FARMERS’ UNION AND THE ELECTIONS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 27, 16 September 1911, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION AND THE ELECTIONS.

QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES. At the meeting of the Taranaki Executive of the Now Zealand Farmers’ Union on Thursday, the Dominion Secretary forwarded a list of questions which the Dominion Conference hail agreed upon should be submitted to candidates at the forthcoming genera' elections. The following are the questions relating to the platform of the Union, .which candidates are requested to re ply to: — i (1) The Crown tenants have the option of purchasing the freehold of their lease at the original value, provided that in the case of the L.I.P. tenants the addition of 1 per cent capitalised if he has paid only four per cent; and in the case of the ‘renewal leases at the capital value at the time of the purchase, less the lessee’s interest in the lease to be decided by arbitration ; the optional tenure in the disposal of Crown lands to be continued. (2) That only ratepayers be empowered to vote on local government matters in counties, road boards and rural districts. (3) That no increase of taxation by way of land tax or protective duty bo imposed. (1) That the construction of public works should lie by contract, to be let by tender. (5) That legislation of a penal or Socialistic character tending to monopolise to the State the means of proluction, distribution and exchange shall be strenuously resisted. The president (Mr J. W. Jones), Mr Maxwell, and Air J., B. Sim (prouncial secret ary) j were' appointed a committee to draft the letter to the candidates asking the questions, the ’etterr, to be forwarded within the next three weeks.