FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 28, 27 July 1911, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. By Telegraph-Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. At the Farmers' Union Conference today discussion was resumed on a motion endorsing the proposal of the New Zealand Producers' Association to ask the Government to introduce a Bill to establish an association for the protection of producers' interests in regard to frozen and other produce, and empowering such association to levy a rate on sheep Hocks and cattle herds to provide the necessary funds. Eventuaally it was decided that the question be referred to the Provisional Executive, with a suggestion to have meetings called by branches interested, so that the general opinion of the farming community may be obtained, the conference at the same time recommending that the powers asked for would be of general benefit to the producers of the Dominion.

Resolutions were passed strongly urging the Government to bring a Stallion Registration Bill before the House in the coming session; that the committee bo appointed to consult with the Minister for Agriculture with a view tb amending the Noxious Weeds Act in such direction as may bo 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 declaration; 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 be 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.

VALUATION OF IMPROVEMENTS. Wellington, Last Night. The Farmers' Union Conference resolved that the Government he asked to have a system of the valuation of improvements defined, in relation to the valuation of land for taxation purposes, in such a manner that owners shall receive credit for the unexpended value of all improvements made upon their lands, and also for an allowance being made for the improved value caused by the expenditure of loan and private moneys expended by local bodies; that the Government be urged to adopt a scheme of through booking of produce by rail and sea.