Farmers’ Union.

Northland Age, Volume 2, Issue 41, 22 May 1906, Page 5

Farmers’ Union.

The Taranaki Provincial Conference of the Farmers’ Union has [been sitting at Eltham. After a long discussion on blackleg mortality, a resolution was passed demanding from the Government compensation for losses sustained. Resolutions were passed urging continuation of the agitation for freehold land tenure and for further legislation to promote settlement on native lands. A resolution was passed urging reform in local government, and advocating electoral rights in preference to the present system of ballot at elections. The conference rejected a proposal to the effect that the Government should discontinue the importation of stud horses and bulls and poultry, and also rejected a proposal to grant freehold tenure to leaseholders of native lands. Mr. S. Forsyth, of Opimake, was elected president for the coming year. The Conference passed a resolution, “ That a representative of the farmers should have a seat on each Assessment Court; that the Conference views with alarm the statement lately reported to have been made by the Premier with regard to taxation, and protests against the proposal that further taxation should be placed on the already overburdened farmer.”

After discussion on the tariff question a resolution was passed “ That the only fair and equitable way of altering the tariff would bo in the direction of a revenue tariff with preference to British goods carried in British bottoms.”