AUCKLAND'S FARMERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15613, 20 May 1914, Page 10

AUCKLAND'S FARMERS.

CONFERENCE OPENS TO-DAY,

MATTES S FOR DISCUSSION.

NeaKLT 120 delegates are expected to be present at the three-days' conference of the Auckland Provincial Council of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, which opens today in the Chamber of Commerce Buildings. A number of the delegates arrived yesterday.

The conference, over which Major Luis (provincial president) will preside, will be inaugurated by the annual meeting of tba Farmers' Trading Association, which will commence at 10 a.m. It is stated that the business of this preliminary meeting will be conducted in committee. The real business of the conference is timed to begin at 2 p.m. The Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) had hoped' to be able to attend the conference in his capacity as Minister for Agriculture, but is prevented from doing no by his duties in Wellington. Representatives are expected from' the i Agricultural and Veterinary Departments : in Wellington, and they will deliver ad- < dresses on; matters of special interest to the agricultural community. A feature of Friday's session will be in address, which has been promised by Mr. H. G. Hill (general manager for the Bristol and Dominions' Producers' ■ Association m New Zealand), on matters connected with the export of produce.- Several additional remits have been received from provincial branches of the union. The insertion in native 'least's of a clause compelling the lessee to improve hi? land to the extent c! 5 per cent, of the area per annum, is recommended by the Mangaoronga branch. The number of remits forwarded by the Tanetua branch is seven. The branch recommends that the Government be urged to open up Urewera lands; to expedite the construction of a railway between Twiranga and Opotiki; to erect an up-to-date college for factory managers on lines familiar in Canada; and to undertake the breeding of approve-) dairy stock for the purpose of supplying farmers' wants, at a reasonable rate to cover cost. The same branch desires thai quail " shall be declared a nuisance and speedily exterminated." From this executive comes the following recommendations regarding the scheme of experimental plots:—"That the plots be of considerably larger area and more generally distributed: that an experienced farmer be Delected to conduct experiments, and that lie be remunerated for his services and loss of time; that the work be conducted under the control and instructions of a Departmental officer; and.that th 6 experiments extend over a period of at least four years." In regard to Customs duties, the executive recommends:—"That this conference urge the Dominion Executive to watch closely any attempt by interested parties to further increase the Customs duties on farmers' requirements, and to take every opportunity to press for reductions and removals of any duties which place undue burdens on the farming industry."