N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1037, 24 May 1902, Page 2

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

OTAGO I'ItOVINCIAL CONKEUEXCB,

Tlio conference of the Otago District Farmers' Union was opened at Dunediu on Thursday. The balance sheet showed a credit balance of .Oi<i. Mr H. liuckland, Waikouaiti, wns elected president fur the next term, and on taking the chair read the platform which hid been unproved of by the Executive. This provides that all holders of land on lease, including land under the Lands for Settlement Act, should have tho right to purchase alter the improvement conditions have been complied with; tbat the present exemption of A'.joo from taxation bo maintained ; that assessment courts under the Lund and Income Tax Assessment Act be presided over by a S M. and two assessors ; one appointed by the Government and the other by the local branch of the I'anuers' Union ; that the Government be recommended that applications for old age pensions should be considered by a board, consisting of a S.M., the chairman of the County Council and the mayor or chairman of a lioad Hoard ; that it be a recommendation to the Government to afford every assistance in bringing about closer commercial union between Great Britain and her colonies ; that the system of single electorates be adopted; that it be a recommendation that in adjusting electoral boundaries natural boundaries and features, as well as community of interest, be studied. It was decided to refer the matter of libelling shoddy goods to the Colonial Council, also the question of poisoning small biids in boroughs.