FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE

Southland Times, Issue 17794, 26 July 1916, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE

ALIENS AND LAND SETTLEMENT. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 25. Mr Wilson presided at the New Zealand Farmers’ Union Conference to-day and delivered his annual address. There are ,133 remits on the order paper. It was' decided to recommend the Lands Department to endeavour to find water on sections of land not watered by streams or springs before such land is offered for settlement. The Conference adopted the following remits: That the Government instruct responsible officers to more carefully study the formation of the country when cutting up land for settlements and see that boundary lines and roads arc placed in the best possible places. That on the purchase of land for closer settlement the county council or local authorities in that area be represented in the location of roads and the formation and drainage of same. That the Government be urged to construct wheel traffic roads into new blocks of surveyed land before opening the same for selection, and push on the work of present roads in backblocks. Mr R. Dunn, Taranaki, moved—“ That the land laws be so amended that no enemy alien subject, or unnaturalised person, or anyone of full enemy alien blood and birth, be eligible to acquire the freehold of land in the dominion.” The mover said that men at the front when they returned might find the land they should have a right to occupied by unnaturalised persons. The land should be the birthright of the boys of New Zealand. There were many Swiss in this province who were of doubtful loyalty, and they should be. debarred from holding land unless naturalised. Mr Maxwell seconded. Some of the Swiss in Taranaki were of German blood and their sympathies were with ttic enemy. In view of the fact that the land would be required for returned soldiers it was wise that the lidding of land should be restricted. Mr A. K. Campbell, Wanganui, said he could not support the motion in its present form. He knew of Germans fighting for the Empire. The German Jews of the Dominion were thoroughly loyal, and would be glad to go to the front if they were accepted. He was in favour of forbidding any German or Austrian being a director of any commercial company. Mr Ross moved an amendment—‘’That the Government be requested to see that men of alien blood or birth who are ineligible for enlistment in the military forces should not obtain any advantage over our own men in the matter of the disposal and settlement of Crown lands.” After further discussion the motion was withdrawn and the amendment relegated to a supplementary order paper. Several remits were adopted urging greater provision of land for returned soldiers and easing of conditions in cases of tenants under any Land Act who are serving at the front. The Conference also resolved that all present and future occupiers of rural, and national endowment lands, be granted the option of purchasing the freehold.