FARMERS’ UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 130, 25 July 1911, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION.

o— —— ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (For Press Association.) Wellington, July 25. The land question was the first subject dealt with by the Farmers’ Union Conference, which opened to-lay. At the outset there was a discussion as to whether all remits on the question should be taken, or whether one comprehensive motion should not he adopted. It was decided to substitute a motion reaffirming planks 3 and 8 of the Union’s platform, to the effect that all holders of land in lease-in-perpetuity, perpetual lease or small grazing runs should have the right to purchase the freehold at any time after the improvement conditions have been complied with, either by immediate cash payment or payment extending over an indefinite time, a reduction of rent to he made in proportion to such payments; that Crown ten-

ants on the lease-in-perpetuity tenure have the right to acquire the freehold of their holdings on payment by the lessee of the original value, and the payment of the difference between the 4 per cent now charged on lease-in-perpetuity and the 5 per cent charged to tenants with the right to purchase; further, tenants under the renewal lease system to he given the option of purchasing the unimproved value freehold at a price to be determined by arbitration.