N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7391, 18 February 1902, Page 2

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

On Saturday, Mr R. C. Templor,

organising secretary and lecturer for tho Taranaki section of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, delivered an address before the Hawera branch. Mr R. li. Hamilton (president of the Taranaki district) occupied the chair, in tho absence of Mr Winks (president of tho local branch). The Chairman introduced the lecturer. Mr Templer was disappointed that tho attendance was not larger, becauso the subject matter of his proposed addross i was of interest to all farmers. Tho ram fair had doubtless prevented many from attending. He hoped his address would encourage members to tho Union. It was possible that all knew the aims and objects of the Union, but he did not think so, otherwise there would be little need for an organising secretary. Wherever he had been he had boon told by those he had canvassed that they were quite x willing to join tho Union, but had never been asked. The lecturer read a list of the objects and 1 aims of the Union (the list has been published more than once in the Star). The Union aimed to forward the i interests of farmers and producers, and everyone should take advantage of the opportunity of joining the organisation. The rope of safety should be grasped, the same as a drowning man grasped at a rope of rescue. The drowning man did not wait to be asked to save himself. The position of those who looked to wool, meat, or agriculture for then? living needed attention ; they were gradually sinking in the sea of low prices, high charges, and taxation. (Hear, hear.) It might be argued that in this district the farmer was not in this drowning condition, but what would be his position if a drop occurred in the dairy produce market ? Even now in many cases, what with heavy rentals and intolerable taxation, if it were not that the dairymen made white slaves of themselves and their families they could not survive. (Hear, hear.) It would be asked how the Union purposed improving matters ? Well, it intended to try to decrease charges and reduce taxation. How to go about effecting those reforms was a matter requiring careful consideration, but this much was palpable, that there should be unity in the endeavour to solve the difficulties. It was not right that any one should shirk his share of work intended to benefit him equally with his neighbors. It might be asked what the Union had done to warrant its continuance. In had not been in existence twelve months, but the concession it had Obtained for its members in the matter of accident insurance alone justified its existence, and gave practical illustration of the advantages of membership. And that only constituted an indication of benefits to come if the farmers united instead of allowing themselves to be dealt with as scattered units to be robbed and despised as fools. (Hear, hear.) It was not for nothing that all other classes of the community — industrial, mercantile, and professionalhad combined, it was not for nothing that they found it necessary to pay heavy subscriptions, and secure the best men to organise and manage their unions, trusts, and associations ; it was because they found they must do these things or be beaten in the great struggle for existence. No one could deny the right of these classes to combine for mutual protection, but it was even more necessary for the farmers to do so, because, by the very nature of their occupation, they were less able to oppose a combined front to antagonists. At the present time the taxation' was as great as the farmer could bear, and there was, moreover, a powerful movement afoot to place the whole burden on the land. If that movement was not met by organised resistance it would probably be successful. There was an almost universal cry against the system of assessment of land values, and it appeared to him that a better system would be for the valuation to be done by a board of practical farmers on the basis of the cash value of the land in the open market, after allowing a fair margin for fluctuations in produce. The speaker then referred to the cost of Government (explaining that he alluded to every Government that bad existed in the colony) It was idle to say that a reduction could not be made. If the farmers said it must be done, it would be done. (Hear, bear.) There was one platform of the Union which bore directly on the question of taxation. As they all knew, a large proportion of the revenue was obtained through the Customs. That must necessarily be the case, but might not the revenue be larger, or, at any rate, as large, if some of the duties were lowered, making it possible to purchase a greater quantity of goods at a cheaper rate ? What benefit did the farming community reap from these high duties ? Was it not a fact that the duties were made heavy in order to prevent the importation of goods, thus protecting certain industries ? The prices for wool, butter, and the other products of the soil were ruled by the outside markets, and all the benefit the farmer received was the pleasure of paying higher prices for protected articles. What should be aimed at was fair trade within the Empire. No doubt it was beyond us at present, but the movement was daily gaining ground, and the Union should give it its strongest support. In considering the question of a preferential tariff they should remember that those in the Old Country were our best customers, and that the more of their goods we consumed the more of our produce they would be able to buy. By all means put a heavy tax on goods from those countries which taxed our produce. Turning to the question of the reduction of charges, the speaker referred to what had been done by the Union in regard to accident and fire insurance. In regard to the latter, the executive hoped to shortly announce something definite. If the present movement was not successful there was State fire insurance to fall back upon. Regarding what he termed the local and social aspect of the Union, Mr Templer said it had been urged by some branches that the reason they did not meet of tener was because there was nothing to meet about. That was erroneous; it was seldom that there was not some question of importance that could be profitably discussed. Recently he had attended a meeting of farmers, called to discuss the question of taking action to eradicate noxious weeds. If there had been a properly organised branch of the Union in that district, doubtless organised effort would have been the outcome of discussion. During the winter months, branches could discuss such questions as the best methods of improving dairy herds, dealing with insect and other pests, etc. It was good to get into the way of holding regular meetings. As to subjects for discussion, the executive would remit to branches at least one^ 6ubJ6ct a month, but it was essential that duo discussion should be accorded those subjects. In conclusion, Mr Templer said, "Let me impress upon you the absolute necessity for coming forward without delay, and joining the Union. The chief necessity is organisation, and your cry must be • Organise 1' Organise at once and completely. Do not delay. Remember that others are doing their utmost. Remember that the President of the Trades and Labor Council in Wellington lately took occasion to point out the necessity of opposing the movement of the Farmers' Union. I say, remember this, and do not be caught napping." (Applause.) Mr G. McLean proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Templer for his able address. Speaking to the motion, Mr McLean expressed the hope that the Executive would not lose sight of the matter of fire insurance. It was all very well to talk of State insurance, but he feared that under such a system the farmers would be in no better position than at the present time. Farmers' risks were very light, and doubtless under State insurance they would be taken in with the town risks. At one time he had an idea regarding insurance — namely, a combination of picked men, who would raise a fund which would be always liquid, and which would not be called on until there was a fire, when each person interested would contribute pro rota. The Chairman assured the meeting that the question of fire insurance had given the Executive much worry. Recently delegates from the Union met the Underwriters at Wellington, and various alternative schemes were discussed. After calm consideration, it was found that the time was not opportune for the establishment of a cooperative scheme. Those not behind the scenes could not appreciate the difficulties in the way. The Under-

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writers were banded together in solid phalanx, and would not make the concession of separating farmers' from town risks. The speaker gave an illustration j of the lightness of the former risks, and added that the Underwriters had decided to consider what concession they might be able to give and make known the result of their deliberations within a few days. If the result was not satisfactory, there was an alternative scheme. A substantial company was willing to take farmers' risks on condition that the farmers partially insured themselves. It was probable the company would give a three-quarter cover — if the policy was for £100 in the event of fire the company would pay £75. Mr McGuire, M.H.R., seconded tbe votd of thanks to Mr Templer for his able speech, and in doing so said the Union should be supported by all farmers. He had received an invitation to attend a meeting of the Union in Auckland on the 4th March, and would be pleased to receive suggestions from any member of the local Union which might prove of interest to the farming community generally. He was surprised that people of the country towns did not more fully recognise tbe fact tLat the interests of the farmers were their interests also. Every storekeeper in a country town was making his living from the land. Workers on farms should also be induced to join the Union.

The Chairman urged that no 3tone should be left unturned in the effort to strengthen the Union, every member of which should look on himself as a canvasser. The entrance fee was ridiculous, and some of the branches were practically bankrupt. At present tbe members of the Executive had to pay their own expenses whenever they travelled.

Mr F. J. Gane said the Normanby branch paid its secretary and the executive officers' expenses when they travelled. On the subject of land valuations, Mr Gane asked who were more fit to value land than those who made their living from it. He thought two farmers in each district should go round every year, and fix the valuations on the annual value.

The Chairman said when in Wellington the Union deputation waited on Mr McGowan in order to get tne absurdly high valuations cut down. While the valuations were, said the Chairman, hard on those who occupied open lands, they pressed harder still on those who occupied mountainous country, and were dependent on wool. As to the appointment of valuers, he thought if the Government allowed County Councils to appoint one valuer, and the Government appointed another, friction would be done away with, and possibly tbe Department would be no worse off. Mr McGowan bad promised to endeavour to get a short bill passed next session giving the people the right to appoint one valuer of their own.

Mr Templer, in returning thanks, emphasised the point made by the Chairman, that every farmer should be a canvasser for the Union. Wool had touched bottom, and while he did not anticipate a fall m dairy produce, one never knew what might happen, and they, should be prepared for emergencies. He believed with Mr McGuire that in the country every man was interested in farming, and should be admitted to Union membership.

Mr McLean said the principal thing that touched the farmers was the land valuations. Personally, he was agreeable to the basis of valuations being the selling value of the land, provided it was the cash value, or partly cash and the advance bf the balance by a monetary institution. Many farms were sold on which only £1 an acre was paid down. The Hon. C. H. Mills had recently stated (a copy of his letter had been read at the County Council meeting that day) that the Government valuers were above suspicion, that all were experts, and that the valuations were so uniform all over the colony that no one could reasonably object. That was ridiculous, the valuations of many sections of equal quality, and divided only by a fence, showing a great difference. The speaker gave an illustration of the absurdity of the system. Some time ago he acted as an assessor, when land at Kai Iwi — excellent land — was valued by the Government valuer at £9 an acre. It was near to a port, freezing works, and railway. He (the speaker) had pointed out that land at Kaponga, which was comparatively in. accessible, a lot of 'which was under stumps and affected by pumice from the mountain side, was valued at from £10 to £20 an acre, and was told that it was valued so heavily Because it was used for milking purposes. In his (the speaker's opinion) lands of equal quality should be subject to equal valuation, no matter to what use it was put, even if it was close fenced and used for the breeding of mice or guinea pigs. (Laughter.) Mr McGuire said he had in the House pointed out the unevenness of valuations, but had not been successful in getting legislation passed.} He would be pleased if he could get something done next session.

The Chairman said that during the interview with Mr McGowan a glaring instance of unfair valuation was brought under review. The owner of an estate in the Wairarapa let a portion of it to a family for milking purposes, and the valuation was fixed at £14 an acre, wbils the remaining portion, (Consisting of equally good land, was assessed at £8 an acre. Mr McGowan said the Valuer was not doing his duty, and that where land was suitable for dairying it should be valued accordingly, and not as sheep country, (Laughter.) The speaker then drew Mr McGowan's attention to the fact that his (the speaker's) valuation had gone up to £18, while his income had gone down. Mr McGowan asked him if he was prepared to take £13 an acre, but he urged that that was not a fair way of putting it ; that he was one of the first white men to take up land in the district, that he had been married there, and that there were all his treasured associations.

Mr McGowan had replied that that was only sentiment.

Mr Marx said it had been fixed by the Stratford Conference that laborers and others were eligible for Union membership. Regarding the question of a preferential tariff, it would have been seen that it was the Premier's intention to bring it forward when he was at Home for the Coronation. The speaker pointed out that, on the ground of cheapness, people purchased German, Belgian, and American goods, and>it seemed to him that it would be wise to levy a duty on foreign manufactures, while giving those of Great Britain preferential treatment. The Continental manufacturers, thanks to subsidies, had an advantage of 30 per cent in the matter of freights. As to what the Union had done, three large matters had been dealt with — accident insurance fire insurance, and a preferential tariff — and that alone justified its existence. The Chairman said he was convinced in his own mind that it was the proper thing to have the laborers in the Union. If that were not done, they might be found in opposition. In regard to the subscription, it was inadequate, and an endeavour was being made to get a consensus of opinion on the subject. Some branches had already replied in favor of an increase.

Mr Gane thought that in the oases of large families it might be as well to make some concessions.

Mr McGuite proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried by acclamation ; and, at Mr McGuire's suggestion, three cheers were given for the Union.