FARMERS' UNION.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12562, 15 July 1910, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 14. The ninth annual Dominion conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was resumed to-day. Mr J. G. "Wilson presided. The committee appointed to consider regulations for the control of land ballots recommended as follows :—That the disposal of Crown Lands as at present by ballot has undoubtedly encouraged gambling in land, and this Conference considers there is urgent necessity to repress this in the interests of settlement. In the Land Bill which is to Ixj brought down an attempt should hs -TCtde to stop this gambling, and consideration should be given to the various systems suggested, "viz.: (1) Sale by auction or tender, payment to be made on the deferred ' payment system ; (2) prohibition of any successful applicant from again balloting; for land; (3) or by somci other effective conditions, so that some process may be embodied in the Bill whereby only bona fide settlers •are nble to secure drown Lands. After discussion the report was adopted by a large majority. , Mr' G. H. Stewart (Otago) moved that the Government be asked to consider tho disadvantages which country school <kildren are under with the present syllabus of the Education Department, with a, vievy to its amendment. He pointed out that at it was optional for teachers in country schools to teach geography and grammar. In Ota go this meant that there were 6000 pupils in country schools who would not foe taught these important subjects except at the option of the teachers. Another disability was that country childTen going up for the sixth standard examination had to go away to strange centres.

Mr H. J. Middle-ton (Southland) considered that most of the uncertificated •teachers were in the country. The great cause of the small results achieved was the fact that the teaching was not up to the mark, and country school -teachers were not fit to be allowed to classify their pupils. While they were spending ■an enormous and increasing sum on education, they were, getting lesi and less return for it.

Mr J. E. Lane (Hawke's Bay) advocated the medical inspection of country children.

Mr F. G. Horrell (North Canterbury) protected against children being taken to strange surroundings for examination, and said that the responsibility throwu upon teachers of promoting scholars was unsatisafetory, as teachers in tho country could not withstand the pressure put on them by parents on school committees.

The Chairman said it. had often been remarked that colonial children h?*d a nasal twang, the reason was that there -was something wrong with their tonsils or something else which required attention. Adenoids were often the cause. The question of medical inspection was a very serious matter and should be token*up by the public. Medical inspection could not be expected to be done for nothing. He suggested that iho remit be added too ,urging that an effort should be made to have children attending the schools medically examined.

This was agreed to, and the motion was carried. '

it was also decided to ask that the Education Act be amended so that all Boards of Education shall be able to' control their teachers. The Conference expressed gratification at the statement; of tha Minister of Education that the grants to School Committees would be restored, and trusted that it would be on the old basis.

Mi- H. J. Midclkton (Southland) moved that imported hardwood timber bo admitted duty free and that no differential rate., be made in the rail carriage between New Zealand and. imported timber. He said he did not think there was any hope of getting iho Government to take- any notice ot them on this question. The local bodies could not possibly do without Australian haidwood. s It. was a ridiculous position that the Government should advance money to local bodies to carry out works and penalise them by taxing thorn on the material required to build their bridges Avith. Mr Eustace Lane (Hawke's Bay) said the present timber industry could hold its own against the importations, even if they camo in duty free. If an Industry could exist and survive without protection, then it should do so. He supported the motion, and would have done so. Lad Oregon timber been inserted, because he believed the New Zealand industry could hold its own against all imported timber. Mr F. F. Hockley (Hunterville) said that where they saw an established industry in which a large amount of capital was invested being subjected to unfair competition, they should come to its rescue. If the remit had included all classes of timber he would have had to oppose it very strongly. As it was, ho intended to support the remit. Mr A. E. Russell (Palmerston) said lio believed Protection worked in a vicious circle. One man was penalised against the other ,and so it went round and round, and nobody was any the better for'it.

The motion was carried

Mr H. J. Middleton (Southland) moved that this Conference reaffirm the .necessity for doing away with the present system of construction of public works by day or co-operative labour, and that all work of any magnitude should be let by contract as being the cheapest and best method. —Carried. The Conference resolved that a suggestion ba given to the Universities of New Zealand to establish classes for road engineering,, and that the matter bo brought under the notice of the Minister of Education; that the Minister of Railways bo approached with a view to securing a more equitable rate on special trains run in connection with country shows and experimental farms, and that tlw Government be satisfied -with the net cost of the train as their guarantee; that this Conference protests against the present unfair system of tlit suburban passenger rates on railways; that the farmer as well as tho merchant be siipplied with a copy of the weights of his produce in return .for the shilling per truck paid for -weighing; tliat the Government bo urged to take such steps as will ensure the public safety at dangerous crossings, many crossings being so situated that an approaching train cannot be .seen from the roadway until within a few yards of the crossing; that the Government bo asked to compensate any person for damage caused by sparks from railway engines; that the. attention of the Conference be called to the large discrepancy between the moneys voted by Parliament and the amount expended; that the question of grants to public works (Department of Roads and .Bridges) bo thoroughly gone into, and the Minister of Public Works approached with a view to the remodelling of the system ; that the Minister of Public Works be asked that the moneys voted by Parliament be available within a reasonable time, so that the work may bo carried on in the summer time: that iho Premier be requested to insert his promised Land Bill clause 51 of the Land Bill of last year providing for tho exchange of land for roads or any public purpose: that tho Government continue and largely extend the good ■work done in extending the back country with the* telephone system.

Tho follow ing officers were elected :— Dominion president, Mr J. .G. Wilson (Bulls); vice-president, Mr G. W. LeadJey (Wakanui); aidvisory committee,

Messrs J. C. Cooper (Tare); H. J. Richards (Levin); F. F. Hcckly (Hunterville); D McGregor (Masterton); treasurer. Mr W. J; Birch (Marton).

A vote of thanks was passed to Mr A. E. Russell, the retiring treasurer, ior his services during the year.

Mr E. C. Jack, the secretary, complimented upon the good work done during the year.