FARMERS’ UNION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5603, 1 June 1905, Page 7

FARMERS’ UNION.

WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE. (From Our Special Reporter.) WANGANUI, May 31. The provincial conference of the Farmers’ Union resumed this morning. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Sir Carman moved that Mr J. G. Wilson be re-elected president. It was chiefly owing to him that the Union was in its present position, and it was particularly necessary in this year of the general elections that one so -experienced should be at the head of the organisation. Captain Hewitt seconded the motion, which was carried with acclamation.

Mr Wilson said he knew- a great number of gentlemen who would fill the posit.on with equal ability and tact. (Voices: “No.”) The assistance received from all the members of tho executive had boon very great indeed. If they thought ho could still be of service he would be pleased to place himself at their disposal. (.Applause.) lie hoped, however, that next year they would make up their minds to appoint someone else. Mr Cooper eaid he believed the colony lost the services of a very able man when Mr Wilson retired from Parliament. Mr Wilson was unanimously elected, and thanked for his past services. Mr Jackson moved and Mr Noilson seconded the election of Mr J. C, Cooper as vice-president. The president expressed indebtedness of the union to the late vice-president Mr D. Peat, . to whom a vote of thanks was accorded. Returning thanks for his election Mr Cooper said If they wore going to run this country as a pure republic, for that was the spirit of the day, then the young men must educate themselves to get on a public platform and deliver addresses on behalf of their fellow farmers. The most useful and effective method of organisation was by member© of the executive going round and personally delivering addresses. Mr W. Stubbs (Palmerston North), who took over the duties of treasurer on tho departure of Mr A. E. Russell for England, was elected treasurer. Messrs Hodder and Aldrich wore appointed auditors.

The delegates to the national council will be:—Messrs W. J. Birch, J. C. Cooper and 11. J- RichardsThe following executive was elected: Messrs John Peat (Waitotara), W. J. Birch (Marten), F. Hockley (Hunterville), Carman (Waituna West), Jackson (Kim* bolton), H- J. Richards (To Haro), D. K. Hewitt (Palmerston North), Wheeler (Fcilding), A. Roberton (Mangamahu), 11. ID. Buchanan (Kumoroa), T. Moss (Eketahuna). Quirk (Konini), and W. Perry (Masterton). SHEEP-DIPPING AND WORRYING. Mr McKenzie (Rongotea) moved, pro forma;—'‘That the time for sheep dipping be extended/' Mr Faulkner seconded the motion, stating that Hio lack of water in some localities extension necessary. Mr Cooper thought the motion would only give careless.fanners an opportunity of putting off . dipping to the last minute. The motion was lost. Mr Jackson (ICimbolton) moved: That it be compulsory for owners of dogs to see that all registered dogs wear the collars with registered number and name of local body issuing sarao. Mr Watson said the trouble was caused not by farmers' dogs but by dogs kept in towns by labourers and artisans. The motion was carried. Mr Nevins (Tenui i moved: —• That agricultural statistics be collected through the post in the same manner as sheep returns. The mover said the cost of collection at present was between five, and six thousand pounds. It could be don© cheaper through the post. The president referred to a statement of the Secretary for Agriculture that judging by the manner in which the sheep returns wore sent in collection by post would not be a success. The motion was carried. VETERINARY SURGEONS. Mr Nevins (Tenui) moved the Government bo askod to make all their veterinary surgeons available to stockowners at a small charge. Mr Neilson (Wanganui) moved an amendment, which was accepted by the mover, that the charge should be the actual cost to the Department. Mr Wheeler objected to recommending a course that would' entail the appointment of an army of veterinarians. The motion was thrown out, AUCTION SALES. Mr Woolfenden (Shannon) moved: That an endeavour be made to abolish the practice known as "trotting" at auctions. Ho suggested the drafting of an agreement to -which there would be no difficulty in obtaining signatures. The only trouble would be with the dealers. The motion was killed. TELEPHONES. / Mr Nevins (Tenui) moved:—That the Department .be asked to keep all Government telephones in use in country houses in repair free of charge, and also - that the subscriptions for the same be reduced and the service be extended.— Agreed to. ORGANISATION AND FINANCE. The conference wa s engaged for three hours in committee considering a complete organisation scheme, which was approved. ~ The graduated levy proposals printed were withdrawn, and the following resolution was passed; < —That the national council be asked to amend rule 10 so that there be a uniform levy for national and provincial requirements; that branches should be recommended to raise a graduated subscription, in whichever way suits them best, that after setting aside sufficient for branch purposes the balance be paid to the provincial executive for organisation purposes. POLITICAL ACTIVITY. Mr Guthrie (Rangawahia) moved "That the time has arrived when the union should take a firmer stand in the political arena, and at tho coming election should seek to use its fullest influence in support of the platform, and that with this end in view, a committee should be set up in each electorate to select a candidate, if advisable, and take other steps. Mr Guthrie contended that the union had ©very right to support those who subscribed to its platform.= Mr Carman, in seconding the motion, said the time had come when the opinions of the union should be voiced on the floor of the House—that was the only way in which their interests could be properly fostered. An Oppositionist or a follower of the Government could be supported by the union if ho was prepared to support it. Mr Richards said they wanted to frame short, concise questions for candidates so as to get straight-out answers. He suggested referring the matter to the National Executive. Tho conference adjourned for dinner at 5.30 p.m. THE NEW VICE-PRESIDENT. Mr J. Cooper, who has been elected to the position of vice-president, is a New Zealander in every respect except that he was born in England, He came to New Zealand as an infant, and was brought up in Christchurch, where he completed his ' education at tho Boys' High School. For niue’months ho served as a clerk in a mercantile office, and then, dissatisfied with tho life, he went to work on a Canterbury farm. About 1890. two years before the Land for Settlements Act was passed, the Pioneer Small .Farms Association was formed in Cbristchnrch. and tho chairman (Mr Cooper), then twenty-one years old came to the North Island as a delegate to nick out a piece cf country. Land was selected in the Wairarapa district, ten miles from Alauriceville, and twenty-two settlers took up sections of 200 acres each. A few years later, when Sir John McKenzie visited the district, he, said the settlement’ was the most progressive of

its kind in the colony. Almost all of the selectors are still in the district. Mr Cooper was a member of the first Mauriceville Countv Council, and has been chairman of the Mauriceville branch of tne Farmers' Union since its inception. He has acted on the Provincial and National Executives, and was a delegate to tho last national conference. At last general election, Mr Cooper stood as a Farmers’ Union candidate in opposition to Mr A. W. Hogg, and ho will again oppose the present administration at the forthcoming election. Last year. Hr Cooper conducted a vigorous campaign on the land question, THE QUESTION OF POLITICS. After considerable discussion it was decided at the evening sitting on the motion of Mr Guthrie:—That the time has arrived when the Union should take a firmer stand in political matters, and at tho coming elections should seek to exert its fullest influence in support of its platform, and with this end in view the matter should be referred to the national conference to devise concerted action throughout the colony. On tho motion of Mr Carman it was decided:—That branches bo urged to see that all eligible are on the electoral roll for their districts. IMPORTED TIMBER. Mr Kevins (Tenui) moved for Kaitawa: —That tho union object to any increased duty being put on imported timbers. It was outrageous, tho mover said, that duty should be put on to prevent firstclass timbers being brought into tho country. v Mr Quirk said high prices were caused by Millers’ Associations. Mr Tansey said timber could be landed at Wellington from Vancouver cheaper than from Dannevirke. It would be a bad thing to allow the country to be flooded with cheap timber (voices: “No.”) Still he believed timber was too dear in New Zealand, Mr Ncilson said fhe platform was against taxation for protection. Mr Richards said anything the union could do to cheapen timber to farmers they should. Sawmillers wore one of the biggest curses some of them had ever had. / Mr McGregor, who was a sawmiller, did not want protection. lie was a freetrader. If an industry could not stand on its own bottom it was time to shut up. The president said he understood from the experience of one sawmiller he knew that the association was not to blame. The motion was carried. TREE-PLANTING.

Mr Nevins (Tenui) moved:—That with a view to encourage tho planting of suitable timber, shelter and other trees, all plantations of not iess than on© acre bo exempted from general and local taxation until such time as they become reproductive, and bo not included in valuation for tho assessment of rent. Ho believed there would never bo satisfactory tree-planting where there was no freehold. The president stated that timber was not taxed for general rates. The motion was carried. IMPORTED BONES. Mr Richards (Te Horo) moved: That the Government bo urged to absolutely prohibit the importation of bones or bone-dust in any form whatever from India, Australia or any country affected Vitli anthrax until efficient sterlisation is provided for in tho colony. Mr Cooper thought there was. no absolute certainty of preventing the spread of anthrax unless tho bones were put through works in our own country. The president said it had been proved on the experimental form in the Waikato that turnips and rape could be grown just as well with manures which did not harbour tho germs of anthrax. The motion was carried. NAVAL defence. Mr Birch (Marton) moved; —That, in view of the enormous expense entailed on Groat Britain for the defence of the Empire of which w© form a part, this union is of the opinion that our Legislature .should show a generous spirit m support of her naval to which we owe our security from foreign aggreaTho motion was carried with acclamatlon' CELEBRATION DAY. Mr Jackson (Kimbolton) moved: That branches be urged to organise an annual gathering in conjunction with the public schools in their districts on some suitable dato during the year. Carried, TPMM® INSPECTION. Mr McKenzie (Rongotea) moved; That the inspection feo on boilers be reduced with regard to the dairying industry.—Carried. A SILENT VOTE. Mr Woolfend-r submitted a j motion, which he said he had been asked by Mr A MacDonald, of Shannon, two hours before his death to place before the conference. It dealt with land taxation, and was passed without discussion. FRUIT PESTS. Mr Manson (Mangatainoka) moved: That legislation bo introduced for more adequate protection against the diffusion of fruit blights and pests through the sale and consumption of diseased fruit. —Agreed to. MISCELLANEOUS. It was made a recommendation to the provincial executive to levy next year a sufficient sum to cover the expenses of the proposed organisation. . Tho provincial conference next year will be held at Pahiatna. It was decided that the Education Board districts ought to be divided into ridings, to provide for satisfactory rePr D S nring 10 tjie afternoon Mr Gilruth, Chief Government Veterinarian, gave an address on “Abortion in Cows, ’ after which ho replied to a number of questions, and received a vote of thanks. Certain matters were dealt with in committee, and tho following resolutions were passed:— • , (X) That the platform be so amended as to give a more definite expression to tho union's opinion on great public questions and that tho following plank be added:— That all means shall be taken to resist any stops in the direction of nationalisation of the land or other industries. ... . ~ (2) That the travelling expenses of the members of the executive should be paid when attending an executive meeting when the fufids permit. (3) That branches fix their own honorary members' subscriptions. Tho ' usual complimentary votes of thanks were passed,, and the conference terminated at 10.15. p.m.