THE COMING ELECTIONS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 15 September 1908, Page 3

THE COMING ELECTIONS.

THE FARMERS' UNION PLATFORM. QUESTIONS TO CANDIDATES. [United Peess Association.] DUNEDIN, Monday. In accordance with a resolution passed at the Farmers' Union Conference, a circular has been issued to branches containing questions to be put to Parliamentary candidates at the elections. Candidates are to be asked to support of Party the following platform: — (1) To give Crown tenants the statutory right to acquire the freehold at any time after conditions as to residence and improvements are complied with, at a value to be computed actuarially, so that any rebate or rent paid less than 5 per cent paid by an o.r.p. tenant be capitalised and added to the original value of tho land. (2) That in respect of all Crown lands open the successful applicant shall have tne option o£ any tenures provided therein. (3) That taxation through the Customs be raised for the purposo of revenue only. (4) That only ratepayers have the vote on local Government matters in counties, road boards, and rural districts, and that the present franchise be maintained. (5) To resist any further attempt to nationalise the means of production, distribution and exchange. ' Branches are given discretion to ask candidates i£ they will vote for the repeal o£ the present Conciliation and Arbitration Act, against a Referendum Bill, and fov a discontinuance of cooperative works.