FARMERS' UNION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXII, Issue 11552, 4 December 1889, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

. » CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES.

[Per United Press Association,] Ditnedin, December 3. An Agricultural Conference is being held, and is largely attended, Mr Bell, of Wantwood, presiding. The subjects for discussion are— Holding an annual session of the Amalgamated farmers' Union ; reduction of railway charges on stock; abolition of duty on agricultural implements; amendment to the. Babbit Act; intercolonial freetrade; the establishment of distilleries ; San Francisco service; veterinary.inspeotion. Additional subjects are to be moved, aa some buyers of ; dairy produce have secured all the shipping in the cool chambers for butter and cheese to London, with a view to buying from farmers at their own price. The industry is how on too large a scale to allow Buch oorner work, and any Shipping Company encouraging such a scheme should .be noted. That New Zealand produce for export be classed and branded by the Government inspector. That the Conference disapprove of the land grants to a Co-operative LandiCotnpany. That all moneys require^ fop charitable' in sti» tutiohs be raised by .the ' Government by taxation, and handed over to the various trustees for expenditure. La*er. At the afternoon meeting the oi'der of business 'was fixed, and the following resolutions adopted:— (l) That the amalgamation of clubs be called "The Farmers' Union of New Zealand,'' -and that an Executive Committee of five be appointed to deal with all details of a for* mal nature, and to have power to summon a meeting of the Union when they consider it necessary; also, that a meeting be held annually at the time of holding the agricultural shows. (2) That this Conference respectfully request the chairman to communicate with the Government drawing attention to the fact that, in the opinion of the Conference, railway charges for freight on stock and agricultural produce are excessive and opposed to the settlement and colonisation of the colony. (3) That the, duty on mining, agricultural, and other machinery be abolished. (4) That the Babbit Act be amended so that the Inspector, before taking summary proceedings, should inspect the land oomplaiaed of, with the owner andja witness (to be appointed by the Babbit Inspector and the -owner); the case to be 'determined on his evidence ; ' also, that rabbit-proof fencing be included in the Fencing' Act, and that the various M.H.R.'a bo communioated with and asked to have the Babbit Act amended in such a manner as to give effect to their proposals. (6) It wa.s. $$•, cided to pronounce the sympathy of the Conference with the subject of intercolonial freetrade, a motion for the increasing of duty being defeated by a large majority. (6) The Government should -I be urged to make provision on the Esti- ! mates for a renewal of the nominated system of An executive was appointed, .as follows : — Messrs Green, Bowie, Christie, Cormack, and the Chairman (Mr : W. N. Bell). The conference then adjourned, tsl t,<j-moroow