FARMERS’ CONFERENCE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1682, 25 May 1904, Page 62

FARMERS’ CONFERENCE

THE LAND QUESTION,

~ HAWERA, May 19. At the Farmers’ Conference to-day, the f ollowing resolutions were carried That the Agricultural Department be requested to carry out the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act in respect to all Crown and native lands, as well as those held by private owners, Crown and other tenants. That this branch is opposed to the importation of raw bone that is brought in a condition to convey anthrax germs. That the following clause be inserted in the proposed Fertiliser Bill: —“That all imported bones, bone-dust, or other fertilisers containing animal refuse shall be legibly branded with the word ‘lmported, ’ or ‘Made from imported material,’ as the case may be.” That it be a recommendation that as each separate provincial mutual fire insurance association is-formed, it should amalgamate, with other provincial mutual fire insurance associations formed, so far as to allow, for the establishment of a general insurance fund or the distribution of risks and for the engagement of a general inspector or manager. That the Workers’ Compensation Act be repealed where it affects farmers. That any further concessions to employees under the Employers’ Liability Act which would' increase the liability of an employer be strenuously opposed. That this branch is convinced that when rural Crown lands are thrown open for selection, the provisions of the Land Act 1892, should be carried out, so that selectors may have a choice of tenure, as provided, viz., purchase for cash, lease with right of purchase, and lease-in-perpetuity. That- all Crown tenants have the right to acquire the freehold or retain the leasehold, as preferred. That this branch protest against the maladministration of the- present Land Act by the Government in not offering Crown lands recently put up in the Taranaki district with the option of purcll&SG Hie' desirability of encouraging the immigration of suitable persons to occupy waste lands of the colony. That the endeavours of the union to obtain for all Crown tenants or tenants under the West Coast Settlements Reserve Act the right to secure the freehold be strenuously continued, and. if need be, to circulate a petition in that direction for signature by all landholders throughout the colony, but that at the same time it may be' made clear that any Act passed for the purpose should contain' a provision to prevent the obtaining “Of a title by anyone to a greater area of land affected by the Act than is provided under the present jLand Acts.

That an effort be made to secure the proceeds from the land tax as county revenue. iThat the proposal to divide auctioneers’ licenses between the Borough and County. Council be affirmed. That Harbour Boards be elective in districts where the land tax is levied. That any attempt to alter the present franchise with regard to counties and road boards be determinedly opposed. , That the law be amended so as to allow of appeals being made against the decisions of the Land Board. That the conference be asked to use every endeavour to resist any attempt on the part of the Government to alter the voting on local bodies in the way of extending the franchise beyond actual ratepayers. . That this branch is convinced that preference in tariff between the colony and the United Kingdom should be by way of reduction of duty, and not by increase against foreign countries. Following officers were elected President, Mr J. Boddie; vice-presi-dent, Mi- Forsyth; auditor, Mr J. Parlane; provincial' executive, Messrs Thomson, Davidson, Ibbotsen, Maxwell, Limbrick Allen, Vouillaire, Baker, Martin; delegates to Colonial Conference, Messrs Forsyth and Burgess. A resolution was unanimously adoptA ed, sympathising with the Premier in his ill-health, and trusting that he will soon bo restored. ; the masterton meeting. THE PURCHASE OF PRIVATE LANDS. ' INCREASE ON UNIMPROVED / ■. , VALUE. ::V/V;A' (From Oul- Special Correspondent.) ' PALMERSTON, May 19. The order paper for the*Wellington ■ Provincial Conference of the lai-meis Union, to be held at Masterton on the 24th inst., has just been compiled. There are a very large number of noi ’tices of motion dealing comprehensively with legislation affecting agricultural interests. Amongst the motions on the Aland question are A -Moved by the Featherston Branch. — That it is against the true progress of the colony to spend large sums of money purchasing lands for settlement whilst the Government lias four million acves of Crown lands suitable for the purpose. By Palmerston North: — That the union views with dissatisfaction the great increase placed on the

unimproved value of lands throughout the colony, and urges that one of the assessors of the Assessment Court be appointed by the Farmers’ Union. Dealing with grants to local bodies, Pahiatua moves:-—That grants placed on the Estimates he expended on or before the 31st March in each year. Featherston:—That the Loans to Local Bodies Act he amended to permit local bodies to borrow money to provide for road machinery. The noxious weeds question is introduced by a motion from Pohangina:— That Grown and native lands he brought under the Noxious Weeds Act. Pahiatua:—That the Government clear the railway and othor reserves from noxious weeds, and that County Councils and Road Boards keep the roads under their control clear of noxious weeds. -Masterton moves to amend the Fencing Act as follows: —(1) That boundary fences when erected be kept clear of undergrowth; (2) chat as fencing material is now more difficult, and, consequently, more costly to procure, the maximum amount'per chain allowed by the Act in case of failure of the adjoining owner to erect ins portion of the boundary fence in the time prescribed be increased accordingly; (3) that rabbit-proof fencing in rabbit-infested districts be brought under the provisions of the Fencing Act. Other matters to be dealt with are the early establishment of an experimental station and dairying school it* the most accessible centre of the North Island; discussion of the London wooi charges; legislation to deal with the de struction of all dogs at large before or after certain hours on account of the great increase in sheep-worrying; mutual fire insurance and the proposed removal of the sheep tax. Pahiatua moves a motion affecting immigration, and asking the Government to grant free immigration to girls suitable for domestic service. Marton and Feilding move :—That a Parliamentary Vigilance Committee be set up to watch legislation during the coming session.