FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2201, 27 May 1908, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION.

WELLINGTON PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE.

A GOOD PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. (Press Association.) FEILDING, May 26. The 'Wellington Provincial Conference of tho Farmers’ Union opened nere to-day. Mr. J. G. Wilson pres.ded. Forty delegates were jpres- - lit. In liis presidential address, Mr. \Vilson said there was nothing special to report in regard to membership, but that was really because the farmers had been passing through peaceful times. The Laud Bill was dono with now, and there was nothing to fight for. The Farmers’ Union was. tlie territorial army of New Zealand)’ for. they were prepared to defend the land. He regretted our young people wore not- inclined to go to sea—a diequieteniug fact, as attack might come from the sea. It was, of every importance to farmers to have command of the sea, and they should encourage cadets. It> was a- year of surprises, in the fall of wool to 4d or' 6d, and the rise of butter to 151 s; the drought and the wonderful recovery therefrom. There was no justification for the big drop in wool. Ho hoped for great results from Dr. Cockayne’s experiments’ in cross-ferti-lisation to get rust-resisting oats. If the price of butter keeps up there was nothing to fear in New Zealand, but they had a great deal to learn yet in the dairying industry. He congratulated tlie Wanganui Education Board on its instruction work in this direction. Young people will save the dairying ‘ situation, and will bo poineers in testing and selecting cows, improved methods of farming would have to receive attention. Afforestation was necessary, and the Union should take it up. . a.;, v The following remits were earned:' That the Government be urged to amend the. Land Act so as to give all Crown tenants the option of purchasing the freehold of their lands with the original value and the payment of the difference between tlie 4 per cent, now charged oil the lease_ m perpetuity, the 5 per cent, charged to tenants with the right of purchase and all future lands disposed of shall carrv the right of purchase. That the Colonial Executive bo asked to get an amendment to the Arbitration Act that a majority ot employees must be members of a union before they have the power to cite employers to appear before an industrial’Court. ■ • £ ~ That in view. of the failure of the. Conciliation and Arbitration Acts to prevent strikes, and the unfair and weak manner in which the Acts are administered, it would be in the best interests of everybody concerned it these Acts were repealed or amended. That in no case should preference he given by any Court to members of any union of farm laborers.