FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10763, 7 September 1906, Page 1

FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night Tlie following Southland, Taranaki, and Otago remits were adopted: — That the Department be requested to pay more attention to destruction of noxious weeds on Government reserves and waste lands of the Crown, wliich m many instances supply seed for the propagation of noxious weed, through the district, and tihat while the destruction of noxious weeds on Government lands and road lines is neglected as at present, it is unfair and practically useless to enforce the Act. It was resolved that nobody, Government or otherwise, should liberate game (birds or animals) m any acclimatisation district unless with the consent of the Colonial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. All* McQueen brought forward the following remits from Southland and Otago : "Tliat this Council strongly protests against the action of Mr Tregear, Secretary of Labor, m giving such views as he has tlirough the public press of being admittedly a leader m socialism and opposed to employers of labor, and therefore expresses the opinion that it is not m the interests of the community that he should continue to hold the position he does, as he cannot administer the labor laws of the colony m fairness as between employers and workers." It was urged that the carrying of such a motion would suggest to the outer world that the Council was an intolerant body, and that too much importance was attached by it to Mr Tregear's utterances. The motion .was withdrawn. Replying to a deputation from the Farmers' Union, the Premier said he hoped the Land Bill would be circulated early next week. The Government wished to do what was fair to landowners m connection with the limitation of area. The graduated land tax had not operated as it was intended to do. In many cases there had been an addition instead of a reduction of estates. He was m accord with the view of tlie union that those who were forced to sell portions of their land should have the best opportunity of doing so. This would be provided for m the legislation to be introduced. There was nothing m the objection that land could be held as security under the proposed system of limitation of area. It was tlie desire of the Government to have native lands settled. Tlie Government was prepared to meet the Union with regard to Assessment Courts, and Mr, Kirkbride's Bill m that respect would be supported. The Minister ior Lands, speaking at the Farmers' Union" Conference to-day, said the Cabinet had decided tihat an experimental dairy station and a complete school of instruction should be equipped m the North Island. The scheme would now be elaborated, and a site selected. No personal influence or anything else but suitability would weigh with him m the selection of the site. It would be impossible to have a number of these stations, as the work was of a very scientific character, and the equipment would have to be very complete. Every facility would be given to provide instruction for those requiring it. Unless they went on doing original work they would not be able to occupy the top position m the market. He had every hope tliis school would give an immense impetus to the dairy industry, and if any mistake was made m regard to site, it would not be because any personal or other influence had been exerted. (Applause.) A scheme was being prepared for instruction of stock inspectors under Mr. Gilruth before taking up their duties, and so getting a knowledge of veterinary work.