CROWN TENANTS AND FARMERS' UNION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14275, 16 August 1910, Page 2

CROWN TENANTS AND FARMERS' UNION.

To the Editor of the "Timaru Herald." Sir,—Speaking on the question of the delegates of the Farmers' Union interfering with the right of Crown tenants, Mr Talbot denies that that question was dealt with. Knowing Mr Talbot as well as 1 do, 1 do not think he would deny it if such a thing was brought up. Now. if Mr Talbot has not seen the report which I referred to, and if he will look up the ■•Timaru Herald" of the 21st of .July (page 7.) he will find the report in it, and if he can deny that such a thing was brought up, then 1 think we have a right to know why such a thing was published. J feel certain such a. report will cause a very bad feeling towards the Farmers' Union, and if the thing is not cleared up it will have a very bud effect with the Crown tenants who have read the report.—l am etc CROWN TENANT.''

[The "report" referred to is a paragraph, apparently a selection from a Wellington paper. The official report in the "Farmers' Union Advocate" has a longer report, to the game effect —that a. committee (of which Mr Talbot was appointed a member) recommended that in order to stop gambling in Crown leases these thould be disposed of by auction or tender, payment to be made on the deferred system"; or by some other means whereby only bona fide settlers should be able to secure Crown lands. When this' recommendation n-» s brought before the conference. Mr Talbot said he did not desire to'have his name associated with it. The report and the discussion on it, does not touch the question of lessees' right of transfer, but can only be taken to apply to future leases. The deputation which later on waited on the Premier *j U t thj»

rt commendation to him in the .shape "that gambling in land should he stopnetl." ■ This -.again could only refer to tuture leases, and ilie Premier look it that way, and .said it .should be stopyd, but it was a pretty difficult thing 10 do.—Ed. T.H.]