FARMERS' UNION

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16822, 30 May 1919, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION

THE AUCKLAND CONFERENCE. (Per Press Association}. AUCKLAND, May 29. The Farmers' Union agreed that the Poverty Bay sub-provincial area should bo recognised as a provincial 'district of the Union. A motion was carried unanimously expressing the desirability of the Government adopting a proper immigration policy. "WELLINGTON DISTRICT ENGE. WELLINGTON, May 29. The Farmers' Union Conference passed a resolution by 26 io 24, cordiaby approving of the Labour Party's suggestion of a round tablo conference to consider labour conditions and expressing readiness to send delegates to such a conference if invited. The Conference also uasolved to set up a committee to draft suggestions for legislation, which would hs acceptable to bo'tlh farmers and Oabour, and that immediate steps be taken to educate public opinion, in sound 'economic! princples. It was resolved that the attention of the Minister of Finance should be called t«< pi-egant unsatisfactory matters in connecteon with, tihe State and private money lending institutions; that where security is good ; the State should provide mon'fy at reasonable rates for farmers' needs and should restore a stable system of mortgage, aind provide in every mortgage a covenant for payment of sums before the due date without forfeiture of interest. - -■;■•■

Tihe Government is to be urged to take more effective measures to preI vent aggregation of lauds. \ Lt was i'esolved: That iu view of -the excellent l'asuil'ts from the adoption of preferential voting in Australia, the ; same system shall, witlhloxit further delay, be"embodied in tho electoral, law- of. New Zealand. '"'.'.' '-.''■''■'/

Mr Marshall was re-elected president. The next conference will be Held- >at Feilding. . The Conference is concluded. ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MINISTER. Speaking at the Farmers' Union Conference with regard to fixing prices for produce, the Minister of Agriculture referred to remarks by a farmer at Invercargill, who said that every member of the Government had his price in connection with the sale of produce. "I am going to Invercargill next week," said Mr Mac Donald, "and I am prepared to tell that man before the biggest audience he can get that he is a liar." The, Minister spelt out the word. The Minister added that he did not mind criticism, but would always resent any attack on his honour.