FARMERS IN CONFERENCE

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 5966, 3 August 1912, Page 4

FARMERS IN CONFERENCE

WELLINGTON, July 31. 'J ho Farmers' Union Conference was continued to-day. The president's address was read und a vote oi thanks accorded to the president. The Union reaffirmed the planks in its platform on the land qjuestion, namely, the right to purchase land by cash, lease with the. option of purchase, and leaso-in-i>erpetuity oi small grazing runs should bo entitled to purchase the freehold under specified conditions. Major Lusk (Auckland) moved, and the motion was carried—" That the Union urge the Government to adopt a. vigorous laud settlement policy, so that any suitable land, whether 'held by Natives, the Crown, or by private individuals, may be made available under an optional system for close settlement in sufficient areas to moot the requirements oi all genuine settlers." Mr Chambers (Hawke's'Bay) moved, and the motion was carried—"That the attention of the Minister of Lands be drawn to the necessity oi giving the best facilities ior acquirmg> farmr in small areas and that owners of large estates be encouraged to cut up their 'land into suitable areas ior small farms."

(( Mr Shea*. (North Canterbmy) mow -\\ ■"'That the Conference recommend the Government to discontinue the practice of buying comparatively small and highly improved farms with huge steadings instead of lartre unimproved properties."—Carried.

SPEECHES BY MR MASSEY AM) MR MACKENZIE. WELLINGTON, duly :il. the Prime Minister visited the Farmers,' Conference to-day and was most cordially welcomed. He reminded the Union that lie was one of its lirst members. He was not only there as a Minister but also as a farmer. He was! not there to disclose the policy of the Government, but he c o uld say that a policy would be laid before, the country next Tuesday. Jl c could not go into details, but the financial Statement was already in the hands of the printer. When that Statement came before the country ;.t would be found that special attention was being paid to the two grciu subjects .of land settlement and 'land tenure. What it was proposed to do would, he ventured to believe, be satisfactory to those present at that meeting. He hoped that the two Parliaments, that ot the farmers jand the other, would be successful in promoting the best interests oi the country and the agricultural and pastoral'development of it. He referred in terms of regret to the absence of the president (Mr J. G. Wilson) through indisposition.

the Hon. T. Mackenzie, cx-l'rime Minister a nd ox-Minister of Agriculture, was also present, h) hl was accorded a most hearty welcome. ][ c said ho believed that the people of New Zealand w<vre now taking a greater interest- in the pastoral" and agricultural progress of the Dominion. He had always as a member and as a Minister felt the greatest pleasure in hia association with the Union and its members. He gave the Union his assurance that it could command the best services ho could tender to the agricultural and pastoral industrv. He thought that the late Government left the Agricultural Dcpartwat, better than it found it. Mr M'aswrjr was by far the most suitably ramibcr of the Government for th- administration of the Agricultural U>partment. He trusted the wojk S o wll begun would be contmvwt and improved upon. They must I.rintr t n ' their aid the verv greatest fcflowfedc-e and the best stock they eoitld secure for money. It was a « u ntiniial delight to him to know thai the Department was going 0Q alld , n . os|) .. ing.

WELMNCTON, August x.. The Farmers' Union passecf tin. finlowing resolution -j~" That far Do<minion 'Executive be asked to .wrcfully watch any movement in the- direition of obtaining an increase of protective duties, a nd to potest, gainst any such increase hv interested parlies. After a long discussion on raiWav freights, it was resolved—" That the attention of the Minivers 0 [ C, H - '■ toms and. Railways be directed ■&, the hea.y x imposition 0 n fanners, euu*cd fee. extra railaßo charged ,„,, ,Vustra- . Imn hardwood, and that Ufio jniitter be given consideration, vilh a viewto its removal" it was also n-solvml-" That *(«■>•-■ j should b„ taken U end preferential i reights on rail W s,. and that aIL i Irotcflion should be through-. (HeCustoms, \i Protection is w-coTsnrv."-the,, conference also resolved! to-p'ro-tfsi,, against the continued slfcita^-of rolttee stock alM l covers, e-jp«-iallv thrt totter, a s large quantiW- of grain i *ad to be sent awav t,jfi« vear uncovered r also that'*, attention of! the Minister of I£a,ilw av s lie drawn; . to the inconveniv-ace and loss bei„..- } sustained by growers in oon«." |