FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2513, 28 May 1909, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION.

CONFERENCE AT AUCKLAND

[Per Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, May 27, The Farmers’ Union Conference, by 24 to 7, resolved to instruct the delegate to the Dominion Conference to urge the striking out of rule 16, which permits discussion of politics, but prohibits discussion of purely partisan questions. It was contended that farmers in discussing political matters should be on an equality with other unions. The delegate was further instructed to urge united action against the system under which local bodies depend on the Government for grants for important public works. The Conference passed a resolution protesting in the strongest possible manner against a portfolio being allotted to a member of the House who does not represent a European constituency. During the course of his presidential address this morning at the Farmers’ Union Conference, Mr. Allen Bell said that one important work that had been continued by the executive during the past year had been the agitation for reform in the present system of assessing land values. He regretted to have to repoi't that the latest returns show that the valuations made by the Government of rural lands were still being rushed up at an alarming rate. The present financial stringer)'— arid the accompanying probable decrease in land values were totally disregarded: and the abnormal booming of the past few years went merrily on. The annual increase on the unimproved value now reached the large amount of over twelve million pounds per year on the unimproved value. This enormous increase was made to the detriment of the farmer and to the benefit of the land boomer and speculator. Ho was convinced that the very worst thing that could happen to them as a farming community was this unwarranted inflation of land values. “In my official capacity,” he continued, “I have conducted the agitation against the present system, and as a result of the meetings held, a- large number of objections have been lodged and a solicitor employed to fight tlie- cases at the Assessment Court, and I feel certain that if we stand solid, prepared to fight to a finish, we can in the near iuture bring about this much-needed reform. It is a significant fact that- since the agitation started the valuer has again visited the objectors, and in some cases, I believe, cut down his former valuation by 5Q per cent. In mv lastforecast I sounded a note of warning against the creation of high land values. I would again do so, for. although the suggestion may at the time be unpopular with a large number of farmers.the day will assuredly come when the bona fide farmer will curse those who assisted in their creation, not only to the detriment of himself but of every section of the community.”

MEETING AT WAERENGA-A-HIKA

A meeting of farmers, convened by the Gisborne Branch of the Farmers’ Union, was held in the Waerenga-a-hika Hall last evening to consider the question of continuing the engagement of a veterinary surgeon for the members of the Union in the district. There was an attendance of about 26 persons, and Mr. H. Locker was voted to the chair.

' Mr. W. I). Lysnar (chairman of the Gisborne Branch of the Farmers’ Union) said that though some 70 persons had signed the agreement to contribute towards the payment of the veterinary surgeon, Mr. Luttrell, only about 14 had paid their quota. It was not right that this state of affairs should he- continued. Either the farmers should feupport the movement properly, or the services of the veterinary surgeon should be dispensed with. The necessity for having a veterinary surgeon in the district had been shown by the fact that Mr. Luttrell had treated over 400 cows for abortion, the bulk of them with successful results, besides treating a large number of cattle, horses, and sheep for other ailments. Mr D. Dinan urged that an effort should be made to retain the services of Mr. Luttrell, who, he said, had treated 6S cows of his last year, and only one case went wrong, whereas, in the preceding year, before Mr. Luttrell came, 15 cases, and in the year before that, eight cases had gone wrong. Mr. ■Luttrell had also successfully treated cases of mannnitis among his stock. He suggested that committees should Do formed at Waerenga-a-hika and in other parts of the. district to canvas for the support necessary to retain Mr. Luttreli’s services. Messrs .A. J. Cameron and \\ . Jones supported Mr. Dinan’s suggestion, and spoke in terms of high appreciation of ur. Luttrell’s services. On the motion of Mr. Dinan, seconded by Mr. Linldater, it was decided that a committee should be appointed lor tlie Waerenga-a-liika district, as suggested. . The following gentlemen were selected as the committee: —Messrs A. J. Cameron. Candy, Linklater, J. hitlock, George Jones, Gilbert Jones, D. Dinan, and D. O'Connell. On the motion of Mr. Haultham, seconded by Mr. Cameron, the committee Vas instructed to call meetings at other centres in the district m order to form other committees to assist m carrying out the movement. On the motion of the chairman, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. tY. D. Lysnar, Mr W. Wittet (secretary of the Farmers Union), and Mi. Lut trell lor their attendance at the uiect--111 Auer the- public meeting the committee thereat appointed mot and decided to call meetings as follows: At the Public School, Makauri on Monday next; at the Royal Oak Hotel. Mat aw hero, on Wednesday; and at the. Patutabi Hotel on Friday, the meeting in each instance to begin at / .50 P-m.