NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1733, 25 October 1890, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Wednesday, 22nd October. A general meeting of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was commenced at the Chamber of Commence building, Dunedin, on Wednesday, the delegates having been called together for the purpose of adopting the constitution and rales and considering the political platform to be adopted. There were about thirty delegates in attendance, including the following : -Messrs M'Ara, Craig, and Livingston (Waitahuna Farmers' Club), Mr A. M'Corkindale (Manuka Greek Farmers' Club), Messrs Cormack, Smith, and Williams (Tuapeka Farmers' Union), and Mr 6. H. Mackenzie and Captain Mackenzie (Tapanui Farmers' Club.) The chair was occupied by Mr 6. M. Bell, of Wantwood. THB CONSTITUTION AND KUIES. The draft was submitted to the meeting and freely discussed, section by section. A few alterations of minor importance were made, after which the draft was approved. THB POLITICAL PLATFOBM. The President stated that the most important question, and the one for which they had been called together, was now before them, and that was the political* platform to be adopted by the Farmers' Union. They would have seen the draft copy submitted by the executive, and the proposals contained in it would be put separately before them for discussion. Most of the questions he referred to had been already .discussed by various clubs, and from the reports that had been seen they appear to bare been generally accepted. If ihe union was to have any weight at all it must* be able to make its voice felt and re* spected, and it should endeavour to influence the elections and return candidates who would vote for the true interests of farmers, and, therefore, the true interests of the whole of New Zealand. The first section of the draft was "The reduction, and amendment of the Customs tariff so as to make it a tariff for revenue purposes only." ' -. Mr Ayson moved the adoption of this section as road. A protective tariff was a tax on farmers, and the only protection they wanted was on such things, as they bought. Mr Gemmell kusw that he was in the minority, bat he would be inclined to add to the proposal the words "and encouragement of local Industrie!," iofttnciug colonial dv* tillcriM.

J Mr Murdoch, in seconding the motion, said I he thonght the local industries had got quite enough protection. Mr Craig said that the Protection League entertained the idea that the tariff should not befor revenue purposes only, but should be a prohibitive policy. Nothing short of that would satisfy the league. Any industry, he maintained, that could not be run without a prohibitive tariff, the colony would be better without. The amendment lapsed for want of a seconder, and the motion was carried. The President said that the next subject W as_" Intercolonial freetrade as regards the natural products and the manufactures of the colonies." That was a subject on which they were all agreed, and no doubt it was most desirable. It was most absurd that, to take an illustration, fruit grown in one colony should be taxed on being received into another colony that could not grow it ; and it was also ridiculous that the produce grown here— oats in particular, and he mentioned oats because they could only be grown in two of the colonies -should be so heavily taxed. They had| in fact, succeeded in erecting a 'lot of artificial barriers againat one another, and that was not for the general good. The only question might be, how were they to attain the object they desired, for the principle would, he thought, be admitted by everyone. Mr Murdoch moved and Mr T. E. Williams seconded the adoption of the clause. Mr John M'Kenzie would not go the length of moving an amendment, but would suggest that the word " reciprocity " be substituted for " freetrade." Mr Ayson believed that if they kept pegging away at intercolonial Freetrade they would get it eventually, and he thought the farmers of Victoria would come to see that Protection was a suicidal policy. The clause was adopted as printed. The President introduced the third section of the platform—" The reduction of railway charges, rates of freights and fares for wool, produce, live and dead stock, merchandise, and passengers, and the abolition of differential rates." This, he said, was in some respects the most important matter that would come up for consideration. There was no doubt that under existing arrangements much traffic was lost, particularly in the highest classes, such as wool, cattle— which were easily travelled, having legs of their own to go on- and grain for short distances ; in fact, nearly everything was charged a great deal too highly. In looking through the railway returns for the last seven years, he found that the tonnage carried had increased, very little, the quantity of live stock had increased to a very small degree, and the number of pas\ sengers bad hardly increased at all. It was instructive to refer to what had happened in other colonies. Mr John M'Kenzie thought that the farmers of this part of New Zealand were highly indebted to Mr Bell for what he had written and spoken on this subject. The farmers had only to speak out their minds freely, and he had no doubt the changes required would be made. The Railway Commissioners were not infallible, and they would yet come to see that the colony was losing a large amount of j revenue from the way the railways were being managed. He had no hesitation in saying that if the settlers made up their minds to insist on a change of management, the commissioners would find a way to make the change without a loss but with a gain to the revenue. Mr Milne, in moving the adoption of the clause, suggested the addition of the words " dairy produce and lime " to it. Mr Ayson seconded, the motion, and said that the rates of lime at present charged were absolutely prohibitive. In many instances also the charges on chaff kept it out Of the railways. He was quite convinced that a reduction of the rates would in a very short time lead to an increase in the railway revenue. Mr Milne amended his motion so as to include the words "manure, lime, and other fertilisers ''before the words " and passengers " in fche clause. Mr Murdoch thought the clause should refer more particularly to the charges over short distances than to the' general rate 3 throughout the colony. Messrs Williams and Moore also spoke. Mr Green was prepared to support a very large alteration in the last words of the clause. While they asked the commissioners to reduce the charges over short distances, and yet retained the last words of the clause,it was almost like asking a man to run a race with hobbles on. The commissioners, he thought, should be able to so fix the tariff at once as to take the traffic and keep it off the roads. He pointed out that the ratepayers in the country were doubly taxed if the commissioners did not carry out their work properly, because they had to contribute their share of the general revenue, while they were also being heavily taxed locally to keep the roads in repair. Mr Stalker said it seemed to him that the Railway Commissioners tried to do as little as they could for those who were situated where they must use the railways, and charged them the most money. Mr J. M'Kenzie thought that the limekiln owners should subscribe to the wishes of the farmers by saying' that, if any farther redaction were made in the rates on lime, they would not pufc up the prices on the commodity. What they wanted was a readjustment of the tariff, and a reduction as far as possible, so that the railways might pay, and at the same time promote the settlement of the country, the latter being, he thought, a matter that should be as much considered by the commissioners as the raising of revenue. The clause was adopted with the omission of the concluding words, " and the abolition of differential rates." The President read the fourth clause, which advocated the retention by the State of the management and working of the railways. He explained that there were some people who understood this to mean that the Railway C. oiumissionera should be done away with. That, however, was not the meaning; but that the colony should retain the management of the railways. Captain Mackenzie suggested the insertion of the word "ownership" before the word "management." In the course of the discussion that followed, Mr Murdoch said he was not sure that this clause was not inimical to their best interests. The railways had not proved a grand asset in the past, and he was afraid they never would be well managed until they were taken out of the hands of the Government. The clause was amended as suggested by Captain Mackenzie and passed. The President read the fifth and last clause, which advocated Australian federation, reserving to this colony absolute control over its internal affairs. He said he questioned if they would secure intercolonial Freetrade until they had federation. His own opinion was that New Zealand had everything to gain and nothing to lose by entering into federation with the other colonies. Mr John M'Kenzie moved that this clause be struck out. He did not think that they as a Farmers' Union should aim at anything except what they were exclusively interested in, and this question of federation would have to be settled by the whole population. Up to the present time he bad not heard a single argument as to what benefit New Zealand would get by federation. Captain Mackenzie seconded the proposal to omit the clause, and did so for a reason that was not given by the previous speaker. Thouph the Australian continent might, he said, be able to produce sufficient for the inhabitants who might settle there, a great portion of it was tropical or semi-tropical, and was not fit for white people to settle or work in— if it was to be populated it must be by Asiatics, Kanakas, and Africans. After some discussion, it was resolved to withdraw the clause. JIHTNUAI. MEETING, The (suggestion was thrown out that the annual meeting of the union should be held at the present time, and a discussion that ensued disclosed a general consensus of opinion in favour of that suggestion. It was resolved that the annual meeting be held next day (Thursday) at 9 a.m. A STATE SANK. Mr Gemmell moved the addition of a plank to the political platform of the union affirming the desirability of the State advancing cheap money to the farmers on freehold security. Mr Cormack opposed the proposal, which, he considered, wonld do the farmers more harm than good. Messrs Ayson and Brown also opposed the motion, which was ultimately withdrawn.

PROPERTY V. LAND TAX.' Mr Milne moved— "That this union favours the retention of the property tax, as against a land and income tax, with a reduction of the exemption to fc'2oo." Mr Christie observed that there were a great many anomalies in the valuations of land under the property tax, and he thought that something should be done to equalise these valuations, as small holders, were taxed more highly in proportion to their acreage than the large holders. The President : What you want to do is to do away with the valuations on improvements. Mr J. M'Kenzie : Then it would be a land tax. Captain Mackenzie objected to that part of the motion which recommended a reduction of the exemption to £200. Mr Murdoch supported the motion. Mr J. M'Kenzie could not support the motion. Mr Ayson regarded the property tax as the fairest they could have, for it taxed what they actually possessed. xVIr Moore (pointed out that a number of delegates had no instructions from their clubs to vote upon this motion. The debate was then adjourned until the following morning. Thursday, 23rd October. The first business was a continuation of the discussion on Mr Milne's motion for the retention of the property-tax instead o* a land and income tax, with the exemption to ths extent of £200. Mr Green thought it would be best for the Union to confine itself to principle, and leave the details to be dealt with by the candidates and the different localities. He would therefore suggest that Mr Milne should withdraw that portion of the motion providing for the exemption to the extent of £200. After discussion, Mr Moore formally moved ! as an amendment the striking out of the clause relating to the exemption, and this was carried. The motion was then put and carried in this form • ' That the property-tax- instead of a land and income tax is desirable." Mr Green moved and Mr Murdoch seconded that this be added as the fifth plank of the platform, which was carried unanimously. CHARITABLE AID. Captain Mackenzie moved -"That some alteration should be made in the incidence of taxation for charitable aid." He brought this forward because he held the belief that the burden of charitable aid should be laid on the shoulders of the persons most fitted to bear it. At present the heaviest end of the burden was supported by owners of land who, in many cases, had enough to do without that. He would not argue that the contributions should be taken, wholly from the consolidated revenue, because in such a case there would be no control, and great extravagance would be the rule. At present we had partial control, and great economy effected in the administration, but if the money were contributed wholly by the Government, there would be no local control whatever. What he desired was that not; only those who owned land, that was to say ratepayers, should pay, but that all who had property of any kind should be called onto contribute. Mr Green seconded the motion. He was of opinion that the power should be taken from the resident magistrate and given to the administering body of dealing with the poor and indigent. After discussion, the motion was declared carried unanimously. ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTILLERIES. Mr Murdoch brought this question forward, and suggested fchair the Union should urge Parliament to do something to encourage the establishment of distilleries so as to provide farmers with a market for their barley. The President pointed out that the matter had already been taken up by the Union. Mr Murdoch did not wish to burden the platform, and would therefore simply put his motion in this form : " That it be an instruction to the Executive to keep the subject before members." Mr Dunn seconded the motion, as a question of practical farming. The motion was put and carried. PUBLIC BORROWING. Mr Ayson moved: "That we support no candidate -who is in favour of further public borrowing." He remarked that the people of his district felt so strongly the need of public economy that they were willing to shelve the Edendale and Fortrose railway at present, rather than have any more loans. The settlers wanted the railway, but not at the price of further borrowing. Mr Christie seconded the motion. Mr Williams said that we must put in the peg somewhere, and thought we ought to stop borrowing at once. The President said that if a loan were raised in the present state of affairs the prob ability was that four times the amount required to complete railways would have to be borrowed so as to give sops to other districts. After further discussion, the motion was put and carried. THE RABBIT ACT. Mr Ayson asserted that the Babbit Act, as it stood at present, was a very unjust Act, and. a disgrace to the laws of the country. A farmer who had rabbits on his land was made a lower class of criminal than the greatest thief in the country. He had known instances where the magistrate had commented on the cases as being very hard, and yet he had to inflict as a fine not tne amount that he thought adequate,' but as much as the law specified. He moved: "That the attention of the members of the House be directed to the circular of the Farmers' Union of New Zealand dealing inter alia with the amendment of the Rabbit Act, in which amendments were proposed as follow : ' That the Inspector before taking summary proceedings must visit and inspect the land complained of along with the owner and witness appointed by the inspector and the owner, and that the case be decided on the evidence. 9 " Captain Mackenzie, in seconding the motion, condemned the Act as a disgrace to their civilisation and an insult to the settlers. The President referred to the Bill introduced into the House of Representatives last session by the Hon. G. F. Richardson, who stated that he bad put his name to it to oblige a friend, that friend being Mr Lance, and characterised the measure as most prejudicial to the interests of the farmers. They would see what little success they were likely to have when a Bill drafted by the Opposition was passed through the House by the Government. Mr Green remarked that the existing Bill was the only one that he knew of in the English language by which a man was not presumed to be innocent until he was proved guilty. Every farmer desired to see an amendment of an Ac\t .containing such a wretched, principle. Mr Christie thought it would be the best thing to dispense with the Rabbit Act and the department altogether. Mr Cormack remarked that the Act was so bad in its operation that those who were supposed to enforce it did not always care to do so, knowing how inequitably it worked. In many cases there was a good defence, and it ought to be heard. Mr Stalker thought it would be better to do away with the department and allow the settlers to fight the rabbits on their own account. Mr Smith favoured the abolition of the Act. Rabbit inspection cost the country £14,000 a year, and it did no good. He would prefer to see a more general erection of rabbit-proof fences. Mr Ayson having again spoken, his motion was put and carried, and it was resolved to incorporate it in the platform. THE CAirFORNIAW THISTLE. Mr Morton said that this thistle was spreading, and he thought that farmers having it on their ground should be compelled to cut it, and thus keep it from seeding and spreading toother people's land. Mr Gemmell said that in some places the Californian thistle was a greater nuisance than the rabbits. For one farmer to permit such a weed to extend to his neighbour's land was as bad as picking his pocket. Mr Williams was not in favour of appointing more inspectors. Mr Ayson thought that legislation would not help in the least. What was -wanted was that each farmer should keep the thistle cut on his own land. ■

It was ultimately resolved, on a show of hands : " That steps should be taken by the Legislature to enforce the destruction of the Cftlifonuan thistle.";

GIVING EFFECT TO THB PKOPOSALB. The President said that the order paper was now exhausted, and it only remained to see that they were given effect to. They should see that each candidate for parliamentary honors was bound to at least promise to work for the accomplishment of the proposals carried during the session. They did not want members to be simply delegates, but the questions brought forward now for discussion were most important ones, and in regard to which the candidates should plainly say " aye " or "nay." Mr Christie asked whether the Union were prepared, in the event of any candidate not satisfactorily answering these questions, to bring forward another candidate to contest the election. The President replied that that would be ' quite impossible. The Union did not undertake to provide candidates; they had not a stock on hand.— (Laughter.) The Union did not recognise any political party. Mr Green rose to emphasise the remarks of the President. So far as he knew the Union had no intention of taking any more than a necessary interest in the political aspect of matters. He had resolved for some considerable length of time that whenever any candidate appeared for election in his district, he (Mr Green) would not know any party. For his part he was going to be in the future a colonist of New Zealand, and give his support to the candidate who would give most prominence to matters affecting the welfare of the whole country — questions such as those brought up at this meeting. He wanted a candidate who would give support to these questions that the Union had been discussing, irrespective of wretched party lines, the following of which had done the country so much harm. Mr Moore moved : " That this Union resolve not to support political party government in future, but will only support the election of candidates who support the measures approved by this Union." Mr Smith seconded. Mr J. Macgregor was glad that Mr Green had directed attention to this question of party government, because it had been found from experience that party exigencies had obstructed reforms, and as it had been in the past no doubt it would be found again, that party exigencies would make it impossible for farmers to attain their wishes. He saw no difficulty in having a Government appointed at the beginning of every Parliament for the term of that Parliament ; and if that were done, instead of weeks being wasted in the attempts of the outs to get in, we should have a Government for each Parliament, and each Minister would be held responsible for the conduct of his own department. Captain Mackenzie said that the only objection he saw to the appointment of a Government for each Parliament was that there would be but little check on their expenditure. The way to stop that would be not to give them too much to spend. The motion was carried. On the motion of Mr Christie, it was resolved that the platform be printed and distributed through the country, including the last motion.— Agreed to. Mr Macgregor suggested that it would make the platform more forcible if the Executive were instructed to cast the various points in it in the form of questions to be put to candidates. Captain Mackenzie did not wish to bind candidates to such an extent as to make delegates of them. After further discussion, The President said that it was left in the hands of the Executive to print and circulate these resolutions among the clubs, and having done that the Executive could do no more. It would then depend on the clubs to do the rest. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the club was then held . The President briefly stated that a number of circulars had been sent, and a good deal of routine business transacted by the Executive. The receipts were £18 and the expenses £8 10s. He moved that the balance-sheet, which had been duly audited, be adopted. Mr Green seconded the motion, which was carried netn. con. The following office-bearers were elected : — President, Mr G. M. Bell ; vice-president, Mr J. Green ; treasurer, Mr Moore j committee, Messrs Borrie, Ritchie, and Craig ] honorary solicitor, Mr John Macgregor, After a general discussion regarding the question of funds, it was resolved that the subscriptions of clubs to the Union be £1 for each delegate the clubs were entitled to send.