N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 570, 24 May 1913, Page 5

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE. Delegates from forty branches in < various parts of the Auckland Province were present at the opening of the annual provincial conference of the New Zealani Farmers' Union at the Auckland Chamber of Commerce on Thursday morning. PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. The provincial president, Major

Lusk, after extending a welcome to the delegates, said he had to conrgatulate them on the fact that the past year had been, upon the whole, a pros-

perous onj for farmers, that the prices obtained for products had been satisfactory, and that their crops and clips had been generally good. There had been a marked and most satisfactory increase in the volume of exports, especially in wool, butter, and cheese. In the two latter commodities, the province was assuming the place of principal producers in the Dominion. There had been many cases in which their union had helped the farmers of this province to obtain concessions

and have grievances redressed. The great battle for the freehold had been finally won,mainly through the strenuous efforts o£ the union, and their oftrepeated demands for reform in the methods of valuing lands for taxing purposes had in a great measure been complied with. Special activity had been displayed by the executive in securing an improved suburban train service, the importation of efficient agricultural labourers, extension of telephone lines to country districts, etc. Eighteen new branches had been opened during the past year.— Apulause.

HANDLING OF MANURE. The president referred to an agreement which the executive had come to with the waterside workers to support a reduction in the weight of manure in bags from two cwt. to 1401b. The executive had considered that the waterside workers had a genuine grievance in this respect, and, notwithstanding an endeavouring on the part of the merchants to restore the '2cwt. bags, the executive intended to stand by their agreement.—Applause. LIGHT RAILWAYS. An interesting paper on the subject of light railways as a means of opening up the backblocks was read by Mr Edwin Hall, late secretary of the Auckland A. and P. Association. The conference, with but one dissenting voice, adopted the following recommendation of the executive: — "That this conference urge the Government to adopt a progressive policy for the development of a system of light and in cases where the Government cannot undertake their construction, to aiford facilities for the work being undertaken by private enterprise on the lines of the Belgian system." TAX ON CAPITAL. Captain Colbcek moved, on behalf of the executive, "That this conference is of opinion that the land tax, as compared with the income tax, is acting very unfairly on the farming community, and that the system requires altering, so that there would be an equal burdon on all capital, whether invested in land or any other class of investment."

Mr Magill moved, as an additi >n. the insertion of the words, "While in no way wishing to remove restrictions framed to check undue aggregation of the land." He though this should be madp clear in the interests of closer settlement.

The president, in supporting the remit, said that it was not desired to secure freedom from taxation, but only to obtain a fair deal for the farming community. Hear, hear.

The remit as amended was adopted with one dissenting voice.

MAIN ROADS MAINTENANCE. Mr J. Boddie, Te Kuiti, moved, as an executive remit "That this conference is of opinion that the only satisfactory solution of the problem of construction and maintenance of the main arterial roads is for Government to undertake the work and suggests that part of the Crown land revenue should be made available for this purpose." The mover expressed the opinion that the care of main arterial roads was too great a burden on the ratepayers, because these highways were intended for the use of the people from one end of the Dominion to the other. Mr Lockwood, Hunua, moved, as an amendment, that the latter portion of the remit having reference to Crown land revenue be omitted on the ground that backblocks settlers in need of side roads would be hampered if such revenue was devoted to main roads. There was no seconder of the amendment.

The president expressed the opinion that a main arterial road was as much a national work as was a railway. The remit was adopted on the voices. NON-PARTY GOVERNMENT.

Without discussion, the conference by 44 votes to 10, reaffirmed the resolution which was carried last year urging that a committee be appointed by the Dominion Conference to consider and draft a scheme of government by elective executive for this country, in order that the Farmers' Union may be able to enter on an active campaign to bring this principle clearly before the electors of the Dominion. VETERINARY SURGEONS.

The conference resolved on the motion of Mr Duxfield, to urge upon the Government that where possible, inspectors of stock should be veterinary Burgeons, and wherever possible the advica and assistance of Government veterinaries be made available in all country districts at a small fee, and that greater facilities should be given for instructing young men in veterinary science. LOCAL BODIES. A resolution was carried urging the Government to put local government on a more satisfactory basis by extending county council control and providing more assured finance.

At the instance of the Matamata branch, it waß agreed to request the Government to enact that hospital and charitable aid boards shall receive all auctioneers', public house 3, and motor vehicle license fees. RAILWAY TRUCKS.

A resolution was carried urging that users of trucks on the Government railways be granted the right of hiring by the truck, and loading same with any class of goods, provided that no inflammable or explosive goods be carried.