THE FARMERS PARLIAMENT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8856, 5 July 1907, Page 2

THE FARMERS PARLIAMENT.

Tariff Question. Press Association. Wellington, July 4. Captain Bell, Auckland, moved: “ That in the opinion of this Conference the time has arrived when the Legislative Council should be elected. The mover said it was quite wrong that Government should have tho power of appointing men to tho Upper House who might defeat tho will of the people. ■ Mt Cooper complained that while the Trades Councils had been given representation the Farmers’ Union, which comprised many men who had always been strong supporters of the Government, had been overlooked. « Resolutions were carried urging the Government to adopt a forward immigration policy by extending tho system of assisted passages; endorsing tho opinion expressed by the. Premier with regard to restrictions on Chinese; urging tho abolition of tho sheep tax; asking for protection against damage done by mining tailings being deposited in rivora, affirming opposition to any attempt to introduce the referendum; expressing dis-' approval of a universal half-holiday; approving tho introduction of nature study and gardening into primary schools.

The following remits were adopted (from Otago):—That country councils be asked to prohibit placing of barbed wire on any fences along the main roads at a lower level than 2ft Gin from the ground ; (from Auckland) That the Loans to Local Bodies Act be amended so that all unoccupied (Native and Crown) land in any special rating area shall become rateable from date of occupation ; (from Auckland) That all public works should be constructed on tho contract system as against the co-operative system now in vogue ; (from Auckland) That tho paramount importance of roads opening up land as tho foundation of the prosperity of the colony should bo forcibly impressed upon Government by tho Farmers’ Union J (from Auckland) That this Conference ask the Colonial Council to draw the notice of the Minister for Railways to the fact that there is a scarcity of trucks on tho raihvays, farmers having to wait as long as two weeks for trucks to convey their stock away. On the motion of Mr Jones (Canterbury) it was resolved by 9 votes to 7 that any increase in the Graduated Land Tax should be accompanied by a similar increase in the Income Tax. ia3nW5S

L. Clayton (Poverty Bay) moved that the Union adopt a stronger united political attitude, although not necessarily -a party attitude, as this was the only .way in which its influence could be made) manifest. The mover said the Union boro all the discredit but enjoyed none of the advantages of being a political organisation. They were ridiculed because people thought they had not backbone to tight. They must cease to bo mere trimmers.

Captam Bell (Waikato) said he felt certain the Union would never be a power until it took a pronounced attitude. The time had arrived to take the gloves off. The absolute futility of their efforts was duo to the fact that they had not taken a political stand. Mr Jones (Canterbury) defended the Union’s past attitude. The man who said they left political questions alone must have been in a trance. The strength of the Union was the fact it had never tacked itself to any political party, Mr J. C. Cooper said they could claim that their organisation was responsible for the fact that there was now a majority of freeholders in the House. After further discussion tho motion was defeated by II votes to 4.