TELEGRAPHIC.

Mataura Ensign, 27 July 1909, Page 3

TELEGRAPHIC.

! FARMERS IN CONFERENCE. A YEAR OF ENCOURAGEMENT. AN INTERESTING REVIEW. PKB OSITKn mKSS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, July 27. The Colonial Conference of delegates of the provincial branches of the Now Zealand Farmers' Union was opened horo to-day. Mr J. G. Wilson, who presided, said he thought the year had been one of encouragement to thorn. He referred with satisfaction to the fact that the Arbitration Court had rofused to make an award in ho agricultural laborers' dispute to tie down farmers to certain hours and have restrictions placed upon their work. Iu addition to other difficulties with which they had to contend the cost of living and decrease the opthe cost of livuig ami decrease the opportunities of making their way. Some anomalies would require to be adjustod when tho shearers' award ran out. Tho election of 1908 had been a triumph for the views of the members of tho union. It was a source of gratification to tho union that the Socialistic element in the now House of Representatives was decreased ruthor than incroasod. A majority of members of the House in favor of the freehold hud been returned. Land Taxation.

Mr Wilson showed that in ton years up to 1908 the taxation on land had increased from £207,286 to £037,846. It was safe to say that tho land had paid greater rates than any other form of taxable property. Altogether the land paid well-nigh two millions sterling per year in taxes. Hased on tho number of landowners in the Dominion he calculated thut each landowner paid taxes amounting to £l2 6s 7d per year or £l7 6s lid if general taxation woro added. Referring to the mortgage tax and the agitation that it should be brought under the same heading as income tax, Mr Wilson said the present difference bad a deterrent effect oil monye-leuding.

Questions of the Day. Tho speaker also referred to what ho termed the extravagance of tho Government, particularly in reference to tilt-- post office maintenance, alterations, etc The president alluded to several warnings by tho Prime Minister that taxation might bo increased, and ho asked, "Is it not therefore our duty to tell tho people of tho Dominion that ive nro developing the country at a greater ruto than tho population can take advantage of:'" He went on to ask whether the members of the House should not be urged by tho electors to stay thoir hands on tlio demands thoy made on the public purse, and expressed gratification at the advance made ui the consideration given to military training. The change of personality in tlio Minister of Agriculture had not been, bo thought, to the -union's disadvantage. Political Graves.

Continuing, the president said that if Parliament again refused to grant the power to Crown tenants to convert the leasehold into freehold there would be a good many political graves to be tug. He expressed the hope that members of the House would receive an active reminder that they were expected to keep their pledges, 'lly refusing the right to purchase to Crown tenants tho tiovernnient was leaving a splendid iource from which its successors would be able to supply money both for continuing Ibe land for settlement policy and public works. Tho sale of land to Crown tenants would probably bring in i sufficient sum of money to open up and settle the balance of the Crown lands. If monies were earmarked and ■i proper system were established for listribution and expenditure of money by local bodies the House would become something more than a big Hoard of Works.