FARMING INTERESTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18707, 13 May 1924, Page 7

FARMING INTERESTS

—: . PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE. REMITS FOR CONSIDERATION WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS. Remits ... for . consideration ati the twenty-fourth annual provincial conference of the Farmers'. Union, which'willbe opened in Auckland on June 10, total 65. A number of them, including four dealing with land settlement and immigration, were , carried at the last conference, and are to be presented for reaffirmation. Among remits relating to taxation lis one from the > executive urging that the companies' income tax be abolished •' and replaced by the individual income tax. The objection of the executive to duties and embargoes on poultry and stock foods is also affirmed. It is suggested that the stamp , duty on mortgages be reviewed, with the object of giving relief to mortgagors, especially in view of the impending removal of the moratorium. A remit from Otorohanga proposes that no duty be imposed for protective purposes and. one from Cambridge suggests that the principle of time limitation on all protective tariffs be adopted. Remits relating to politics affirm the desirability, of forming a country political party; and. suggest the adoption of the. preferential system of voting: With regard to finance, the Government is urged to ; pass legislation , toy enable farmers to establish ' agricultural banks. The necessity of continuing the progressive policy of advances on farm mortgages :* as adopted by the State Advances Office during the past year is also urged. Under, the heading of ; co-operative marketing, the suggestion is made that the ward system be adopted for the election of members of the meat and dairy control boards. It is also suggested that action bo taken to get into touch with producers' organisations in all producing countries with the object of jointly controlling the handling and marketing of produce in all the leading markets to prevent exploitation. ' * '' The miscellaneous remits range over a wide field. The executive urges that efforts be made to establish an agricultural college ~at Ruakura; that more assistance be given to maternity homes and nurses for outlying districts and that the Government be urged to bring in legislation- facilitating the collection of rates due on native lands. The afforestation of Crown-owned ' gum lands 'in North Auckland in - areas up to 50 «. acres is suggested, and the employment of prison and reformatory labour in planting trees on Crown land and abandoned sections is urged. That the Government be urged to establish a course in veterinary science at th& University ;of "New Zealand to enable New ; Zealanders to obtain the . necessary training and diploma as veterinary surgeons is a;remit from the Bay of Islands executive.