Farmers’ Union

Southland Times, Issue 19682, 9 October 1905, Page 4

Farmers’ Union

A meeting of the Executive of the Farmers’ Union, Southland Provincial District, was held on Friday, there being present: Messrs J. McQueen (President), H. J. Middleton, W. Reid, D. Marshall, K, Finlayson, N. A. McLaren, W. Templeton, 11. McCall, A. Beaven and A. Tapper. Messrs J. Milne and D. Gilchrist apologised for absence. Mr Scott, the organising secretary, was in attendance. >

A considerable amount of correspondence was dealt with, including resolutions from branches. From among the latter, it was decided to forward the following for consideration at the summer conference in Christchurch in November: —That all valuators of land shall leave a copy of their valuations with the owners or occupiers of the land ; that artificial manures should be carried on the railways at the lowest scale of charges. '■ In regard to the Harvester Trust, the following resolutions, carried by the North Canterbury Union, were adopted (1) That the proposal to move Parliament tp impose prohibitive duties on imported farm implements and machinery is premature; (2) that no sufficient reasons have yet been shown foi any* special legislation aimed at the International Harvester Co., of America; (3) the Executive recommend members of the Union and farmers generally to encourage and support as far as possible colonial implements and machinery, and thus assist local industry ; (4) that all parts and raw material used in the colons’ in the manufacture of agricultural machinery be admitted duty free. The Executive! supported strongly the opinions recently expressed on the subject by Mr Headley in the press. The President and Mr McLaren were appointed to attend the Summer Conference. The continued inclusion of ragwort in the schedule of noxious weeds had been submitted to the brandies, and the majority of replies received were favourable to its remaining in the schedule.—A resolution to this effect was carried by tlie Executive, and will be forwarded to the Southland County Council. The matter of submitting questions to focal candidates for Parliament was considered very fully, and it was decided to forward to each branch the following questions to be put to candidates on behalf of the Farmers’ Union (1) Is the candidate in favour of giving all Crown tenants the option of acquiring the freehold by purchasing at the original value ‘ (2) is the candidate in favour of , the franchise for election of local bodies remaining as at present ; (3) is the candidate in favour of giving the farmers

representation on assessment courts through the local bodies : (4) will the candidate oppose and vote against imposing any import duties on agricultural machinery.-The branches will be asked, to arrange the putting of the questions, and send replies to tho ExecuthdTho following subject was remitted to branches for consideration :-That the Government be requested to bring forward the legislation necessary to enable them to subsidise the cost of carnage of export produce to the port of shipment. Mr Scott, the organising secretary, presented a report which was received, and satisfaction expressed at the manner in which the duties had been carried out. It was arranged that Mr Scott shouli go into the Eastern District, after the 18th inst-

The attention of the Executive was called to the resolution recently passed by the Edendale branch, favouring the leasehold tenure, and it was pointed out that the Union favoured the leasehold system for the settlement of land, but adhered to the third plank of the I mon platform, which supports the tenants having tho right of purchase at anytime. .