FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8230, 6 September 1906, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION CONFERENCE.

By Telegraph—Press Association

WELLINGTON. September 5. The Farmers' Union Conference, this morning, dismissed the reciprocal treaty proposals. Mr Leadley moved—"That the'proposal of the Government to admit Australian flour duty free is one whicb, if given effect to, will seriously interfere with the profitable occupation of large areas of the most valuable land 3n New Zealand; that the growth of wheai ia an industry which absorbs a large amount of labour in production, and furnishes a large and valuable traffic to the railway and is conducive to the prosperity of New Zwaland as a whole." This, after a long discussion, was carried with only one dissentient. It was decided that representatives of the Council qf the Union)should give evidence before the Parliamentary Committee to morrow. Other matters in conueotion with the tariff were dealt irith, and Messrs Newman and Richards were appointed to watch the interests of farmers when the proposals are before the House. Mr Phillips (Auckland) moved—"That while the Union avoids taking any part as a Union in party politics every real political question may, and should be, taken au interest in, and be discussed at branch and other meetings." The motion was carried. The Uuion resolved that local bodies should be aiveu power to appoint one of the assessors at the Assessment Revision Court in districts affected, and that no valuer should be appointed under the Valuation of Land Act, unless he possesses local knowledge. Other resolutions passed were that the question of agricultural education ,for rural districts be kept prominently before education authorities and the public; that a local Government measure should be placed on the Statute Book at the earliest possible moment; that every endeavour be made to resist altering the voting in connection with rural local bodies; that the attention of the Government be drawn to the shortage of farm and domestic labour, and to the retarding of the development of the oountry thereby, and that the Government be informed that this Council urges the adoption of a strong forward immigration polioy; that the oonHtructioivof public works by 00-oper-ative labour be discontinued in favour of construction by small oontraots. Mr J. G. Wilson was re elected President for the ensuing year.

CABLE NEWS.

By?Tele?raph—Press Association— Copyright,