NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION.
The second national conference of the Now Zealand Fanners’ Union commenced at the Museum Buildings yesterday morning. The president (Mr J. G. Wilson, of Balls) presided. Mr G. W. Leadley (Ashburton) is vice-president, and the following twenty-four delegates have been, appointed by the different provincial executives :—Auckland —J. G. Rutherford (Pukekolie), T. W. P. Smith (Kaitaia), E. Morgan (Papakura Valley), L. R. Phillips (Woodhill). Taranaki —Boddie (Eltliam), Burgess (Warea), C. Leach (Stratford), provincial president. Poverty Bay—W. Acland-Hood. Hawke’s Bay—A. 11. Russell, M. Tansey. Wellington—J. G. Wilson (Bulls), W. J. Birch (Moawliango), W. M'atheson, H. J. Richards (Te Horo). Nelson—George Chisnall. Marlborough—H’Arcy Chaytor. North Canterbury—G. W. Leadley (Ashburton), H. F. Reece (Rangiora). South Canterbury—W. S. Maslin (Temuka), Edward Acton. Otago— H. Buckland (Palmerston) Allan Orlbel'l (Wiaikouaitij). Southland—John McQueen, J. Milne. The honorary treasurer is Mr A. E. Russell and Mr W. Hunter is general secretary. The order paper this year has been considerably purged by the provincial executives pruning down and classifying the remits of branches. As it comes before the conference it contains only sixty-five resolutions, as against twice as many last year. There are also more than a dozen motions to be discussed bearing on the rules of the union, the platform and the political status. A number of the motions to be disrcussed are merely affirming resolutions of the. last national conference. Among the moist important at the present time are the following:—Southland— That branches of the Farmers’ Union throughout New Zealand should urge their several representatives in Parliament to oppose any fresh legislation that may be introduced making it compulsory that unionists should have the preference of employment in Arbitrat-
tion Court awards. Otago, Taranaki* South Canterbury That the union protest against tho suggested proposals that the Parliamentary roll be the basis of the local bodies’ elections. Auckland —That the attention of the Government be drawn to the danger at railway level crossings caused by plantation and live fences preventing persons seeing approaching trains. Wellington —That the Land Act of 1892 be administered giving option of free tenures. Wellington —That the Government not to have the power to withhold any privilege given by the Act-. Wellington—That the right of obtaining the freehold bo extended to Crown tenants, provided conditions of lease have been fulfilled, and that the price bo the capital value of the rental upon a o per cent, calculation. laranaki—That a protest be made against tiie present method of disposing of Crown lands by ballot, substituting some other method of disposal, and eliminating the element of duplication of applications. Taranaki —That the present co>-operativo labour system or carrying out public works is unsatisfactory', and should be replaced wherever possible by a system of small contracts. South Canterbury—That the 'Government be urged to amend the constitution of the Conciliation and Arbitration Court by providing for an additional member, directly representing agricultural interests. Poverty' Bay also Auckland —That tho conference urge upon the Government the necessity of effecting the speedy settlement of native lands of Auckland Province. Taranaki —That the conference protests against the importation of deer or other animals, or birds, to be let loose, which might bo injurious to farmers. Taranaki, Auckland —That all goods of British manufacture, growth or production carried to this colony in British vessels should be admitted at a substantial reduction upon the present Customs tariff, and that the Farmers’Union make a supreme effort to remove as far as possible all fiscal obstructions to trade between this colony and Great Britain, but will oppose any increase of duty on foreign goods. Wellington, Southland, North Cantexbury—That any increase of Customs duties proposed for the further protection of local manufacturers should bo resisted. Wellington —That tlio. question of placing a prohibitive tariff on shoddy be considered by the conference. Poverty Bay—That the conference support the proposed Bill to enable mutual fire and accident insurance companies to be formed. Taranaki— That the conference invites the fullest power of the union to resist the single tax. Taranaki—That the conference protests against the irregularity of the present system of levying land and income tax, by which incomes up to £3OO are exempt, whilst land to £SOO ini value only is exempt. North Canterbury—That in the opinion of this conference the agitation for a State hank is not in the best interests of the Colony. Wellington—That the Provincial Executive submit by way of referendum to branches questions of general importance to farmers. In the matter of the politics of the union, the Poveriy Bay Union will move that the Farmers’ Union take a stronger position in politics, which are not necessarily of a party character, and that Parliamentary candidates should not be asked to answer more than two questions of vital importance.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Mail, Issue 1636, 8 July 1903, Page 32
Word Count
789NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION. New Zealand Mail, Issue 1636, 8 July 1903, Page 32
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