N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 283, 22 April 1913, Page 8

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

TARAXAKI EXECUTIVE MEETING

A meeting of the Taranaki Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held in Hawera on Thursday. There were present: Messrs J. Davidson (president), S. Forsyth, E. Maxwell, R. Lambie, A. E. Washer, J. Swindlehurst, G. Capper, H. Buxton, F. J. Virgin, R. Dunn and A. Hunter.

Replies were read from Messrs C. A. Wilkinson, J. B. Hine and H. Okey, M.P.'s with reference to the Water Pollution Bill of last year, saying that they would endeavor to conserve the interests of the Executive should the Bill come forward again this coming session. The New Zealand Jersey Cattle Breeders' Association wrote, in reply to a communication from the executive, that the official transfer form of a breed society, when in the form as used by the Jersey Breeders' Association, was a suffiI cient guarantee of entry and recognition of the transfer.

The Elthara branch wrote suggesting that, in view of. the large number of members of the Union in arrears with their subscriptions to the Union, the Dominion Executive to authorise proceedings to be taken to recover outstanding subscriptions.—lt was decided to write to the Dominion Executive for the necessary authority. REMITS.

I The following remits were forwarded I for consideration before being sent forI ward to the Provincial Conference at |Eltham on May 15:— Auroa—That the Government be urged [to bring down a Seed Sale Control Bill. —Adopted. Xgaere—That the Government be requested to pass legislation so as to make the half-holiday universal.—Adopted. Mangatoki.—That it be a recommendation to the Government to bring in a Seeds Control Bill, to pass legislation making it illegal to sell or distribute seeds of any kind that are impure or contain any mixture of noxious weeds. —Adopted. That the members of this branch consider that fanners should have the right to vote on the half-holi-day question.—Not to go forward, the majority of the Executive considering that no effective vote would be recorded, and that the expense would be too great. Patea—That stock inspectors and other Government officials be empowered to assist noxious weeds inspectors in enforcing the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act.—Adopted. That the Railway Department notify country consignees by eolleet wire, if necessary, of the despatch of stock or goods, to afford | them an opportunity of unloading trucks I without incurring demurrage.—Adopted. I TAXATION. Mr. Maxwell was granted permission to withdraw a notice of motion tabled in 'reference to altering the present system of taxation, and in lieu thereof he proposed the following as a remit for the [Provincial Conference:—That the Provincial Conference be asked to frame for reference to the Dominion Conference a scheme for a more equitable system of direct taxation.—Mr. Dunn seconded, and it was carried.

The following additional remits were dealt with:— Hawera—That all manures be guaranteed.—The remit was not passeu, as in the opinion of the Executive farmers were sufficiently protected under the Fertilisers Act.

Executive—That the Fencing Act be so amended as to make provision for compelling owners and occupiers to keep dividing fences clear of scrub and other noxious growth.

Executive—That the request to the Government to amend the Farmers' .Mutual Insurance Act in certain directions, and in extending its scope, to apply to accident business, be renewed. Executive—That this conference urges 1 ' upon the Government to pass the Stallion Bill prepared by the Veterinary Department. Executive—That with a view to counteracting the injury caused by the dissemination of fallacious views by the socialists and single-taxers, this conference urges that political economy "be made a compulsory subject in the higher schools.

It was decided that additional remits should not be received later than April 30. and that the provincial secretary and •Mr. Buekeridge be authorised to revise these where necessary, LAND VALUATION.

I It was decided to send last year's remit oil land valuation again to" the Provincial Conference. It read as follows: "That the Valuation of Lands Act be so altered as to permit of all improvements of whatever nature made to land, and also capital value, on a five per cent, basis, of any special rates paid on such land for roading, etc., being reckoned as improvements. j DRAFT OX WOOL. It was decided that the Colonial Executive be asked to make another effort to have the draft on wool abolished, and that the request be sent direct to the Ad»i»».'_ iioard.