N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8152, 30 May 1906, Page 6

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. PAHIaTUa, May 29. The Wellington Provincial Conference of the New Zealand .farmers' Union opened here this morning. Mr J. G. Wilson (President of the New Zealand Union) presided and delegates from 47 branches were present. In his Presidential address Mr Wilson congratulated the delegates present on the increased membership. Since last year the Union had started a Mutual Insurance Society 'under great difficulties. Whether it should be a Wellington Mutual Insurance Society or a North Island one had yet to be decided. They must decide either to have one each tor the North and South Islands or one for the whole oolouy. Referring to appointment of rural teachers in Auckland and Wellington, he believed these appointments were largely due tr. the Union's efforts. The duty of those appointed was to go out into the country and hold classes, and give a practical idea of the methods to be adqpted in the teaching of rural or agricultural subjects. They had to impress upon children that farming was the greatest profession, just as it was the most valuable one to the colony. He did not think it was for the Union to run an accident insurance company at present. The Colonial Conference thought they should take a more active part in politics than they had done. They had done so from a farmer's point of view, but not from a party standpoint, lie hoped they would not enter into party politics, and become the "hacks" of any political party. It , was 47 years sinoe wool was at its present high price. They could not, however, expect it to keep at that price. The followng resolutions were carried:—"That the Government be urged to so amend the Laud Act as to give all Crown tenants the option of purchasing the freehold of their land at the original value on payment of the difference between the 4 per cent, now charged under the lease-in-perpetuity and 5 per oent charged to tenants with right of purchase; that land hoards be given power in their regulations to allow tenants under the Land for Settlement Act to cultivate their farms as they pleased, provided they had spent a sufficient amount on the farm to protect the lessor; that the Government be asked to give all subsidies on a graduated scale; that looal bodies be represented on the Assessment Courts; that the Railway Department run as many exclusively stock trains as possible during the busy season; that the Government authorise the AgentGeneral to enquire into excessive London warehouse charges on wool, with a view to getting the same reduced; that no further inorease of duty be imposed on : imported argicultural implements; that the Government exempt potatoes from Customs duty of 20 per cent advalcrem, owing to the potato blight in the colony; that the proposed export duty on hides be opposed. The Conference adjourned till tomorrow morning.