CONFERENCE ENDS.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17411, 25 May 1928, Page 10

CONFERENCE ENDS.

USEFUL DELIBERATIONS. MORE REMITS PASSED. After a successful lliree days’ gathering during which many matters were discussed of importance not only to the farming community but to the Dominion as a whole, the Auckland Provincial Conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union concluded last evening. Reviewing the work of the conference, the debates and general expressions of opinion reveal a unanimity which betokens well for the future of the Union. A large number of remits of vital interest to all farmers were passed, and will be referred to the Dominion Conference. Their adoption by this body will result in the Government giving them very earnest consideration and carrying into eftcct certain reforms where necessary. Yesterday was spent in completing the reading of all remits. Those finally discussed dealt with Parliamentary and political matters, education and taxation. Owing to recent developments and decisions of the executive all matters relating to the Arbitration Court were shelved. A feature of yesterday’s sitting was the remarkable enthusiasm evident when the resignations from the executive of Captain F. Colbeck and Mr R. D. Duxfield were received. Delegates on all sides remonstrated with the veterans of the Union, pointing out that their services had been invaluable, but the two gentlemen concerned remained firm. Captain Colbeck said he thought 30 years on and off the executive was a good spell, and he would like to see his place tilled by a younger man. A tribute was also made to the services of Mr Sam Browne (Clevedon), who was elected a provincial life member of the union. 6 Further Remits. Further remits were passed yesterday as follows: — “That the time has arrived when the whole system of local taxation should be reviewed.” “That centralisation of schools be urged wherever possible." “That to ensure that each member of Parliament shall have been elected by a majority t'ote, the elections should be conducted under the preferential voting system.” “That barriers -to free intercourse between this country and Britain are unworthy of our profession of loyalty to the Imperial ideal, and arc not only unnecessary but subversive to the best interests of the Dominion.” “That the funds of political parties should be subject to a special audit by a Supreme Court Judge, and that they be sworn to by those responsible as not having been contributed under any promise or pledge of special legislation.” New Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr A. A. Ross; vice-presidents, Captain 11. M. Rushworth (Opua) and Mr R. H. Fcisst (Cambridge); executive, Messrs W. 11. Allen, W. Boyd, 11. Feisst, J. B. Jordan, A. N. Macky, H. C. McCready,

11. M. Rushworth, D. C. Snclling, A. McL. Wright, A. E. Harding; delegates to Dominion Conference, Messrs W. 11. Allen, C. Boyd, R. Feisst, A. J. Giles, J. W. Jones, A. N. Macky, G. C. Munro, A. E. Robinson, 11. M. Rushworth and A. McL. Wright. Access to Railway. Tancatua delegates claimed that the construction of 12 miles of road at a cost of £2OOO would confer a great benefit to settlers of the Galatea district. It was stated that if the Government constructed the road the settlers would have connection with the East Coast Railway. The remit was carried. Maize. The following remits were also carried : “That more stringent regulations.be adopted by the Government so as to keep weevil infested maize from being landed from overseas vessels and thereby becoming a serious menace lo the maize-growing industry of the Province; it being proved that the present system of freezing and fumigation of infested maize is useless. “That this conference emphatically protests against fourpencc per bushel penalty being exacted by merchants on overweight sacks of maize. Conscription. “That in the event, of war involving this nation, mobilisation shall extend not only to human life, but to alt resources, and that, machinery for this purpose should be designed at once.” ___________