N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17317, 17 May 1918, Page 8

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

OTAGO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. At tho annual conference of the Otago Provincial Council of tho New Zealand farmers' Union, to bo held on Thursday, May 30, tho following proposals, amongst others, will bo submitted:— By Mr A. Fiaser (Lawrence): "That t.ho Government be urged to push forward anorestation, especially witn regard to quick-growing 'trees, with a view to supplying the needs of the dairying and Iruit industries on land unsuitable for other purposes." w Thomas M'Donald (Palmerston): i'hat, in view of the possible shortage of coal, and also in view of the largo demand for nitrogen for fertiliser purposes, tho Goveriiment bo urged to proceed at tho earliest possible moment with - its eoheme for harnessing tho water-power of tho dominion." By Mr J. D. Rodger (Pomaliaka): "That, 't seems to be generally recognised that the Moat Trust is getting a rather serious hold in thia dominion, tliis conference urges both tho Dominion Conference and tho Government to take this flatter up vigorously, and endeavour to curtail its activities before getting too strong a hold, as it has done in other countries." . By Mr Jasper Olarko (Milton): " (a) It is suggested tnat the Now Zealand Government (which represents the consumers), in conjunction with representatives of the producers and trade, should control tho export trade of th© dominion, so as to ensure adequate supplies being maintained in the country lor local consumption, and sliould hx the price of meat from time to timo based on Imperial values. Also, that this conference considers that the retention after tho war of tie captured German Paciiic possessions i 3 vital to tho welfare of New Zealand and Australia.'" ~ Mr Juhn Christie (Warepa): "That tlie .t armers' Union protests strongly against the purchase by tho Government of large estates for subdivision and settlement by returned soldiers when thero are large areas of Crown land available for settloment. If, however, special circumstances should necessitate the purchase of improved land for soldiers' settlements, the Government should, wherever possible, purchase the land from those farmers who aro called up for military service, and aro thereby compelled to sell their farms. That, before any land is offered for selection by returned soldiers, tlie Government bo requested to have all such lands properly roaded, drained, and fenced, and put in such order that the successful applicants have every chance of making a living immediately on occupation. Also, that tho government tako into consideration the advisability of acquiring, when the price of shipping becomes normal, a fleet of State-owned vessels as a means whereby the producer and consumer of New Zealand products may be brought into direct contact and as a set-off against any trust which may try to get control of the New Zealand meat or other produce markets" By Mr P. A, Watt (Balclutha): "'( a ) lnat the Farmers' Union protest most emphatically against the issue of war loan scrip on a ' free of income tax' basis, as we are convinced that it will result in the wealthy bondholders evading their due share of the present and future heavy taxation, the burden of such thereby falling with increased severity upon those who are less able to bear it. Moreover, whereas tho nominal rate of interest is 4£ per cent., the ' free of income tax' concession, with its further effect upon the graduated income tax, results in the actual rate of interest being not less than 6£ per cent., which is a distinct injustice to holders of the 5 per cent, taxable issue." r % Mr R. Wilson (Lauder, Becks): lnat, as practically all the farmers' products have been requisitioned and the price fixed, we call upon the Government to protect us from exploitation by taking steps to chcck tho rapidly-increasing price of materials and machinery which are essential 'to us for tho maintenance of production. That, as the Government has fixed the prico _of wheat for the producer, the price to tlie coneumer should "also bo fixed to prevent exploitation." (( By Mr .George Aitoheson (Kaitnngata): "That this conference emnhatically protests against tho reprehensible attitude of tho Government in retaining, after over three years of war, persons of alien or enemy descent in responsible positions in tho public service." " (< By Mr W. S. D. Trotter (Hillgrove): That this conference views with alarm the numqer of First Division reservists who r.ro evading WBiitarv s6rvico, more especially now in view of tlie fact that the Second Division is being called up; and it :s the feeling of this conference that the property of such deserters should be confiscated, and tho proceeds pooled for the benefit of returned soldiers." By Mr A. Craig (Greenfield): "That the Government be asked to abandon Territorial camps until after the war."