THE FARMERS' UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11824, 29 November 1901, Page 5

THE FARMERS' UNION.

THE monthly meeting of the Mangrere Farmers' Union was held in the Public Bail on the 25th hist. The president (Mr. M. M. Kirkbride) occupied the chair. There was a large attendance, and 11 new members were elected. Tho secretary (Mr. Allan) road correspondence from the Premier, acknowledging receipt of letters containing resolutions protesting against the increase of payment of members, and objecting- to rcimposition of duty on kerosene. Letters were read from the local agent cf the Canterbury Farmers' Cooperative Fire Insurance Company. Tlie chairman and Mr. a. K. Taylor were ashed to make further inquiries. Mr. Boyd moved, "That this Fanners' Union expresses its disapprobation of the present system of valuing farm lands, and would urge tho Government to amend the Valuation Act so that such lands shall be assessed on the letting value, and that nroper provision be made to exempt all improvements. This union is also of opinion that local bodies possessing as they do an intimate knowledge of local land values, should have the power of appointing cue of tho two assessors who are associated with the Stipendiary Magistrate to determine appeals against land valuations." Mr. K. Wallace seconded. Messrs. J. E. Taylor, Westney, Allan, and others supported the motion. Mr. \V. F. Massey, M.H.E., in supporting it, said the Valuation Department had come to stay. It must be borne in upon everyone that hind values were being put up for taxation purposes. The resolution was a move in the right direction. The Assessment Courts should be differently constituted. Tho motion was carried unanimously. On the motion of Mr. Allan, seconded by Mr. Wallace, it was resolved, " That a committee, consisting of Messrs. Montgomerie, Wcstney, and Boyd, be set up to obtain the names of all members willing to co-operate for the purpose of purchasing bonadust." Owing to Christmas and harvest occurring in December and January, it was agreed to hold the next meeting in February .—[Own Correspondent.] [PY TEI/ECRAPIT.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] DtfXEDiN, Thursday. At a meting of the executive of the Otngo branch of the Farmers' Union, it was resolved to endorse the protest of the Palnierston branch against increasing the honorarium of members of Parliament, as in the present state of the country the strictest economy should be observed. As no replies have been received from Ministers to the resolution passed at the Milton Conference, it was decided that a deputation should wait on the Ministers now in Dunedin to-morrow.