NEW COUNTRY PARTY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19258, 23 August 1924, Page 2

NEW COUNTRY PARTY.

NOT NEEDED IN PARLIAMENT. REFORM’S FINE RECORD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 23. An announcement was telegraphed from Auckland that another attempt was being made to form a country party to take the field at the next General Election. The suggestion is conveyed that the reason for the new party is the neglect of the Prime Minister adequately to attend to the interests of the agricultural community. Farmers’ parties are not new, but so far they have uot made much progress in New Zealand. It is said that there is likely to be very strong opposition to the formation of the party among the agriculturists themselves, to whom the Prime Minister will have a considerable record to produce. It is understood that one of the first things which will he put up to the Country Party is the. legislation passed since the advent to power of Mr Massey dealing with the land laws. This legislation—freehold in principle, gave lessees the right to acquire the fee simple for cash or on deferred payment of pastoral runs which are not national endowments, of small grazing runs of Crown or settlement land, and of perpetual leases under the Land Act, 18S5, as also of the l.i.p. holdings of settlement land. There has also been passed legislation making provision in connection with the suh-division of grazing leases for the protection of the rights of the lessee to his improvements, and for his occupation of such an allotment as he may select for the subdivision for 21 years, with the right of perpetual renewal for a further term of 21 years. It will also be shown that Mr Massey has liberalised tho terms of the purchase of Crown and settlement lands, and in remodelling the native land laws has made the acquisition of the native lands easier, and placed the relationship between tho Maori and the pakcha on a much better footing of recent years. The Board of Agriculture has been established, and it will be claimed that this body has done good work for the farmers and for tho country generally. In connection with the Department of Agriculture there has been provided an agricultural instruction service in the main producing centres of the dominion, a service which co-operates with the Farmers’ Union in disseminating useful information by correspondence and by direct contact with the farmers in meetings, outdoor demonstrations, field days, and illustrated addresses, and also in promoting crop-grow-ing competitions among boys and girls attending schools. The milk-testing schemes have been extended, and wheat-growers have been guaranteed a minimum price for their wheat. During the war arrangements were made with the Imperial authorities for the purpose of the farmers’ meat, wool, butter, cheese, and other produce, arrangements which resulted in tho payment of over £160,000 to the primary producers. Land was exempted from taxation when it was mortgaged up to £6OOO in value. The Nauru and ocean purchases have given an almost inexhaustible supply of phosphate manures at a rate lower than otherwise would have been possible. Meat and butter control have been established, and fruit control is contemplated. In addition to all this the bnrdon of land tax has been lightened by the granting of tho 10 per cent, rebate, and the keeping of tn« country’s credit at a high level has enabled the dominion to obtain the cheapest money available in the London market. With this splendid record to its credit the Reform Government will be able to show that there is not the least need for a fourth, or Farmers’ Party, in tho country, but that, on the other hand, it will ,i£ formed, do more harm than good, not only to the farmers themselves, but to the country as a whole.