Farmers' Union.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXII, Issue 3880, 30 May 1906, Page 2

Farmers' Union.

WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE.

OPENED AT PAHIATUA,

The annual Provincial Conference of the Wellington branches of the N. Z. Farmers’ Union was opened at Pahiatua yesterday.

There was a record attendance of delegates. The Woodville branch was represented by Mr J. H. Eacott and Kumeroa by Mr H. BalfoacKinnear.

The Conference was presided over by Mr J. G. Wilson, President of the Union. In -bis annual address the President reviewed the work of the Union during the past year. He expressed pleasure at the increase in the membership and that so many young men were amongst the delegates. Mutual insurance had been successfully started amongst the members in Wellington. The object to be aimed at was either one mutual for the colony or one for each Island. This must be considered by the Colonial Conference. Rural education had been successfully boomed. Through the negotiation with the insurance companies the union was able to considerably reduce the rates on accident insurance. It bad been suggested that the union should go iu for its own accident insurance, but be was not favourable to that.—(Hear, hear). Let them make a mutual scheme a thorough success first. On its polity cal side the union had taken up the farmers’ interests and not party in» teresfcs, and the union was maintaining its position as a defensive firce. Were the farmers to be as" sailed ? Well, many people would like to see us taxed more. Personally, ha was a Freetrader, but the un : OH stood for the maintenance of ihe farmers’ interests, whether they ci nj cerned machinery or land, and tbQ union must always be ready against any attack. Mr Wilson referred to the extraordinary prosperity which the colony continued to experience with the high prices for wool and dairy produce. There had been a really wonderful dairy season, de- ( spite the great deal of rain. At the close of the speech Mr Wilson intimated bis decision to retire from the presidency. The formal business having ieen disposed of, the remits from the various branches were taken. The first motion discussed was that dealing with the Freehold v. Leasehold question. The remit from Makuri was carried as follows :—“ That the Government be urged:: to so . amend the Land Act as to give all Crown tenants the option of purchasing the freehold of their land at the original value, and the payment of the difference between the 4 per cent, now charged on L.T.P. and the 5 per cent, charged to tenants with the right of purchase.” Only oua delegate opposed the motion. The following motion was also carried“ That the Colonial Council be asked to draft a Bill granting the freehold to Crown tenants, limiting the area held by one individual, and to take steps to have the same introduced early next session, and use all its influence to secure for it the fullest support of the freehold members of the House.’’

The Peilding delegate moved—- " That the Land Act be altered to allow Crown tenants to take seven crops off the land before sowing down in grass.” The following amendment, however, was carried almost unanimously “ That Land Boards be given power in the regulations to allow tenants under the Land for Settlements Act to cultivate their farms as they please, provided they have spent a sufficient amount on the farm to protect the lessor.” The following remits were also carried :

“ That any extension of the franchise in the direction of giving nonratepayers a vote on local matters is undesirable and unjust.”

“ That the Government ha asked to give all subsidies on a graduated scale.”

‘‘That local 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 High Commissioner to enquire into excessive London warehouse charges on wool, with a view of getting same reduced.” “ That no further increase of duty be imposed on imported agricultural implements.” That the Government exempt potatoes from the customs duty of 2J per cent ad valorem, owing to the potato blight in the colony.” .

“ That the proposed export duty on hides be opposed.” Messrs J. A. Gilrutb, Chief Government Veterinarian, and J. A. Kinsella, Dairy Commissioner, were present by invitation and delivered addresses. The former gave a most interesting lecture on ‘‘ Scour in Calves,” detailing the treatment necessary to combat the trouble. Mr Kinsella urged upon the farmers the necessity for agitating for a dairy school and experimental station being erected by the Government on some suitable site. He thought thatjif the Government did not grant the request the farmers should take the matter up themselves.

In the evening a smoke concert was held in the Olympic Theatre and was attended by the whole of the delegates, the Minister for Lands, Messrs Ross and Hornsby, Ms.H.R., MrJ. G. Wilson, President of the Union, Messrs Gilruth and Kinsella, the Mayor of Pabiatua, and representatives of farming and commercial interests from all over the district.

A splendid spread was partaken of, and a long toast list was honored. The Minister’s speech dealt principally with the land question. He was of opinion that the freehold was a good thing, but so was the leasehold.

Mr Ross made a brief but capital speech, and re-affirmed his intention of being true to his election pledges. A musical programme was rendered during the evening.

Advantage was taken of the visit of the Minister of Lands to open the new bridge at Marima. A luncheon was given to the visitors by the Marima people. The proceedings were marked by much enthusiasm. The conference is expected to finish this evening.