FARMERS' UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8873, 25 July 1907, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

Kimbolton Branch. Annual Dinner. The annual dinner was held in the Commercial Hotel, and the host, Mr W. S. Poole, put on a first rate repast. There were about 55 present. Mr E, Crabb, who presided, welcomed the members Jof other branches in proposing the toast of the visiting delegates. He said the last time tho members had met in that room the Land Bill had just been brought before the House, and the Union had commenced to protest against the measure. Now he would ask, had the Union any justification for its existence? He thought they would all agree with him that in bringing before the country the views of the farming community on this question, and forcing one of the strongest Governments that we had had in the colony to reconsider its policy it had proved its influence ami justified its existence. Then there was the abolition of tho sheep tax and tho lowering of the fire insurance from Ills to 10s, and even to 9s, for monfbers of tho Farmers’ Union. Those were also advantages that had been gained by unity of action. In regard to tho future action of the branch, it had been decided to recommence tho agitation in favour of a railway to Kimbolton. The through railway to Auckland was drawing to a close, and unless action was taken other districts would forestall them. Ho contended that for fertility and other means for rendering a railway payable the district hud every right to call upon the Government to construct a line

between Foilding and Kimbolton. Tho speaker referred to the agitation amongst tho farm labourers, which, ho said, had been brought about by the agitators of tho towns, when the farmers and their labourers ■were working under amicable arrangements. But as the matter had boon forced upon , them ’it was necessary .to appoint efficient repre-

sentatives on tho Arbitration Court. In conclusion, he asked for tho support of all farmers to the Union. Tho Chairman sroad apologies for absence from Mr J. G. Wilson, the President of the Union, Mr Carman, Chairman of tho Waituua branch, and Mr Jackson.

Mr W. G. Pearce, a representative of the Feilding branch, in replying to the toast, said in connection with insurance that it was time tho fanners were giving united support to tho Farmers’ Mutual Society, the formation of which had been the principal cause of the lowering of the rates. * At present its rates were somewhat higher than that of other

companies hut if it had sufficient business from tho farmers tho rates would bo quickly lowered. Mr Morrison, Chairman of tho

Halcombo branch, said ho was pleased to see by the gathering that evening that great interest was taken in the Union at Kimholton. Ho was sure that they had a good man as;chairman, who was both a good worker and one who could ably express his views. Mr F. F. Pemberton, representing the Raugiwahia branch, said Mr Guthrie, their chairman, had been unable to attend. “Referring to the Laud Bill, Mr Pemberton said the farmers should.not bo content with its present form. He showed how it would affect a leaseholder in perpetuity as compared to a holder of a section with right of purchase. The latter, when he desired to purchase at the end of 15 years, had to pay 1 per cent on the upset 'price of the laud, but in the case of the leaseholder in perpetuity, according to the Land Bill, Jig would have to pay the improved value on his section in addition to the upset price ; yet lie might have been just as good a settler as the other, and had done as much to improve the district and bring about the added value of the laud. He claimed that Ixis branch had been the first to move for the .abolition of the sheep tax. Mr A. H. Atkinson, proposed

“The Now Zealand Parliament,” coupled with Mr P. Y. Lethbridge, M.H.R., whoso Parliamentary career ho spoke. of;iu very laudatory terms. Referring to the Laud Bill, lie said there was still much that was vicious in the measure, especially in the proposal to allocate nine million acres to the support of the old-age pension fund and of education. Supposing it was cut up in one thousand acre blocks and leased for G(! years it would have the effect of creating nine thousand dependents, liable to be rack rented. He quoted Thomas Jefferson, one time President of America, who said that the possession in freehold of a piece of land was really a bond for the good behaviour of the holder. The speaker condemned the proposed auction system for the purchase of land, and gave great credit to the Farmers’ Advocate for advocating the repeal of the sheep tax. Ho jocularly suggested that there should ho a refund of the amounts paid since the country was declared free of scab, and ho for one would hand over what lie was entitled to to the Union to help create an assured finance. The toast was drunk with musical honours.

Mr F. Y. Lethbridge, in reply, sa.id the Parliament was what the people made it, and in the case cf the present Parliament, with a few exceptions, the people had made a good one. He referred to one exception in the House, and expressed surprise that lie was ever scut there. In "the House it was also.evident that the Union had become a power iu the laud, even from the jibes that were hoard from a section of|tho members of the House when it was mentioned iu the course of debate. Commenting on the proposed limitation of area, the speaker said it was not the actual limitation that was so objectionable as the principle of making it apply to one section of the people—those of the country only—while the enterprising men of the towns had no limit placed to the extension of their business. Then, too. there was the fact that a limitation of £40,C00 to-day might be reduced to £30,000 to-morrow, and so on, until the restriction became so extreme as to drive energetic men from fanning pursuits. Mr C. Dick proposed ‘ 1 The Agricultural Department, ” coupled with (ho name of Mr Lethbridge, M.H.R.

Sir *JLct! ibrid go, ® in responding, spoke highly of the services of Mr Gilruth as ail officer, and the Hon. Mr MaNab as au administrator of tlio Department. Mr IV. Morton proposed the health ( i the Chairman of the Kimholton Branch of the Farmers’ Union, Mr (habb, whoso services ho spoke very highly of. Mr Morton also made a lew remarks in favour of the limitation area of first class land. Mr E. Orahb, in responding, said it was bettor to meet the feeling of the country in favour of limitation by approval of a reasonable measure. Mr Lethbridge, M.H.R., in proposing “The Agricultural _ and Pastoral Societies,” coupled with it the names of Mr G. Wheeler and Mill. Booth, two gentlemen to whom the early success of the Mauawatu and the West Coast A. and P. Society was largely due. Ho was sure the Foilidug Society would benefit greatly from their connection with it.

Mr G. Wheeler, iu responding, pointed out that the Mauawatu A. aud P. Society had been intentionally at tho outset made representative of the West Coast, aud not of the Palmerston district alone. The operation of tho Foildiug A. and P. Association would iu no way interfere with it, for tho Feildiug show held as it was iu the autumn filled a want. Mr Booth also in his remarks poiutod out in what manner the Feildiug Association could do good work without iu any way co ming iu conflict with the M. and W.O.A. and P. Association. Mr H. Henderson proposed Local Bodies,” aud Messrs |G. Wheeler (chairman of the Oroua County Council) and Mr H. Fowler (member of the Kiwitea County Council) replied.* (ir( Mr H. Booth proposed Commercial Interests,” aud Messrs A. H. Atkinson aud Henson responded. Mr P. Nesdale proposed ‘ Local Industries,” aud Mr Astbury replied. The other toasts were . ihe Ladies,” proposed by Mr J. Rentoul, replied to by Messrs Bailey and Evans; “Tho Press,” proposed by Mr R. Mcßcth aud replied to by Messrs Andrew aud Fitzpatrick; and “The Host,” proposed by tho chairman.

During the evening songs were given by Messrs Bayne, Potts, Capper and Orabb, and Mr Barlow gave a flute solo.