THE FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2509, 16 April 1902, Page 10

THE FARMERS' UNION.

AUCKLAND, Apiil 11. A meeting of the executive of the Tar mci's' Union was held t li i*- afternoon. The Chairman (Mr Kirkbnde) said thai the fiivt Subject discussed at the recent Tr.uk"- and Labour Conference \\a.- incidence of ta\a tion. One speaker had reminded thp conference that there might be Mich a thing as taxing a man off the land, yet one «-peaker favoured an increase in the graduated tax and a heavier tax on absentee-, and anotliPi Migge-ted an UKieas.' m the- income tax. They were altogetliei unanimous that tho buidcn of taxation -hould be thrown on "'the other fellow." Afti l pinpo-ing to pile it on the people who make a living out of the hind, it fec-med >omcnhal ironical to MiegPit. aone '•pe.ikei did, '" tli it tin v <.hntild try to v\ork in harinonj with the Fanner 1 -' Union ' During disCH'-ion of the icviiluation of the Crown lea«e? it was tluf ati-nod tlutt " n i heFarmers' Union pi-r-i'-tod m then effort- to secure frorli' ''!« they would at oner- < ,m. into cOiifiift with tl,< Lthoiu ]>.nt\ nn in bers." The K.mner-' ["nion \.cuH lot I<> clptcrred fro:i< nrryi"g cut it- opinion* on the question 1 - affiHting 'he 'j-ul. and tlioj vere bancimu; together to piotcct tin ir m teiCit 2 . ami tl'cv wou'd not h" dutitpd to by men i^imr.iiM of i'm- i'ii'Uin;i of tin farming crmini.nuv With our d - inn nt the confi i ,••■('■ hid pi. jn- '1 th't a' l ('\uw b ass- -houlrl h" ic>. i'u 'I ]. i,• d < .t '\ J" f'Mi'' 1 .- c?ni' ; - p i!' ""• f r •ii tin ( I'

many would have come out to be offered leaseholds, with revaluation every Hfk years? The greater weight which the Government attached to the opinions of the tradesmen in preference to the farmers showed the necessity for completing the organisation of the farmers, to take up a position in the body politic, as their numbers warranted.