FARMERS' UNION.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12254, 28 May 1908, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL! CONFERENCE.

Per Press Association

JFeilding, May 27. The Wellington Provincial Conference, of the JTflrraers' Union discussed at length the question'of Socialism, and the following motion was proposed: "That the time has now .arrived when the Union must take a firm stand against the Socialist party;- that all farmers' candidates shall pledge themselves to oppose 'all 'measures detrimental to the Farmers' Union, whether a Government measure or otherwise ; and that where more than one candidate' pledges himself to do so a meeting ri. delegates from each branch in the electorate shall be called by the premier branch to decide which candidate rhall receive the support of the Vnioh. " Mr tlarman, wbo'prdposed the resolution, said that". Socialism had risen in its might and would do more to do» n the. farmers' interests than any other ttling; *' The faming community should;; send their okd representatives to • Pari iament. Mr F. Hockby said that the outstanding feature of Socialism was the abolition of all private ownership of land. ~ For some Parliamentary sessions now the rights and privileges of property-owners bad been steadily infringed. The President, Mr Wilton, voted the Socahst platform the nationalisation of the means of production, distribution and exchange. SMI Mr J. Morrison said he was a Government supporter, but be would vote against the Government unless they stemmed the tide Of Socialism. But he thought the Farmers' Uninn should keep out of party politics. He favoured amalgamation with Government supporters to return antiSqcialist members, -t

i Mr Hadfield said he felt convinced that the members of the Ministry would feel thankful for any help in stemming the tide of Socialism. One member of the Ministry had told him that the Government; were puzaled to know what to do. and $bj&v w,*re trying to think, of what stand tjhey should take in the matter. The,motion was carried. . .- .. . t Tbe following resolutions were also carried- -Thai the value of rural land for taxation and other pur- j pcsea shall in future be determined by its producing value, and jjofc as at present, by the sale .value. That in order to encourage the planting of forest tiees on all land, over one acre"! should be exempt from land tax and local rates.— That when permanent Government reserves adjoin private holdings (freehold or leasehold), the Land Departnic nS should pay half the cost of fencing, and keeping fences in repair, and destroying noxious weeds. - That the Government should specially subsidise all main roads leading to the back block?, at a distance from a railway line. .—That better facilities be give ft to the smaller railway stations for loaning and snlording stock and '.'*l&tT U. Wilson was re-elected •President, and Messrs J., C. Cooper and F. Hockley were appointed as deletrU.es to the Colonial Confernce. The delegates were entertained at a banquet this evening by the members of the local branch