FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13170, 28 July 1911, Page 1

FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

FURTHER RESOLUTIONS,

[United Pkess Association.]

Wellington, July 27. Au old friend in the shape of a remit from Auckland provided an inter, esting discussion at the Fanners' Union Conference to-day. The remit ran: "That this Conference is of the opinion that the engineering trade should receive no more protection by way of tariff." During the discussion it was an opinion generally expressed that local engineers turned out work equal to the imported article. Farmers on the whole were not patriotic enough in supporting local industry. It appeared to be generally recognised that the engineering trade was bad, but in passing the resolution the Con Terence agreed by a good majority that to further nrotect the trado would be prejudicial to farmers' interests. One delegate snid that the implement makers' trouble was the Arbitration Court awards, and another speaker that it appeared no use raising the tariff on machinery, as it would mean increased prices, which would bo mopped up by labour. There Mas no finality. An attempt by the Marlborough delegate, to have the protective tariff on imported grain raised was rejected by an overwhelming majority. A resolution was passed to the effect that the present system of taxation based on the unimproved value was most unsatisfactory in conse. quenco of the impossibility of ascertaining the true unimproved value. The Conference moved to favour some more equitable basis of taxation, which would place taxation of land in just proportion to that contributed by other industries. The Conference passed further resolutions as follows: That the Conference strongly objects to the imposition of the export duty on hides and greasy wool; that the engineering trade should receive no more protection by way of tariff; that in view of the scarcity of farm labour tlio Conference approves of the introduction of suitable youths under careful selection from Great Britain ; that all tablet stations be connected by telephone with the nearest post offioo so that settlers can receive early intimation of the arrival of goods, the telephone to be available to the public; that a system of charging extra train freight on imported goods and timber should be abolished; that this Conference enters an emphatic protost against the system now in vogue on the New Zealand railways, whereby two or more farmers taking stock (rams for instance) from one station to any ono destination, cannot con:bino together to hire a truck or trucks, and send them as one consignment, and would urge the Dominion Fyxecntive to bring the matter to tlio

notice of the Minister for Railway:, for his favourable consideration; that the Government bo urged to give bettor supply of trucks for fat :stock during the months of December, January, February and March; that the rail nay authorities be requested to give exact and correct weight of ail produce conveyed, and users will be prepared to pay a higher charge if necessary; that as there has- been great loss and inconvenience again this season through the scarcity of grain trucks the Minister of Railways be again urged to provide a large increase for next season as well as covers; that the Minister of Railways bo urged to reduce the charge of £25 per annum for private sidings.

and the erection of sheds thereat, to a nominal sum; that a better system be adopted in the construction of

yards, and trucks for loading and discharging sheep, and all sheep trucks should be battened, and that in future

all new trucks should have an end-on means of communication with each other for loading sheep ; that where roads or tracks are cut through bush land the Government or the local body in charge of the work shall cause the road line to bo sown with good clean grass seed to prevent the spread of weeds, and as an assistance to travelling stock; that all telephone charges be the same in each postal district, irrespective of distance; thai the Farmers' Union urges that the country exchanges and telephone bureaux be open between the hours of 7 and 8 p.m., and in the case of count-'v telephones, that the lines be connected with the nearest doctor, hospital oi chemist when required; that a redaction bo made to telephone subscribers in cases where more than one subscriber is using the same, wire; that experimental farms, or experimental plots, bo established in other districts in the South Island in view of the cTlversity of climatic conditions ;' that in view of the groat difficulty in obtaining servants in the country the Government bo urged to adopt a scheme for bringing out suitable female servants.

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: President, Mr J. G. Wilson, Bulls (roelccted); vice-president, Mr G. \V. liOadlcy, Ashburton (re-elected); treasurer, Mr W. J. Birch, Marton (rcolectcd); auditor, Mr W. Rutherford. Palmcrston North ; advisory committee, Messrs J. C. Cooncr, W. J. Bird), F. F. Hockloy, and E. Campbell.