FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2218, 16 June 1908, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual conference-of .tho Poverty Bay Provincial Executive ol the Farmers’ Union' was opened yosterdiiy. Present: Mr. A. It, Watson (Waimala), in the chair, Messrs W. Lissant Clayton (Tiinroto), A\. K. Chambers (Ihitutalii), T. lUliott (Motu). AV .D .S. MncDonald( Motu), A\. 1). Lysnar (Gisborne), and J. Hutchinson (Rakau-roa). Apologies woro received from Messrs Birroll and Bridge. Tho Chairman, in submitting the annual report, which was as follows: "According to tho rules of the Union i have tho honor to submit tho following roport- on tho work, etc., oi tho Union during tho past year. Tliero is no material change to comment on. Tho membership is substantially tho same as Inst year, one branch has been revived and ono has dropped out. Tho bnlnnco-sheot to be submitted shortly will. show tho Union’s position financially. Following tho advico given by tho -Hon. Mr. AlcNab at a recont visit toMotu, tho Executive linvo mndo repeated representations to the authorities on the rabbit question, railway extension, and hotter ronding facilities betweon Poverty Bay and Opotiki, and otlior matters of intorest or importance to the district. I have no doubt tho incoming Executive will continuo to agitate on these matters. It is quite unnecessary for mo to point out what the results to Poverty Buy would be if rabbits oven got a foothold here. The prosperity of this town and the country generally will be greatly enhanced when tho railway gets far enough to tap tho vast timber areas of Rakauroa, Tahora, and Motu, and it is to tho new country there and towards Opotiki that Povorty Bay must look for an outlet for surplus stock. With this object in view hotter roading to Motu and the speedy completion of the Pakihi road from Motu to Opotiki • aro works of supremo importance. During the early part of the year bi-monthly meetings of the Executive woro well attoiuled, but during the latter part things were not so satisfactory. It might bo advisable for this conference to consider the question of reducing tho number of members on th<j Executive. Your Executive devoted a vory considerable amount of time to considering the Land Bill, which was discussed clause by clause at a special meeting, and amendments and recommendations were forwarded to the Union headquarters. It is satisfactory to note that the Act as passed is a great improvement on tho Bill as submitted, but no Land Act that dqes not uphold the right of tho man bn the land to own the freehold of his holding can ever he wholly satisfactory to the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. “From reports in the Union newspaper I notice that the Union is steadily gaining ground throughout the colony, and if tho present trend towards socialism is to bo successfully mot and counteracted it behoves farmers everywhere to stand together and protect their riglirs Ono pleasing feature Of tho year’s work has been tho amicable settlement of the shearers’ 'dispute at Palmerston North through tho good offices of the Union . there. The district has had amplo opportunity for making the acquaintance of manv ge ; ntlemen of high position in Parliamentary matters. Most of the Cabinet Ministesr and tho Leader of the Opposition have visited here during the year, and one and all have expressed flattering opinions on the' resources and prospects of the Bay. During the ensuing year a Parliamentary election will take place. I am firmly convinced that until the Union takes a more active and definite stand in political matters it powers will never rise above those of any debating society. The political attitude of the Union- will come up for discussion during the day. “I regret that more support is not given by local farmers and members of tho Union to the Mutual Fire Insurance scheme. The Hawke’s Bay Association now accepts risks in Poverty Bay, and has. a local representative on its board of directors, and farmers can now insure their properties with their own company at reasonable rates.

“During the year, the colony has suffered severely through' the shortness of money and the sudden fall in wool. Our other products have been fetching good prices. Judging by the cables at the close of the last London wool sales I do not think I am too optimistic when I say I think things are not likely to be any worse. As a setoff against the low price of wool, our country has never looked better at tbiiv time of the year. Inland and up and down the Coast feed is plentiful and stodc looking very well,, and the winter is well advanced. With reasonable prudence I think farmers can look forward with confidence to the coming season. “In conclusion I wish to thank members of the Executive for their work.during the year. Several of the most regular attendants at our meetings have long distances to travel, and all have given their time and trouble ungrudgingly.” Mr. Clayton, in' moving that the report be adopted, said the apathy displayed by farmers in the work of the Union was to lie deplored, but lie hoped that the benefits to be derived from the Union would be more fully recognised. He thought the fall in the price of woo! could be viewed witli some optimism’, as already the market was on the'rise! He coupled a vote of thanks to the Chairman with his motion. Mr.'Hutchinson eoeouded the motion. which was carried. The balance-sheet i-bowed receipts £9O 18s 6d, and expenditure £4B Os 9tl, leaving a balance in hand of £42 17s 9d.—The balance-sheet was adopted subject to being audited. The election of President was then proceeded with. Mr. A .R. Watson was'nominated by Air. Clayton, but declined re-nomination as lie could not possibly spare the time required up interest in the work of the Union. Mr. Elliott asked Mr. Watson to ro-consider bis decision, and Mr. Watson agreed to undertake the oflico. Mr .Lysnar said the members of the Union would help Mr. Watson all they could. Mr. Watson was declared re-elec-ted.

The President briefly 'returned thanks.

The following officers were elected: Vice-President, Mr. W. D .S. MacDonald Relegate to the Colonial Conference, Mr. T .Elliott. A resolution was passed empowering the members of the old Executive to vote ancl speak at the conference. Mi'. Clayton asked if it would not be better to have a smaller number on the Executive than thirteen members: The Chairman agreed that a smaller Executive would be more workable. My Lysnar said lie did .not think the number should be reduced. •• Mr McDonald moved tint the number of members of the Executive be thirteen and Mr Lysnar seconded the motion which was carried. The following Executive was then appointed:—Messrs Clayton, Bridge. Birroll, Chambers, Elliott, Lysnar, Hutchinson, A. .J. Cameron, Kent. Sainsbury, T. Holden, Patterson, and Benson. REMITS. The conference then discussed the remits to bo submitted to the colonial Conference to he hold in Wellington in July next. The first was “That it is -.ui instruction from tilie Colonial Executive to Provincial Executives that in the matter of Parliamentary representative's the Provincial should-definitely state which candidate in each electorate in its district it considers the most suitable man to (represent the farmers interest. and urge on all members of the Union to loyally support 6iich candidate in the same manner in which Labor Unions work so effectively in returning tlieir members.” The Chairman moved the adaption of the remit and that it he sent to the Colonial Conference. He thought it was desirable that provincial executives should have sufficient confi-, dence from the farmers to be able to judge the suitability of candidates as, to -their loyalty to the interests of farmers. ■Mr Chambers seconded the motion and said that a large number of. members or the Farmers’ Union tlioup gUt the Executive showed a sad lack

of duty in not taking moro interest in politics and should strive to elect men to Parliament who hold kindred views with tho members of tiho Union. Ho thought such a resolution should be passed. - Mr. W. -D. S. iMiicDo-nmld said ho thought discussion of tho remit should bo: postponed until there was a largo attendance of members of tho 'Executive. Tho. Chairman said that even tho discussion was adjourned it could not bo considered by-tho now Excoutivo. Air. AY. D. Lysnar thought tho conference could only discuss business connected with tho branches. The branches had had no notice of the motion, and tho delegates woro asked to consider off-hand -a motion of vital interest to. the Union. The effort to try and use the Un-ion for political purposos at tho last election did a great doal of harm and much to create apathy, lie would vote against tho motion. The branch ho represented -would not be a party to entering into tlio political field Tho policy was not to identify itself with particular candidates or a definite political party, but to considor'meas-. ures of interest -to farmers on tlioir anorit. Parliament would’ bo more respectful to tho Union -avlnilo it kept a freo .hand- in politics. It was not for tho Unions -to make momberß change their political color, but to try and do tho best for tho farming industry. lie understood tliero was considerable friction in tho Patutnhi branch over tho remit. There was quite enough work lor tho Conferonco without ontering into party politics.

Mr. Clayton said ‘ho did -not think Mr. Lysnar quite understood the true position. There -was nothing in tlio motion to .indicate what sido of politics tlio Union should support. They might select a Government supporter or >iui Opposition supporter as being best to represent the Union. They saw the power of labor unions, whose executives chose a candidate, and tho -inomlbers of tlio union gave a block vote -to the” candidate selected, tlio result being that the candidate paid closer attention to tho views of tho Union both whon in Parliament and outside. Tho 'feeding that the Unions should select candidates -was growing, and ho hoped the time would come when tho principle would bo approved. Ho saw -nothing objectionable in the remit, and hoped it would bo adopted. Air. Elliott said ho agreed with tho motion, and was prepared to drop his private views and vote solidly with the Farmers’ Union. Tho Union had every right ’ to enter politics to figli. for the freehold, if for nothing else. While ho was against Mr. Lysnarh politics, ho would voto for him if lie was selected by the Executive. •Mr. Chambers: Is it a judicious thing to sit down idly while the labor unions were winning the fight all along the lino? Mr. Lysnar said ho was quite prepared to say the Executive should' know the views of candidates, but should not definitely select a candidate for tbe rest of tlio members.

•Mr. Chambers: Is there any other union th-.lt is not doing the same as wo are advocating?. Tho -Chairman said the Union should not wait for grievances, but should get To work before the -grievances came along. The farmers could not support a Government that included socialists and- single-taxers. Tho coutirry was governed by party, and if the Union did not pin its -faith to some party or another the farming interests would go down. Until the Unions took the!r proper place in politics their power would never be felt. He did not think anything would be gained by adjourning the discussion.

Tho motion was carried by four votes to (two. Tho Chairman then moved —“That the Union take a decided stand against tho dangerous -and socialistic movement which is spreading throughout the Dominion, and urge its members to oppose any candidate who encourages socialistic views.”

The -motion was carried without discussion. Air. AVatson moved—“ That the Government be -urged to amend the Land Act so as to'give ,all Crown tenants the option of purchasing the freehold of tlieir lands at tSie original value and the difference between the' 4 per cent, now charged on tlio lease in prpotuity and the 5 per cent, charged to tho tenants with the right of purchase, -and all future lands disposed of shall carry the right of purchase.” Air. Lysnar said he could not agree with the motion, as it was too exiremc 1 . ■ -Air. Elliott ,agreed -with the motion. Mr. Clayton said that if the words original value were altered to- read fair value it would be less emphatic; but perhaps more diplomatic. The Chairman .said he would likeany alteration, made by the Colonial Conference. Mr. Lysnar said ho was not prepared to move any amendment. Mr. AiacDonald said the remit was. rather ambiguous. Mr. Clayton thought it would he better to -re-draft the resolution.. The motion was amended so as to read “so as to give all the L.ffJP. Crown tenants, other than those settled on resumed estate lands, the option of purchasing tho freehold at a fair value.” The amended rcsolutiou was then -put and carried. The Chairman then moved—“ That tho Valuation Act be amended so that in valuation- for improvements full value shall bo given for actual benefit to the land from improvements othor than visible.”

iMr. Clayton seconded the resolution, which was carried without "discussion.

■The Chairman also moved—“ That Coe Shearers’ Accommodation Act be amended, to exempt sheds where natives only are employed, (from the oipTations of the Act.” He said lie knew that many natives .preferred to live in tents and often refused to also the accommodation (providedMr. Chambers- said his Maori shearers always preferred to sleep in tents.

The motion was carried. Li moving—“That a reasonable number of employees must comprise a Labor - Union . before they have power to cite employers to appear before an Industrial Court,” Mr. Watson said the resolution did not as yet -affect the farmers of Poverty Bay, but might do so at any time in such a way as it had done in Canterbury. The remit was passed. .The following remit to the Conference was then mentioned—“ Tint the Government should specially subsidise all main (arterial roads.”*

Mr. MacDonald said the ment' had promised to spend £250,000 a year for five years, and in view of’ that the remit, should be struck out. . The suggestion wis adopted. . ' “That in the best interests of Gisboref.Motu, and Opotiki districts the Public Works (Department he. urged to complete tile connection of these districts via the Paki’lli road with all reasonable expedition ”

Mr. Elliott asked that the remit be struck out in view of the promise givon by Sir Joseph Ward on day.Mr. MacDonald concurred with the request, which was agreed to: Mr. .Elliott moved—“ That the Public Works Department and the Premier be (Urged to continue the construction of the Gisborne-Rotorua railway with all speed, at least as far as Rakauroa.” - The motion was carried.

The Chairman then .moved the following remit ho sent to- the Colonial Conference —“That “Inspectors have power to order dairy herds, including hulls, to he treated for contagious' abortion. Notice to be givon to have herds so treated, where considered necessary by the Inspector.” •Mr. Watson said it was desirable that something should be clone on the lines suggested by the motion. A new series of dairy regulations had been issued, but he did not know if the request of the motion was covored by them. He urged the Executive to -pass the resolution. 'Mr. Lysnar seconded the motion,, which -was carried. Mr. Clayton then moved—“ That this Conference is in farvor of revising general rules so that Provincial Councils shall levy oil the -branch oil a graduated scale on capital value, and that' the branches collect such

levy -together with tlio sum-sufficient to carry on the work of the branch. Air. Lysnar thought tho levy should bo fixed'bv ttfio Colonial Conference, The motion' wiis amended ns suggested by Mr, Lysiiiir, and carried. It was 'Unanimously decided to request tho Government to establish a Land Board -for Poverty Bay. - Mf. AA r . Lissant Clayton was elected tre a surer .for the ensuing year. - A voto of thanks tor’ tho Chairman, brought tho'Conference to a close. ’ MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE.. Provioi'is to tlio ..sitting of tho Conference a meeting of tho Provincial Exoeutivo was held. iMr. A. R. AVa-t----soti occupied tiho chair, Messrs AV. Lissant Clayton, AA r . K. Chambers, T. Elliott, AV. D. iS. MacDonald, and AV. D. Lysnar being present. Mr. AV. Morgan wrote stating that it was -intended to hold a- winter school for teachers in Gisborne next August, and asked tho Union for a donation towards the exponso, which would bo subsidised £ for £ by tho Government. L .- Consideration of tho request was deferred.