FARMERS & POLITICS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7872, 7 August 1911, Page 9

FARMERS & POLITICS

AN ECHO OF THE RECENT CONFERENCE.

PRESS ASSOCIATION. TPM A RU. August 5. Mr John Talbot, president of the South Canterbury Farmers’ Union executive, and delegate to the recent conference, in reporting to a well-attended meeting the work of the conference, stated that he had opposed a proposal to form a farmers’ political party. As this was carried he offered to resign the chairmanship if members favoured taking a political stand. It was unanimously resolved that Mr Talbot took up tne right attitude towards tho proposal, though ho stood alono at tho conference in opposing it, and would not hoar of his resignation.

Mr Buxton. M.P., waited on tho meeting and asked for an expression of opinion to guide liim in presenting a Bill to Parliament to raise tho New Zealand tariff on agricultural produce to tho level of that of Australia. It was unfair that New Zealand should allow Australian grain and flour to enter at a cheaper rate than tho trade permitted. In another way the present tariff was a handicap to tho producers and indirectly to the workers. A motion was passed approving of the proposed measure. It was also decided to ask Mr Buxton and other local members to oppose Mr A. W. Hogg’s Bill for tho abolition ot duties ou agricultural jiroduco and inill stuffs.