friday. He said at the last meeting of the executive of the Farmers' Union Mr Wilson, the President, suggested that it would be a profitable thing for praotical farmers to go round the country and deliver addresses to various unions, thus educating them and keeping them alive to the necessity of organising to protect their interests. As a rule he was not in favour of unions. Some were, however, necessary, and he believed that a farmers' union, at meetings of which farmers could meet and interchange ideas, waß necessary. The Farmers' Union was a defensive, and not an offensive, organisation. Farmers had a right to work for the removal of all taxation which was calculated to diminish their prospects. He believed that all agricultural and dairying machinery, wire, and agricultural tools should be duty free. Woollen mills should be established in the oolony. All duties, as far as the financial conditions of the country would allow, should be removed. He believed in a preferential tariff within the Empire. . He was unable to form any opinion as to" federation. He ridiculed the idea of a single tax. At present the land was the worst investment any man oould go in for. The land was simply staggering under its burdens. He was entirely against the proposal that the electoral roll Bhould be the basis upon which representatives of local bodies should b6 elected, because there was no representation without taxa tion. He was opposed to the referendum* Labour unions had succeeded in getting a good deal of their own way, but were to a largo extent groping in. the -dark.

Farmers should crystallise their ideas, and secure legislation which would improve the conditions under which they labour. Dealing with the question of foreign markets, Mr Bruce said that while he was altogether opposed to any influx of Asiatics, the Government should endeavour to foster amiable relations with China and Japan with a view to future trade. To this end great tact would be necessary. He urged the farmers not to place their trust in Governments or men, but in their own strong arms.