DOMINION FARMERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17268, 18 September 1919, Page 8

DOMINION FARMERS.

UNION CONFERENCE.

MANY REMITS CARRIED. NATIVE LAND QUESTION. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The Dominion Farmers' Union conference was continued to-day. Mr. W. D. Lysnar moved :"That the Government be urged to deal at once with all unoccupied Crown and native lands, as they are a source of danger to neigh-' Louring occupiers by fostering noxious weeds and rabbits. That natives be encouraged to cultivate their remaining land by extending to them the advantage of loans under the Advances to Settlers Act on terms and conditions similar to the advances made to European settlers, and , that the land held under the native freehold title be accepted as sufficient security. That practical farmers be appointed as instructors and paid by the State." Mr. R. Dunn (Taranaki) was granted permission to couple with the remit a resolution "That the attention of the Government be drawn to the need of something being done to help and induce natives to farm and increase production on thei» land." Both remits were carried. The Auckland Union proposed that the native land laws be consolidated and so remodelled as to prevent the retarding of ■ production and the proper roading and railing of the country, and for the checking of purely speculative dealing in native lands. The remit further suggested that where the Crown has to make and construct roads, or to construct roads already proclaimed or reserved through lands whioh are blocking the proper development of the country, such lands should be charged with their fair proportion of such work, according to the benefit derived, in the same manner as if such expenditure had been made by way. of loan to the Native Land Board or local body, with provision for the recovery of interest and sinking fund charges. The remit was adopted. The Urewera Country. Upon the motion_of the Auckland union, the conference decided to urge the Government to acquire and open up native land in the Urewera country at the earliest possible moment. On behalf of the Eawke's Bay union Mr. J. H. Joll moved: "That the time has arrived when native lands served by roads or railways, and held by natives, should pay the same taxes as the land held by Europeans." The remit was carried. A select committee made the following recommendations: — That the cutting up of large estates by compulsory repurchase at fair values is in the best interests of the country. That suburban lands be cut up and roaded, and houses built for workers to purchase on time payment. That the principle governing these proposals shall be the freehold Housing of Employees. A resolution of the committee on capital and labour was adopted with the followin" addition: " That it should be im pressed on the farming community that proper and convenient homes must be provided for employees. In order that this can be done power should be given to County Councils to advance borrowed money for the building of these homes on farms for the use of employees, such money to be secured by a special rate on the property concerned." The following remits were adopted:— That in view of the present position whereby middlemen are exploiting both producer and consumer, and the position i« seriously misunderstood, particularly by the working-class consumer, a literature committee should be set up, consisting of representatives of Labour and the Farmers' Union to compile leaflets showing the conditions of trade as shown by the costs of production and the prices received by the producers, the cost of distribution, and the prices charged to consumers, to be given the widest circulation. Further that each provincial conference arrange for a conference between labour unions and farmers. Loans Free of Income Tax, That the Dominion Conference expresses its disapproval of the system of issuing loans free of income tax, as the inevitable result of such a system will be to throw a wider burden of the coming heavy war taxation on 'farmers. That a committee be set up to draw up questions it would recommend provincial executives to put to all candidates for election as members of Parliament, with a view to safeguarding the interests of the producing community and in the best interests of the Dominion, it to be understood that any executive may add or omit any question it may desire. The Board of Trade Bill.. The special committee appointed to consider the new Board of Trade Bill reported that it was opposed to the principle of price fixing, but, if legislation was necessary in connection with combines or to prevent profiteering it made the following suggestions: — That two members of the Board of Trade be direct representatives of the primary industries, one to be nominated by the Farmers' Union and the other by the Sheep Owners' Federation and Agricultural and Pastoral Associations; that a majority of the board shall be present at any inquiry : that no one other than a member of the board shall have power on the board; that when an inquiry is to be held the same shall be advertised, setting forth fully the subject of the inquiry, and invitin" those interested to give evidence ; that if any party interested felt a grievance at the prices of the Board of Trade such party shall have the right of appeal to the Supreme Court." The conference adopted the report and ordered that copies be distributed among members of Parliament. °