FARMERS IN CONFERENCE.

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12805, 28 May 1910, Page 3

FARMERS IN CONFERENCE.

[United Pi_ess Association.] Auckland, May 27. The Auckland Provincial Conference of the Farmers' Union this morning had an interesting discussion on cooperation. Mr Flanagan brought forward resolutions in favour of co-oper- . ation among farmers on sound and business-like methods. His first proposal was in the direction- of starting a land and estate agency, the members of Farmers' Unions to be. given a rebate on tho usual rates. His second suggestion was to establish a central co-operative store, each member of the Farmers' Union to be canvassed to take up' shares. These proposed undertakings should be< run for the benefit of the Union members. Some might suggest that this was ra- . thor soliish, but ho was sure that tho host thing thoy could do was to take a loaf out of the, book of the labour unions, who only considered themselves, and had assumed a strength of something like 50,000 in the ' Dominion. These co-operative agencies should be ontircily for tho benefit ot the Farmers' Union. Mr Mclnnes, in seconding the motion, said this co-operative idea was just the thing to revive the Union. Mr Graham suggested a scheme of advances to scitlers on tlie principle of building societies, as au . amendment. Mr Bell moved in the direction of asking the executive to establish a cooperative association on the line of that in Canterbury. Mr Schmitt (secretary) said the feeling among the branches he had visited favoured some co-operative scheme on the lines suggested. In order to allow members to con- . sidor tho question of co-operation, the resolutions were withdrawn, aud a special committee was set up to draw up a report at the earliest opportunity. Ohristohurch, May 27. The conference of the North Canterbury Farmers' Union concluded today. Mr 0. F. Clothica* was elected president and Messrs R. Evans and F. G. Horrell wcro appointed delegates to the Dominion Conference. Remits from tho Executive of the Taranaki Farmors' Union and from the Ashburton and Rakaia branches regarding the allegeel improper methods pursued by tho State Fire Office 1/2 getting htisaness were agreed to. Tlio allegations wcro that the agents of the State Office aro supplied with information from the Advances Settlers Department as to farmers who had received advances from the Department, and these were circularised by agents. A remit was also agreed to that Charitable Aid Boards should receive the fees paid by licensees of hotels. * Hastings, May 27. The Hawke's Bay annual conference of the Farmers' Union was held here to-day, when -three branches were .represented. Mr Fraser, the president, urged the necessity of farmers uniting. There was still much work for the Union to do, especially as reganis Europeans and. Natives settling on the land, and the details of such settlement must be carefully watched. Mr Eustaco Lane was elected, as president. The remits agreed for forwarding to tho Dominion Con forence, included ono iii favour of co-operative, meat freezi«« by f armors. It was also decided that a siib-com-mittco he formed to wait on tho local freezing companies, and to ask them to classify the lambs into threo classes, and to advertise A, B, and O grade piices. Invercargill, May 27. At the conference of the Southland branch of the Farmers' Union the lowing were among the remits adopted*. That in view of the statement of the Pi-ime Minister /that a Land Bill, containing the same principles as that introduced last session and withdrawn, will bo agaiir introduced, the conference places on record (that ho legislation will be satisfactory to the Farmers' Union which does not contain the right of all tenants of Ithe Crown to the' freehold option. That under tho compulsory military service some system of payment of the men serving should be made from the publio purse, as it would be unfair for employers Ho pay the wages. •That farmers borrowing money from the Advances to Settlers Office should be at liberty to effect fire insurance in any sound office he chose. That a strong protest be mado against the system compelling Sixth Standard pupils in country schools atY tending the centres for examination.'