FARMERS' UNION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 132, 27 July 1911, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

o ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, July 26. At the Farmers’ Union Conference to-day discussion was resumed on a motion endorsing the proposal of the New Zealand Producers’ Association to ask the Government to introduce u Rill to establish an association for the protection of producers’ interests in regard to frozen and other proluce, and empowering such associaion to levy a rate on sheep tlocks and rattle herds to provide the necessary birds. Eventually it was decided that the question be referred to the '■Provisional Executive, with a suggesiou to have meetings called by brandies interested, so that the general ipinion of the farming community nay be obtained, the conference at the rune time recommending that the powers asked for would be of general benefit to the producers of the Do- • minion. .Resolutions were passed strongly urging tbe Government to bring a -bullion Registration Bill before the House in the coming session; that the 'ommittee be appointed to consult uth the Minister for Agriculture with a view to amending the Noxious Weeds Act in such direction as may be desirable; that the Government be asked to introduce a Pure Seeds Bill; that it is desirable to establish agricultural colleges in other districts on lines similar to the Lincoln College; •that all applicants for Crown lands who are landless and qualified by law to ballot for land be passed for ballot without any other test than the de■iaration; that Land Boards should consist of five members, two elected by Crown tenants, two appointed by •the Government", with the District Commissioner of Crown Lands as Chairman; and that members should bo elected for three years instead of two; that the local Farmers’ Union should be notified when there is Crown land to be cut up in the district, and the Land Board should consult the Union as to the best methods of cutting up the same for settlement. The Farmers’ Union Conference revolved that the Government be asked to have a system of the valuation of improvements defined, in relation to tbe valuation of land for taxation purnoses, in such a manner that owners ■ball receive credit for the unexpended value of all improvements made upon their lands, and also for an allowance being made for the imnroved value caused by the expenditure of loan and private moneys expanded by local bodies; that the Government bo urged to adopt a scheme of through booking of produce by rail md sea.