N. Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 40, 25 May 1917, Page 4

N. Z. FARMERS' UNION.

AUCKLAND, May 23,

The Farmers ’ Union Provincial Conference resolved that any essential worker liable to be called up should have the right to go before a Military Service Board and have his position made clear.

Mr A. Gillies, expert adviser to the National Efficiency Board for Auckland, addressed the conference on the operation of that body as they concern farmers.

It was resolved that, owing to certain properties having been purchased by enemy aliens from men leaving for the front, the conference considered it would be advisable to cease selling property to enemy aliens. It was decided to strongly advocate that the Government extend tho system of advances already arranged for the assistance of returned soldier settlers to the National Efficiency Board for the management on trust of farms of soldiers on service.

The conference referred to the incoming executive a remit that, in order to prevent, speculation in soldiers' farms, tho Government be recommended, in the case of farmers called up for military service and unable to make pianagemcnt provision, to buy their farms at valuation, the money realised to be paid in War Loan debentures, the seller to retain the option of redeeming the farm at the end of the war.

The conference unanimously passed a resolution recording its emphatic protest against the butter-fat tax as being unjust and uncalled-for and a special tax upon one of the hardest-worked sections of the community. One speaker stated that the matter would be fought out on the floor of Parliament during the coming session.