FARMERS' UNION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13661, 1 August 1908, Page 6

FARMERS' UNION.

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, July 31. The Farmers' Union passed a mouion that the Conference is not. in favour of any alteration being made in the size of corn sacks.

It was'also-. K6olved that names of vendors and buyers of stock be given when, stock is sold at public auction. The advocates of the motion contended that its eifect would be to prevent the "trotting" of prices, and giving of misleading statements as to place ot origin.

'■. It was also decided that the Conference recommend the selling of beef by weight instead of at per head.

-It. was resolved—''That in order to encourage the planting of forest trees all land over one acre in extent planted with forest trees should be exempt from land tax, and local, rates." Severai speakers urged that New Zealand was on the eve of a timber famine, and some encouragement should be given to the planting of trees. The motion was passed, and it was decided to bring under the notice of the Government the question of granting a bonus for all land planted in trees.

The Conference threw out a recommendation from Southland—"That, in view of the danger of the three-party system being introduced inoto New Zealand politics, the Farmers' Union discuss the advisability of urging the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition to consider the question of coalescing." But passed ithe following:—-"That the time has arrived when the Union as a whole must take a more active, part in politics, and a firm stand against socialistic legislation, and that all farmers' candidates should be asked to pledge themselves to oppose allmeasures detrimental to the farming community, whether they may be a Government measure or otherwise, and that in any electorate where more than.oua

didate pledges himself.to do so, a.meeting of delegates from each branch in-the electorate shall be called .by the premier branch, and such active steps be taken as are deemed desirable in the electorate to secure the return of the candidate who can be relied upon .to support the Union's platform in Parliament, irrespective of party, and that this ConfewMice draw up a series of questions embodying the policy of the Farmers' Union for use in electorates."