Farmers’ Conference.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3918, 10 July 1902, Page 3

Farmers’ Conference.

WELLINGTON, July’ 7. The following arc seven planks adopted as the Farmers’ Union’s platform :—(II) That grants for roads and bridges should not depend on the wiU of the Minister, but when voted by the House should be applied to the particular work for which they were passed, and on no account bo diverted or allowed to j lapse, and should be spent by tholo- ; cal bodies wherever possible. (2> ; Tlita. when rural Crown lands arc • thrown open for settlement, the provisions of the Land Act shall be car- , finned out so that selectors .may have a choice of tenure as provided , [or, viz., purchase for cash, lease I with the option of purchase, and ' lease in perpetuity. (3) That all i holders of land on lease in perpetu- : itv or perpetual lease shall have the right to purchase the freehold at any I time after the improvement condii i.ons have been complied with, either i by immediate cash payment or payj meuls extending over an indefinite j tima reduction in rent to he made I in proportion to such payment ; no j transfer to be registered unless such i t ransfer has attached to it a dcclar- ! at : on by the purchaser in terns of 1 the Land Act and the Land for Set- ! (dements Act. (1) That the native j lanes which benefit from the expendiI lure of special and general rates i shall be placed on the same footing las European lands so situated. (5) I Thai taxation through the Customs I should be for the purpose 'of raising rmemie and not for protective pur- | poses (6) That no interference | with existing contracts, such as is I proposed by the Fair Rent Bill, i should be enacted. (7) That only ratepayers be empowered to vote in local government matters in counties, road boards, and rural districts. It was left to the Provisional Executive to formulate a series of questions to be submitted to Parliamentary candidates based on the platform. It was resolved to urge upon the Railway Department the necessity for the more accurate weighing of trucks, and frequent taring of trucks; that an annual addition to the public debt must entail heavy taxation on farmers and workers, and seriously handicap the producers of the colony; that the Union considers loans to local bodies should be relieved of the mortgage tax ; that mortgages shculd be deducted from the annua! value of land bearing the graduated tax. July 8. The circular drafted by the president yesterday was adopted, and ordered to be circulated among branches as a direction for the coming elections. The morning was afterwards taken up with a conference with representatives of freezing companies of the colony. It was indicated that the subjects for discussion would heft) The grading of sheep by the Government on similar lines to those of grading butter ; (2) opening up new markets by the companies, suggesting the West of England and South Africa, the latter to be worked by a poo! of companies ; (3) the better distribution of frozen meat in England ; (4) insurance ; (5) freight.