N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16800, 19 May 1926, Page 8

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE. ANNUAL MEETING OF BRANCHES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Tuesday. At Ilie Provincial Farmers’ Union Conference Hie following remits were carried:— Thai no teases of Crown, privatelyowned. or native-owned land of over •JO years' term should be permitted, unless lliey contain a clause allowing for compensation for improvements or for renewal at a rent assessed at the value at Hie date of Hie original lease, such rent lo he settled by a competent court. That the Government be urged to have a more liberal progressive land policy, so that it may lie able lo offer and make inducements to people to take up and farm many of the vacated sections now lying idle. Tiie conference is opposed to duties and embargoes on foodstuffs, and considers any necessary encouragement to grow cereals should he given in Ihc form of subsidies. Thai, the railway tariff should not. lie used for protective purposes. The conference protests against the continuance of the present high protective tariff, and asks the Government lo gradually reduce it. That the principle of taxing the divisible surplus of companies he abolished. The conference approves ilie policy of immediate free trade with Great Britain and Ilie extension of Hie same privilege, lo sister dominions when they are prepared lo reciprocate. That Hie Government ho again urged lo take over endowment lands in Ilie Norlli. That Ilie Government lie urged lo lake over ilie maintenance of ail main roads. i This conference strongly protests against Ilie. policy nr reducing income laxalion while Hie Customs clulies remain high. That any addilional laxalion on moInr vehicles lie in the form of a tax mi petrol with Hie necessary exemptions for users of petrol for other Ilian road transport. That tiie Farmers’ Union investigate Ihc statement by the Bay of Islands County Council that rates paid in error cannot lie refunded legally. That this conference approves of the Dairy Control Board having full control of all dairy products for export. This conference supports tiie election of 1 lio Dairy Produce Control Board on the single-seat ward system with voting oil the export tonnage basis by dairy company directors. t IWATAIMATA BRANCH. Tiie annual meeting of Hie Malamala branch of Hie N.Z. Farmers Union was held on Friday. Mr 11. Bollclt presided over a fair attendance. The following were elected officers for Ilie coming year:—President, Mr B. Rollctt; vice-president, Mr T. Drowse; committee, Messrs B. Rolled, T. Prowse, P. Finlayson and .1. Price; auditor, Mr E. C. Banks; secretary and. treasurer, Mr B. Blcnncrhassett. The question of secession from lire N.Z. Farmers’ Union was discussed. The president considered that a local organisation would he of benefit to the district. , ... The financial aspect was also criticised, as out of a subscription of 30s, 23s went to headquarters, Eventually notice of motion was given by the president that a general meeting he called within two months to discuss the question of secession from the N.Z. Farmers’ Union. Mr E. C. Banks was appointed delegate to the conference in Auckland. J " ELSTOW BRANCH. At the annual meeting of the Eistow branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union the balance-sheet showed a credit of £l2. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr AV. A. Clark; vicepresidents, Messrs F. M. Strange and XV. T. Dale; executive committee, the vice-presidents and Messrs Stembridge, Blackford and XVilson; auditor, Mr 11. W. Blackford; secretary, Mr A. Darcy. Arrangements have been made for a visit 7ind lecture from Professor Riddel, of the Auckland University. HORSHAM DOWNS BRANCH. The annual meeting or the Horsham Downs branch of the Farmers’ Union was held on the 13tli inst. The president, Mr F. W. Baker occupied the chair and others present were:— Messrs. Aiken, D. Bruce, T. B. Henderson, llaullain, Bodgings, MacCorquindule, Osborne, Prcest, Silcock, Strawbridgc and Winlerc. The report dealt with several remits sent lo the sub-provincial executive, including preference for British goods over American or all foreign articles, compulsory dehorning of all cattle, marine profits and high priced manures, grading of butter and cheese on local market. The latter remit was deemed to he impracticable at Ilie present juncture by the N.Z.I). Association. The branch, however, is slill actively engaged with the former remits which have been sent forward lo the eonfcrence.

It was decided unanimously that the following remit he sent to the Provincial Conference: Respecting the election of members to the Dairy Control Hoard the branch favours voting on an export tonnage basis. Complimentary references were made lo Hie retiring secretary, Mr G. L. Sileoek for liis work and liis generosily in bunding his honorariums over to branch funds. (Jne of tiie pleasing features of the year’s work was tiie enrolling of Messrs. T. 11. Henderson C. llaultain and D. Hruee as members. The report and balance sheet were adopted with applause. Mr D. Hruee is to give a paper on Farmers’ Union, its aims and objects at next meeting. The election of olllccrs resulted: President, Mr T. It. Henderson; vicepresidents, Messrs. T. freest and ISaker, Hie latter also undertaking the duties of secretary and treasurer; committee, Messrs. MaoGorquindale, llaultain, Sileoek, Wintere; delegates to Provincial Conference, Messrs T. H. Henderson and R. MaeCorquindale; sub-provincial, Mr T. 11. Henderson.