THE FARMERS' UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11872, 25 January 1902, Page 6

THE FARMERS' UNION.

AN ADDRESS BY MR. MASSEY, M.H.R. Me. Masset, M.H.R., having been requested by the Mauku branch of the Farmers' Union to address a meeting on this organisation did so at the hall, Patumahoe on Saturday, January 18. Mr. Wily, chairman of the local branch, took the chair. Mr. Massey Has received with cheers, and began by stating that he had decided to tske for his subject matters affectir, farmers, and ho was sure that they were all satisfied that the value of land bad not advanced in proportion to the increase of the taxation of the colony. He did not approve of tho present mode of appointing assessors. Tiie valuer may come along and assess your value very high, and then, if you object, he can say, well, wo will take it at that, and perhaps you do not wish to part with your home. Farmers should bo better represented on assessment boards than they are at present. There were at present 5,000,000 acros of land in tho hands of the natives, and they should not be allowed to let it remain idle. In alluding to the Land for Settlement Bill and occupation of land generally, Mr. Massey said there were some people who thought-the Government' should bo the universal landlord, but he did not hold with that opinion, as he was a strong believer in a man having a freehold. Eaoh session there came before tho

House a Local Government Bill, and the one of last session to supposed to put all local management on a bettor footing, but on a conference being held over it, there were so many alterations made in it that it was dropped. It was propoosd to . considerably alter the franchise, bur he could not support iff, as ho believed that only ratepayers should have the spending of ratepayers' money. A poll of ratepayers should be taken before any change is made for merging road boards in county councils. Reading, markets for our products, there was no doubt the Federal tariff would do us harm, so we must look elsewhere. South Africa can take a deal of it, but the drawback in sending there was that there was no return cargo that we require, so it made it more expensive sonding. our produce there; and with wool gone so low, and frozen meat falling in price in the Home market, it did not lo''k over bright certainly at the present time. Our dairy produce was in high demand, but with the great competition for the buttp; trade from all parts of the world, wo must naturally expeot a period of depression in that line, when we may not be able to command as good a price as at present. He was not now exactly speaking to them as their member, but as a member of the Farmers' Union, to which he believed most of them belonged for lie was glad to say that the Farmers' Union had caught on, and he believed at the present time it numbered at least 20,000. It used to be said that farmers _ would not combine, but they had been driven to it by all other bodies having their unions, which aro not generally in favour of the farmer. At one of the Arbitration Courts the load or of a trades union was asked how people could pay the prices that would be charged for boots and leather goods if their demands were granted. His reply was, " Tho farmer mast be paid less for his hides." If farmers will not combine they must suffer. The feeling of the members of the Hons.} was changed a good deal since the movement was started, as (armors used to be almost ignored by some members, but now members make an effort to speak so as to please that large section of (he community, now that there was a bond of union. He wished to see the Farmers' Union a big success, and he hoped the Mauku branch would become a power in the land, and help to do good for the colony. In conclusion, Mr. Masaey said ho had endeavoured to keep clear of party polities as much as possible, and if there was any further information required, he should bo glad to answer any questions.' (Applause.)

Several questions were asked and answered in a satisfactory manner. Mr. Nicholls proposed, and Mr. W. Wright seconded, ; " That this meeting of farmers strongly protests against the dismissal of men from the Main Trunk railway, it being a work of national importance, and a necessity to the progress of New Zealand." Carried unanimously. Mr. H. Grispe proposed, Mr. James Finlay seconded, "That this meeting of farmers protests against the increase in Departmental expenditure, and especially against the recent increase of salaries to Ministers and members of Parliament." The resolution was passed unanimously." Mr. W. T. Wright proposed a voto of thanks to our membor, Mr. Massey, for his very instructive and interesting address. The resolution was soconded by Mr. Henry, and adopted unanimously. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated a largo and representative meeting.—[Own Correspondent.]