THE FARMERS' UNION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 157, 8 July 1902, Page 1

THE FARMERS' UNION.

CONFERENCE AT WELLINGTON

THE NEW PLATFORM.

i'ress Association. Electric Telegraph. Copyright.

Wellington, July 7. Following are the seven planks adopted as the Farmers' Union platform : —

1. That grants for roads and bridges should not depend, on the will of the Minister, but when voted by the House should be applied to the particular work for which they were passed, and on no account bo diverted or allowed to lapse, and should be spent by the local bodies wherever possible.

2. That when rural Crown lands are thrown open for settlement the provisions of the Land Act shull be carried out so that selectors may have tbe choice of tenure as provided for, viz , purchase for cash, lease with option of purchase,lease in perpetuity.

3. That all holders of land on lease in perpetuity or perpetual lease have the right to purchase freehold at any time after the improvement conditions have been complied with, either by immediate cash payment or payments extending over an indefinite time, a reduction in rent to be made in proportion to such payment, no transfer to be registered unless such transfer has attached to it a declaration by the purchaser in the terms of the Land Act and Lands for Settlement Act. 4. That native lands which benefit from the expenditure of special and general rates shall be placed upon the same footing as European lands so situated. .

5. That taxation through the Cus toms should be for the purpose of raising revenue, and not for protective purposes.

6. That no interference with existing contracts such as is proposed by the Fair Rent Bill should be enacted.

7. That only ratepayers be empowered to vote in local government matters in counties, Road Board and rural: districts.

It was left to the Provincial Executive to formulate a series of questions to be submitted to Parliamentary candidates based on the p'atform.

It was resolved to urge upon the Railway Department the necessity for a more accurate weighing of grain and frequent taring of trucks; that the annual addition to the public department must entail heavy taxation on farmers and workers and seriously handicap the producers of the colony; that the Union considers loans to local bodies shottld be relieved of the mortgage tax; that mortgages should be deducted from the annual value of the land bearing the graduated tax.

I The Conferences adjourned at 5,30 p.m. -.'■■■