Mail Notices.

Mails close for the following, places, as under, subject to the necessary alterations.

SAN FRANCISCO MATL, TUESDAY, Aug. 26.

For Northern Ports and West Coast, also Samoa, Hrwaii, Philippines, Japan, United States, Canada, etc, also Continent of Europe and United Kingdom, via San Francisco (due London Sept. 27th), per Eotomahana, at 5.45 p.m.

Commercial.

Havelock Street Mart.

Mr Henry Stephenson reports as follows on his Saturdny's sale :—There was a good attendance throughout, and bidding was brisk. Fowls, Is Id to 3s 4d per pair; ducks, 2s 9d to 3s 9d per pair ; geese, 6s to 6s 6d per pair,- turkeys, 7s each. Pigs — Sold well; weavers, ss, 6s 6d, to 7s 6d; stores, 10s, 14s, to 160 ; porkers, 20s, 27s 6d, to 29s 5 fat pigs, £2 Is to £2 18s 6d. Pro duce—Seed potatoes, fd per lb; eating potatoes, 4s to 5s per sack ; parsnips, 2s 6d per sack ; carrots, Is 6d per sack j onions, $d per lb; wheat, 11s to 12s per sack. The usual sundries sold well.

DEATH.

Fagan.-—At Alford Forest, on Saturday, August 23, Michael Fagan. Aged 71.

Asgburton Guardian MAGNA VERITAS ET PRÆVALEBIT. MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1902. Local and General.

Weather' Forecast. — Captain Edwin wires :—Strong winds to gale from between north to west and south-west; glass fall soon j indications of rain.

Death at the Hospital.—A man who was admitted to the Hospital from Meth yen on the Bth inst., died at the institution yesterday.

Ashburton Trotting CiiUb.—A meet ing of the Ashburton Trotting Club was held on Saturday, when the programme for the meeting on tha day after the Show was passed. The sum of .£IBO will be offered in stakes. Seven new members were elected.

St. Patrick's Sports Association.—-As will be seen by advertisement elsewhere a special general meeting of the St. Pat rick's Sports Association will be held in the Catholic boys' school to-morrow evening, at 8 o'clock, when a full attendance of all members is urgently requested, as the business is extraordinary.

Farmers' Union.—Mr W. Harding wil* attend a meeting of the Ashburton branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union to be held in the Mayfield schoolroom on Friday next, August 29th. The business is to consider the formation of a branch for the district and to give general information with regard to the work of the Union;

Land Taxation—Speaking on the sub ject of land taxation on Saturday, Mr G-. W. Leadley severely criticised the remarks of Mr Geo. Laurenson, M. H. R., one of whose last utterances in Hansard -was " I stand for a progressive land tax." A good many people had no idea of the vast influence of the Farmers Union in keeping a cheek on anything detrimental to the interests of the Farmers.

No-License Crusaders—From last week's " Prohibitionist " we learn that, by an ar rangement with the New Zealand Alliance, an Qtago Presbyterian Minister has devoted part of the month of August to No-License Crusade work, EevE. Walker supplying his pulpit meanwhile. During September the Rev ThoF, Fee will engage in similar work, Mr Walker supplying his pulpit. Ari inti mation, confirming the above, was made at the Earing Square Church on Sunday.

Bible Reading in State Schools.—A telegram from Auckland states that at a meeting of Protestant clergy of all rienominations represented, it was decided to hold a Conference at an early date, when Archdeacon Calder will give a specimen lesson to a class of children from the book used in the Victorian school for Scripture teaching. This will be followed by a public meeting, and a further movement re Bible reading in State schools.

Out op the Rut.—At the Baring Square Church on Sunday morning the Rev Thos. Fee introduced a little variety in the presentation of his discourse. The text chosen was Hebrews 12: Verses 7 and 11, relating to Divine chastisement, from which it was shown that the object of such disciplinary measures was for the maturing nnd mellowing of character. Mr Fee then, in illustration of his snbject, gave a fairly lengthy synopsis of that part of Ralph Connor's powerful book "The Sky Pilot" which has reference to the heroine's ex periences, and the methods by which she was intellectually and spiritually educated mainly through the instrumentality of a painful accident and its consequent effect on the physical system. The allegory of the Canyon was well told by Mr Fee, and the whole incidents as culled from the book, made a fitting illustration of the truths which the preacher sought to impart.

Ashburton County Brass Band Con cert.—The second popular concert by the Ashburton County Brass Band will take place on Tuesday evening, 26th inst., in the Oddfellows' Hall, when the following programme will be rendered:—Selection, " Echoes of the Ocean," Band; song, " Out on the Deep," Mr G. Carson ; cornet solo, " Air Varie," Mr C. Wilson; song, " The Old Cromona," Miss Gates (violin obligato Master Claridge) ; violin solo, " Theme de Paccini," Mrs W. McDonald ; exhibition of club swinging, Mr A. H. Jewiss; march, "Rylanda," Band; song, " Trankadillo," Mr W. Anderson; euphonium solo, " You'll Remember Me,'? Mr J. Marsden; comic song' ?'Those Girls at the Schqol,'' Mr Bei?t Flower j selection, " Songs of Scot land," Band; " God Save the #mg/' "We regret that through ill-health Mrs Wi} liamson will not be able to take part in the concert as announced.

Stabbing Case at Masterton.

United Press Association—By Electric , Telegraph

Masterton, A ugust 24 A shocking affray took place at midnight on Saturday in Queen Street, Masterton, when a labourer named Daniel Mahoney stabbed a rabbiter named Edwin Gunther, aged 28, in the groin, inflicting a terrible wound. The wounded man's bowels pro truded. He was promptly attended by Dr Eoss, and conveyed to'"he hospital, in an unconscious state. Drs. Butement and Brugh, with Dr Eoss, performed an opera tion. The man is considered to be in a precarious state. He revived sufficiently this afternoon to allow of his depositions being taken by Mr James, S.M. Mahoney, when arrested, stated that Gunther and two other men had set upon him, knocked him down, and kicked him. He shouted " murder," and acted in self defence. He said that at a previous time in the evening he took refuge from the same men. The affair appears to be the outcome of a row in an hotel in the earlier part of the evening.

The Boer Generals.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.

London, August 23

Mr Kruger is bitterly disappointed at the determination of the Boer Generals to loyally adhere to the peace terms. Botha declares that it is the duty of the burghers to respect the laws, and become faithful sucjects of the King. De Wet is pressing Dr Leyds for docu mentary proof that M. Delcasse, French Minister for Foreign Affairs, as Leyds al leged, promised to intervene prior to the ssue of the Boer ultimatum.

There are indications that the Boer colony will desert Brussels in favour of Dresden.

The " Standard's" Brussels correspondent states that Fischer, Wesselsi and Wol marans intend to take the oath of allori ance, und apply for permission to return to South Africa.

The British Army.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. London, August 22 The War Office is making experiments with a new eighteen pounder field gun, which promises to be superior to anything in the possession of the other powers. With a view to stimulating recruiting, the War Office is arranging to station a battalion of Scots Guards in Edinburgh, and a battalion of the Irish Guards in Dub in.

Eruption of Mount Pelee.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright New York, Aug 23 A severe eruption of Mount Pelee took place on Thursday, heavy dust showers causing total darkness for twenty minutes, and extending seawards for a distance of five miles.

A Pitiful Tragedy

?IVE CHILDREN DROWNED

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. London, August 23 The tide overtook and drowned live little girls who were paddling on Filey beach, despite the frantic efforts of their mothers to resoue them. The elder girls held up the younger ones in their arms till over whelmed.

Alpins Fatalities

A DISASTROUS SEASON

United Press Association—By E'ectric Telegraph—Copyright London, August 22 Two more accidents have occurred on the Alps, two proving fatal. Two English brothers, who were climbing the Wetter horn, are missing. London, August 23. Nearly forty alpine fatalities have oc curred this season., The two Englishmen, brothers> reported missing on the Wetterhorn, were killed by lightning also their two guides.

Prance and the Church.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Paris, August 23 The Papal Nuncio here warned the Vati can that any encouragement to the Nationalists to renew excesses in connec tion with, the religious ©rders will result in the denunciation of the Concordat.

THE FIRE ON THE APARIMA

"United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Albany, Aug. 23

The pumps on the Aparima and the dredge have been working continuously since Thursday at the fire, which exhibits signs of abatement. It is expected that an attempt will be made today to clear the seat of the outbreak. The bulkhead be tween the bunker and the No 2 hold is al most fused. The coal and cargo will be removed. It seems certain that the ship, which has now settled low in the water, has sustained great damage.

The Mount Kembla Disaster.

Sydney,, August 24

Thp street collections yesterday, in aid of the Mount Kein>la sufferers, realised £1000.

The Australian Drought

United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright Perth Aug 23. The Eastern farming districts are suffer ing from a severe drought, and the late crops are ruined.

News in Brief.

The Wellinglboii subscriptions to the Ve terans' Home amount to .£I6BO 13s Qd. Mr P. J- O'Eegan will be a candidate for Wellington City at the General Elec tion. The adjourned meeting of the High School Old Boys' Association will be held next Thursday evening. As the business is important it is hoped that a large num ber will be present. Puring the past season a Waimea Plains settler has killed no less than 1500 9parrows by the old-fashioned method o£ paying noo r turnal visits to the hedges with a lantern and net. Kulloo, one of the two remaining natives of the north-west province of India, who came out with the late Sir J. Cracroft Wilson in 1853, died at Christchurch on Thursday. Calcutta is to be improved by driving •w'de open thoroughfares through the slums o/t&api£y,.#» c°st of nearly .£2,000,000 sterling]'. ■ ' The Weal Tyre Co. are bringing o»t p vulcanised cover, the same style as Palmer, to fit the same rims. The present Ideal tyre will continue to be made up, but! that Will also be a vulcanised tyre. ■ ' Never despair! The worst Cough or Cold wift succunib' to Jbjdo influence of TUSSI CUiSA. Try i,f " '""'"' " s §n)oke New Venus

Farmers' Union.

Address by the President.

The Union's Politics.

A general meeting of members of the Ashburton branch of the New Zealand Far mers' Union was held in the A. and P. rooms, Arcade, on Saturday last, the Presi dent, MrG. W. Leadley, in the chair. There was a very good attendance of members.

THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The President explained the object for which the meeting had been called. In ac cordance with a promise made he would give them a resume of the business trans acted at the Colonial Council of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, held in Welling ton in July last. In delivering his address the President said : — You have been called together to-day in order that I might be able to lay before jou a brief statement of the business done at the Colonial Council of the New Zealand Farmers' Union recently held in Welling ton. Some of you have been enquiring what the Union was doing, and some state ments have been made that it was almost dead. But I may tell you that it is very much alive; and although, perhaps, this movement does not bulk so largely in the eye as it did at first, yet it is quietly and steadily forging ahead. Of course a great deal of our work has been foundation work —work of a very important and a very necessary character. You know that when a building is being erected a great deal of work has to be done before much of it looms up very largely to the eye of the casual observer. Sometimes much of the work of foundation laying is done out of sight, but it is none the less important, and none the less a sign of progress ;—and it is with pleasure that I can tell you that the foun dation of this edifice has been " well and truly laid"; laid deep, and broad, and strong; and that we believe that now the superstructure which will be raised upon it no matter what winds may blow or tempests beat, it will stand firm like the house that was built on a rock.

THE CONFERENCE. The Colonial Council was in many res pects a unique gathering,'so thoroughly representative of the farming interest of New Zealand been held in any part of the colony. When we consider the circum stances under which the gathering was held, the number attending it, the importance of the farming industry os the greatest wealth producing section of the community, and the importance and far reaching effect of the matters discussed, and the decisions) arrived at, there can be only one conclusion, and that is that the gathering was one which will mark the dawn of a new era in the history of the farmers of New Zealand. There are those who have sought to belittle the efforts of the farmers' council, and to misrepresent the opinions expressed and the decisions arrived at. But we can afford to ignore these caluminators and cranks whose only desire is to advertise themselves and curry favour with a few who realise that I the Farmers' Union is a factor to be reckoned with in the future, and that it is likely to upset some of their schemes and plans. The newspapers have published very full and accurate reports of the work in the Council,—and as you, noddoub t were [ careful to read the reports when they appeared—my duty to-day is merely to recall a few of the important thinga done, and give you a sort of repetition of what you have all—or most of you at anyrate have read. The Council was attended by fchirty one delegates, representingevery part of the colony except Westland. Westland has, | just come into line by forming several branches, but did not send a representa ! tive. There were 170 subjects or questions set down for discussion, and unfortunately for lack of time, we had to drop about one third of them. A good deal of time was i taken up with the revision of the rules and mapping out our political platform. Of course this work will not have to be done i again, so that when the Council next meets i it will be able to devote its full strength to I questions sent up by the various provinces. But although we had to shut down on the Order Paper on the last day, yet nothing really of importance was omitted. Those questions which were discussed, were debated with such an amount of ability and vigor, and with such intelligence as did great credit to those taking par}. Indeed, the high level of debating power- in the Council was a revelation to me. I have heard several debates in the House of Par liament on many subjects, but I have heard nothing to surpass what I heard in the Colonial Council of the New Zealand Far mers' Union. One gentleman, who from his wide experience was a very competent judge, declared to me privately that the Conference was the best he had ever been present at, and he said he had reported thirteen Conferences of different kinds. We were fortunate in being able to secure the services of Mr J. G. Wilson as our Presi dent. Mr Wilson, as a chairman, is simply unsurpassable. His alertness, his urbanity, and courteous bearing, his unvarying good temper, his wide knowledge of the rules of debate gained in his Parliamentary career, made him an ideal chairman, and it is largely due to his ability as a leader that the Conference was the success it undoubt edly was. One of the chief questions discussed after the rules and platform was that of land tenure. The proposal, which was passed by the Ashburton Conference last year and endorsed by the Christchurch Conference held last May, was that all' holders of land on lease in perpetuity or perpetual lease have the right to purchase the freehold at any time after the improve ment conditions have been complied with, either by immediate cash payment, or pay ments extending over an indefinite time. Reduction in rent to be made in proportion to such payments. No transfer to be registered unless such transfer has attached a declaration by the purchaser in terms of the Land Act and Lands for Settlement Act. All monies received to be earmarked for the purpose of extending the land for settlement policy. This, of course, means the recognition of the principle of freehold; but safeguards it so as to prevent the reaggregation of large estates, This is one of the chief points of attack by the opponents of the Union. The Trade Unions Conference havp always tiltpd at the, free hold tenure and penny-in-the-slot politicians like Hornsby, Hogg, Laurenson and Ell who have always brought their heaviest artillery to bear against this part of our platform. But as is usual with these gentry when ever they speak of the Farmer's Union they always speak with the greatest economy of truth. Mr Laurenson, when he addressed that famous meeting of Socialists in Wellington, declared that we were going in for a state of things which would result jn something worse than Irish landlordism. He deliberately misrepresented the Unions* positionj and led his hearers to believe that we, as a Union, were entirely opposed to the present' Government land settlement policy/ and wanted freehold tenure and nothing else. Now the position which the Union take up in this, viz : that those who take up land from the Government should have optional tenure. That the man who haying leased a section should (if he ever finds liimself in a position tq do so) be allowed to buy his land either at once or by a system of deferred payments, but that no transfer shall be registered giving the free hold of more than 640 acres first-class land or 2000 aores of second r class land to any, j one man; and that the money so obtained' should be earmarked and used only fop the purpose of buying out other estates to be cut up for settlement. It is contended that this system would be preferable to' that of continually going in to the London money market and investing the money in land. No reasonable man, I think, could object to such a system as that. The dis cussion on this matter was a very able and yery interesting one, and the proposition was affirmed by a yery strong vote. Taking the vote as what it really is, that is, the opinion of the farmers of New Zealand on what tenure 'of land best, suits them, it would be matter of surprise if they had expressed any other opinion. They, at any rate, know what tenure suited them best, and as men Whose Urea are spent upon the %d)' an<| those; whol? is invested,'iu it.

they are entitled to have what they prefer, No doubt the decision aimed at will be, as indeed it has been, bitterly resented by the town unions, and by their representatives j in Parliament, who are for ever dictating to j farmers what conditions they are to live i and labor under. And political freaks like ! Mr Laurenson, who are for ever tootling on their own little penny whistle, will denounce us as a " Landlords' Union." But I think their condemnation will have just about, the same effect upon the Farmer's Union as \ the nightly howling of Sam Slick's dog] had upon the moon,. Sain Slick, the American Bhowm(an, used to regale his audiences with a story about his dog, which went out night after night and barked at the moon. And the joke was when the j hearers asked well what of it. Oh nothing,! said the humorist dryly, nothing—" The moon just kept right on." And I think that is what will happen to the Farmer's '. Union; notwithstanding the yelping of these cnrs it wi^l keep right on. Of course Mr Laurenson/and others like him must advertise themselves in some way; they: must keep themselves before the public, or else thoy would be forgotten ; and it is a rery easy thing to get together an audience of thirty or forty people in a city hall and "like the voice of one crying in the wilder ness " declaim against the Farmers' Union. So far as I can gather from the report the only point made by Mr Laurenson at that famous meeting was when he said that the Union had asked that 'gulls might be destroyed; that protection should be removed from ' gulls.' He thought that a very unnecessary request. Inm reminded of Falstaff's little pennyworth of head in such an immense quantity of sack. Another subject and one which has great importance to farmers is the question of Farmers' Fire Insurance. The object of the leaders of this Union is to obtain for its members fair treatment in matters of business, and when their interests are pre judicially affected by existing conditions or practices, to see whether those interests can not be fairly recognised and conserved. It has long been felt that farmers are unfairly treated in the matter of premium rates on their insurances. That, in short, they are made to pay for the losses which the companies make in the towns and cities. Of course where a fire does occur in the country it generally makes a clean sweep, but it is usually only one building that is affected. The fire doe 3 not communicate itself to a whole block, as is often the case in towns. Nor are there the large accumula tion of expensive goods and stocks which there usually are in towns. To show you exactly how great the difference is between the claims made for county losses and those made in respect of city, business, and suburban dwellings I will quote you a few figures:— ' >

£. 8. Losses on farmer's buildings... 3,605 0 d. „ City and Suburban... 32,530 0 0 „ Business premises 380,34>2 0 0 371,477 0 0 This shows the great disproportion there is between the losses made by the insurance companies in respect of their city business and those of the country. The leaders, of the Union very early took this matter up and approached the insur ances offices in order, if possible, to obtain for members some concession in the matter of rates. You must bear in mind that all I the Companies doing business in New Zea ; land are associated; that, in fact, we are !under the thumb of an insurance trust; the Companies having come to a mutual agreement that they will not reduce rates. Well, when we sent a deputation to inter view them, they at first fenced the question, telling us that business was very unprofit able and all the rest, but when we showed them that they had for years been paying very high dividends, and giving every indi cation of carrying bn very profitable busi ness, then at last they politely told us that they could do nothiug for us. , Well, we were not going to let matters drop. The question was kept steadily in view, and it came up before the Council in two ways. Firstly, as a recommendation that we estab lish a mutual insurance scheme for our selves and do our. own business; and ! secondly, the recommendation of Canter i bury, that we take advantage of the very generous terms offered by the Canterbury— now the New Zealand—Farmers' Co-opera tive Fire and Marine Insurance Company, which, in response to our request, had de cided to recast its policy, to alter its deed of association, and throw open its doors, so that every man (no matter how slender his resources) with aay insurance business to transact, could have that business done at thecheapesb possible rate, and be himself a partaker in all the benefits occurring from partnership, in a very strong and very economically managed institution, which, I may say, does not accept town risk, and thus does a much safer business than any other Company. The basis upon which the Company offer to do our business is as fol lows:—A new issue of one pound shares has been authorised. These shares are available to new members only. By the payment of the small sum of 5s you may become a member of the Company. You will then be i able to insure your properties through them, and you will receive at the end of the yrar ! the ordinary dividend on your shares, and a bonus of 10 per cent on your premiums paid. In addition to the benefit you your selves receive, you will help the Union, as all business introduced through the means of the Union will be treated in the same way a3 ordinary agents, that is, the Union will receive a commission, on the premium iearned.

FROZEN MEAT INDUSTRY. One of the questions to which a great deal of the Council's time was given was the frozen meat question. This was one of the remits sent up by North Canterbury, on the motion of Mr Studholme. When we think of the magnitude of the frozen meat trade, and its importance to this colony, you will, I think, agree with me that any efforts which may be made to place it on a better ' footing, either by cheapening the cast of products, improving the methods of distri bution, or in any way endeavouring to secure to the grower the full market value ! of his product, are matters well deserving I the thoughtful attention of all good colonists. < There can be no question but that the future of this colony is bound tip with the success or failure of the frozen meat in dustry. Other countries can compete with us in grain growing, andjjwill, I belie vOj eventually beat us. Cheaper land, cheaper j labour, and shorter distance must inevitably I tell in the Iqng^ run, wd in these important I factors we are hopelessly handicapped with j such countries as Canada and the Great T^orth-west Russia, with its immense tracts of good wheat growing land, and its close I proximity to the world's centre, London; j Argentine, with its cheap Basque and imv i ported labour will eventually crowd us out! of the English market. Our dairymen will J need to put their best foot first to hold their own with the production in other countries, Ithe Netherlands, for example,who, enjoy ah immense advantage o,ver us in _ short clistanc.e. and cheap labour. But in. on* ' frozen meat business we ha.ye attained a, position of distinct advantage, and it there fore behoves us to hold fast that we have, and seek by every possible means to con-| serve and extend that which is to us of first importance. It was the recognition of these facts which led the Qolonial Council to invite the representatives of (the different Meat Companies to discuss the question, with us in Conference. I w%s one of the Committee elected to draw up questions for. submission to the meat men; and on© or two things which I discovered somewhat surprised me. I found the North Island men intent on adopting a system of Govern ment grading. Th^e success which has at tended the adoption of Government gra'dmg in the dairying industry and al3o in flax, had led them to think that the same suc cess would follow follow if applied to meat, I fought against it with all my might, but it was no good; they were wedded to the idea and would have it. You can readily judge my intense satisfaction, when the j following morning one after another the j frozen meat men got up and put their foot on Government grading. Another of the questions submitted was the improvement of the methods of sale and distribution afc Home. I must state candidly that we;got: just as much encouragement and help as I expected* we should. The position, may bet briefly summed up in this way.- The • meat export companies are perfectly well satis fied with th,e existing conditions. TheF

are, for the most part, carrying on very profitable business. They pay very fair dividends to their shareholders, and have accumulated in some cases very large re serves. I think I saw the other day a statement to the effect that the Wellington meat export Company had just declared a dividend of 8 per cent, and added £25,000 to the reserve fund. I am told that an other North Island Company has a reserve fund equal to its original capital So we cannot wonder that these Companies are content to let things remain as they are, and will not readily admit that we have much to find fault with. And in this con nection let me say I find that we in Canter bury are in an immensely better position than our brother farmers in the North Is land. There they really have some griev ances which call loudly for redress—But we really have very little to complain of— It is possible that we do not obtain for our beat meat a prioe which its superior quality warrants us in expecting. But in other respects we are undoubtedly in a very' superior position. "With regard to the opening up of fresh markets at Home, and' pushing our meat in the provinces, there seems to be a consensus of opinion amongst the meat men out here that Smithfield is the best market we can have. The require ments of the provincial trade are so peculiar , that it would seem almost impossible to guage them just exactly. The different places all seem to require a different class or quality of meat, what would suit one place would be unsaleable in another. So it requires men with local knowledge who can buy just what they require, and in such quantities as can be absorbed, and keep up regular supplies of that quality and grade. It is the same in dairy produce.. The cheese for instance, that would sell in one place would be utterly unmarketable in another. So we see that the question of distribution is more difficult and intricate than we have thought it to be. One thing I learned which much surprised me, and that was that the cool stores into which our meat is re ceived on arrival are not connected •with any of the great railway systems of Eng land. This seems to mo to be a great de fect, all our meat having to be moved either in barges or vans. Since my return home, however, I have noticed that this defect has been remedied in one instance at least, a new cool store having been opened which is connected with the railway. No very tangible result accrued from the interview with the meat men, though a good deal of information was vouchsafed. Naturally there was some amount of deleeacy in dis closing their individual methods of business before a promiscuous audience, but I am free to admit that they treated us very well in deed, and deserve our thanks for their ready acquiescence with our request for an interview. To my mind the question may be briefly summed up in this way. Any improvement either in the manipulation or disposal of four product must be worked from this end. It is clear that the days of the small shippers are numbered, there is a tendency to shake him off. The com panies don't want him, and no doubt he is a disturbing factor at the other end. What then must be done. I think the farmers will find that the wisest' course ,is to end their risk at this end by selling their meat at per pound in the factory. This, of course, has its dangers as well. t>ne dan ger is that you will create a ring of buyers who for a year or two may give you air prices in order to get the trade into their hands; and then after ; that will start to force down prices to the producers. There is another way in which small men might possibly obtain better results than at pre sent, viz., by pooling their meat according to grade, just the same as the wool is now pooled according to class, and sold in lines and the proceeds divided pro rata. The whole subject is surrounded, with difficulties, but it has not been abandoned; The Colonial executive is still keeping the matter in view, and the results of their deliberation will be circulated in due course. Something may yet grow out of it which will be of service to us. At any rate the fact that attention has been called to the abuses that exist will-in itself do some good. After the Conference with the meat export men—the Council carried the following: -" That some form of co-opera tive combination of those interested in the trade is essential for the realisation of the full intrinsic value of our product." :

THE UNION'S POLITICS. I cannot possibly enumerate all the sub jects discussed by the Council, but I may touch lightly of few of the more important matters dealt with. Ono matter was pre paring .a- series of question planks for our platform, and I think I had better go through these and explain them a little. This platform, I may say, will be printed in the form of questions, and will be sub mitted to every candidate during the forth coming election campaign, and on the character of the answers gent will depend the man's chance of support from :the " Farmers Union.. Of course there has been a great outcry amongst thosa who "are trying to injure, us that we are going away from o\ir : proper course in meddling with politics,^ efforts have been made to at tach us to one particular side or party^ and we have been told that we are avowedly opposed to the present Government. This lis a mistake. We owe allegiance to no party or side. Our motto is "Policy, not party." Our politics are our own. Our, position is clearly enough defined in the resolution 'passed in Wellington, viz.— '•That provided members will, vote in accordance with the policy pf the New Zea land Farmers 1 Union as laid down by the Colonial Conference, it is immaterial to the Union, as a Union, to which party such member may belong." Surely that is clear enough, and definite enough, to anyone not wilfully blinded by prejudice. We make no secret of, the fact that we desire and in* tend to influence as far as we can the political life of this country. And my own belief is that the political regeneration of 1 this country is to come through the Farmers* Union. And we honestly believe 1 that our platform is a good and a workable one, and one which will be for the benefit of the country as a whole. Let me briefly go through it.

1. —Government Grants for Roads and Bridges.-^ That grants for roads and bridges should nob depend on the will of the Minister, but when voted by the House should be applied to the particular works for which they ar© passed, and on no account bo diverted or allowed to lapse, and should be spent by the local bodies wher ever possible.

This is a very comprehensive plank. It strikes at quite a number of abuses which' have grown up under the present system. People sometimes wonder where the surpluses come from. Well, a good lot of it comes from unexpended votes. Money is voted by the , House, and the member gees home and tells his constituents that he has secured a vote, for the local culvert or what not, and the people's hopes are raised. But somehow the money is never spent, or if spent is. diverted to some other work in quite a different district; perhaps in a district represented by some more , subservient and obedient member, or it may never leave the Treasury chest; and then after a while it goea to swell the next year's surplus. Or, if it is spent, it is done s.O under the slow, expensive, and alto gether unsatisfactory system of 00-opera tive contracts. So we nailed this plank down that all money -when once votect should be honourably spent and made to' go as far as possible, and not used for th<& purchase, of. political support. 2.—That when ruritf Crown lands are thrown open for settlement, the provisions of the Land, Act sb.ou.ld be'carried out» so t^ac selectors may have the choice of tsnure as provided f or* viz.* purchase for cash, lea.se with option of purchase,* or-leas© in perpetuity. The freehold tenure clause I have re ferred to already, exoepting to say that if there is any " landlord union" about it, it is on the other side. This olause was inserted particularly as a safeguard so that the land would not be mopped up by large estates.

3.—Freehold tenure of land. This I have already dealt with 4 and it is un necessary to say more. '■■: 4.—That Native lands, which benefit frotn. the expenditure of speoial and 'gerid val ra,tes shall-bo placed'upon the sar^e footing a*s European lands sd situated;.' " ' This applies more particularly to* the North Island, where great ijardshijj is laid.

THE ASHBURTON GUARDIAN: MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 1902



»~H.»rmrTi nim»n i mit in iii I i . iii ll' i ■--lln ml i ' mill _ BUSINESS NOTICES. I --THE CYCLING s MASON.— 1 NEW NOVELTIES !! ] MORE IMPROVEMENTS 1! ! NEW PATENTS !! ! Just Landed-Continental Vulcanised Tyres (Bunlop) A BSOLUTELY the best wearing and lightest running Tyre ever made. Fits any J3L. machine. Price 25s each. Admitted by Exports to be the most serviceable Cover ever invented. PUMP CLIPS.—We have a grand assortment of all the latest in Pump Clips, Toe Clips, etc. Hill's improved " TNSTANTER," with locking device, 2s per pair. No rattle whatever, and so neat and light. : Enamelling and Plating Department : Now is the time to have your Bike overhauled, enamelled, and plated, etc. Our Enamelling and PUting Plant is the most up-to-date m New Zealand, henoe our success in obtaining tho highest awards wherever exhibited. Largest Cycle Makers and Importers in New Zealand. Aehburton Branch—Burnett Street. >^__-1M ______



BOOTS. BOOTS. WE ARE SHOWING Choice ranges in Ladies' boots and shoes, Full stocks in Children's school boots. Smart shapes in Men's Boots Slippers in endless profusion. TT7E WILL ACCEPT a Very Low Price for ga number of jODD LINES of Boots and Shoes. MITCHELL & TURNK if.



HUBBUCK'S OILS & CASTLE BRAND COLOR A S Specified for use by all leading Architects and used on all Board of Education Works. WE USE ONLY THESE : : s All work done under supervision of our thoroughly Experienced Poreman, ME. CHAS. CHAPMAN. Bl GN.-W Rl'T ING. W. H. COLLINS & CO., Painters Glaziers, Signwriters, Paperhangers, Examiners and General House and .' Art Decorators. S/"i"O Tl^/i" For keePin£ frost off early Fruib. Best and cheapest



■ nOJi <jf^m factory mHE LEADING Establishment for Well-made Fashionable Clothing. JL ■■ ' Hats, Caps, Ties, Shirts, Collars, etc. JTEW GOOES FOB TSE STXKMSB SSaSO-, Including all the Latest Novelties, WILL BE OPENED EARLY NEXT MONTH. New Zealand Clothing BALaFJ^ ALL THK HAGE Special Reductions —:o:— Special Reductions NICHOLAS &PICKFORD INVITE COMPARISON OF VALUES. Ladies' Felt Slippers at Is, Is 6d, 2s~6d, 3s, 3b 6d, 4s, 4s 6d, ss, 5b 6d. Childrens' from 8d per pair. School Boots from 5s per pair. Ladiea' Walking Shoes from 5s 6d to 18s 6d per pair Ladies' Evening Shoes from 2s Cd to 18s O'd per pair Gent's Balmorals from 3Os, strong Shooters from 9s 9d PLEASE to remember we hold an Extensive Stock of High-Class Boots, Shoes, and Slippers of every description. Prove our prices. Boys and Girls Boots a specialty. Our Motto-is—" Small Profits and Quick Returns."



NICHOLAS & PICKFORD, EAST STREET, ASHBURTOJf, mMI _ ,|, M ,, M |, ,|,|,, - ■- „__..„; «--- OTI aOTB«l«»>«W«MW»«» u* J. WILSON, BURNETT STREET. Painter, Glazier and Paperhanger.- — IMPOETS JDIEECT FROM THE BRITISH MA&UFACTUEEES WALL PAPERS Of Every Description- AT <?rt tf afinind White Lead, Mixed Paints, Linseed Oil (raw or boiled), Window Glass, Mirror Glass, Picture Mouldings, etc. I stock required for Painting and Decorating Houses, ~vr TT_ The Public dten buying from me, or having work executed, can thoroughly riVB. «Ji S:£r«ENUINESS of all the material procured or used as the WhTl sell and use i. the genuine article, made specially for house SKtoi 7 BuvWin laSeattantilfes and bling a tradesman T know exactly what PjSSd. S-flassTrfdeCe^^^ltown or country to execute Paxntmg, Paper faaS?Ssbfpo?Sndedto P romptl^ .KWBf «** «_, breadth, and height of ■G. ME.DDINS . . "OBSPECTPULLT requests inspection of the following '■ seasonable articles, just J__> landed, at prices which should tempt all to buy. Including Spades, Forks, Bakes, Hoes, Trowels, Hedge Shears, Ladiea' and Boys' , *_. a_d *__, etc. farm ers; R EQUI SITES> wrww WFTTING -Hnvin^a large stock on hand I am selling-Sheep (with centre j JXt SdJS^d i FoVlSin, Id; 24ia 1 W , 36in,2d per yard, .mailer mesh *u_ to *ll l ftiS?e PfspSy of CABEENTER'S TOOLS, and keep the greatest variety 'at the lowest prices in Ashburton. The Peoples' Ironmonge", Burnett Street, opposite Arcade. i



F. FERRIMAN. * FOR SALE. FARM EOAD, ALLENTOtf. A VERY Desirable Property comprising x\. 5 acres y;ood land, with family residence. Situated within easy distance of the Public School and Woollen Mills. Immediate occupation can be given, and easy terms of payment arranged. F. FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent. ] FO R SAL E. ALLENTON. 4 DESIRABLE little property compris ing nearly £ acre of land and a 1 Dwelling of three rooms with double brick chiinuey. The property is for immediate sale ana possession. F. FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent



FOR SALE BURNETT STREET WEST. I HAVE received instructions from the Executors of the late James Haw kins to sell Town Section 645, containing i-aere, situated in Burnett street West, adjoining the property occupied by Mr D. Leitch. The improvements consist of a well-built four-roomed house. The property is well situated, and is in close proximity to the centre of the town. My instructions are to effect an imme diate sala. Easy terms can be arranged, and prompt possession can be given. Further particulars can be obtained on application to F. FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent. "fok bale ' AITKEN STEEET, ASHBUETON. AVEET Desirable little Home, replete with every convenience, compris ing five rooms, pantry, bathroom, and detached washhouse. Water laid on from windmill to washhouse and bathroom. The land is nicely laid out in gardens, and well stocked with fruit trees. Easy terms and immediate possession can bo given. F. FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent. ~~ FOR SALE. Near the Alford Forest Eoad. A FOUR-BOOMED HOUSE and Section planted with Fruit Trees. Price £130. F. FERRIMAN. FOR~SALK



ALFOBD FOREST EOAD, ASHBTTRTON j MR F. BULL has instructed me to sell j his property situated within a few j minutes' walk of the Woollen Mills, con- j Bisting of about -$ of an acre of land, upon , which is erected a house of 6 rooms; imme-1 diate occupation can be given, 'and easy terms of payment can be arranged. ; F. FEKRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent. FOR SALE " ALFORD FOREST ROAD, NEAR WOOL LEN MILLS. HOUSE of 4 rooms and porch, together with one acre and 29 perches of land The property is occupied by Mrs Kissane, and is for immediate sale and occupation. Price and terms may be obtained on application to F. FERRIMAN, Land and Estate Agent. Mqy^^jiyy^-..-. ■ 1/1, — ; . ■.. '. r— ■' iJ* BUSINESS NOTICES. For Your Profit ALLOW us to emphasise the fact that Snratura Tea is incomparably the finest Tea in the market. It is a Tea that has won the confidence of even the most fastidious Tea drinkers. SURATURA TEA Is as nature made it—perfect. It is a high grade, hill grown Ceylon Tea, perfect in bouquet, in aroma, perfect in flavour, perfect in quality and absolutely pure. Suratura Tea is honestJTea, and is guaranteed not blen ded with Indian, China or any cheap or inferior Teas. Retail Prices— Suratura A quality—ls 8d per lb Suratura B quality—ls lid per lb Suratura D quality—2s 2d per lb Suratura X quality—2s 6d per lb Procurable from - J. T. Cooeh, Ashburton. J. W. Lill, Dunsandel J. R. Carey, Fairton D. Miller and Co., Hinds



H GRESHAM,! SUEGEON AND MEGHANICAB i DENTIST. By Examination, October, 1897. ' P> IGHT years experience with E, G. and i F. W. Gresham, Dentists, Dunedw and Invercargill. i Has commenced practice in rooms upstairs from the entrance to Thomas' Auction Eooms, Burnett Street. | Stoppings'in Gold, Amalgam, and Cement. ' Gold, and Porcelain crowns made ; also sets of teeth with "Vulcanite and Porcelain gums. Gas administered. All work guaranteed. | I-losjbb of Attendance —9 a.m.—^^s p.m. I Private Residence—Care Mrs G^rant, Wills Street. , : ■ "notl'ce" ~^~^., __ j Pis_! Bsh! Pish! | TO ANGLERS AND AL& INTEEESTED. ' OUR New Season's Stock of Fishing '■ Goods just to baud ex s_. " Whaka- • ! tane " from London. Rods, Eeels, Minnows, 5 Traces, Casts, Flies. Gut, Minnow Trace and Worm Boxes, Waders, etc, ete.^ ■ Being direct importers from the manu-1 facturers, quality and prices cannot be ■ j liotaien. • IW* '.I-/'1 • .1.c.. J--J-' _ Cl^^Ar, r>4- \



Tailoring.—We have just received our iirst two shipments of new summer goods comprising the most up-to-date suitings as I now worn at Home, We always encourage ; customers to select from the web which is ' far more satisfactory than ordering from small patterns. We have a very large . stock to select from. We employ first class tradesmen—every garment njade on our I premises. We guarantee all our wopkj j fit and style at prices that will compare I favourably with those of any leading New Zealand city firm. W,e respectfully invite customers to kindly order early to prevent ' disappointment in the '•' rush " before the shows. Craighead and Berryinan the i leading tajloi-3 Ashburton. [Adyjb,]'.' ! If you have Pneumatic Tyres you rnusfj hays a reliable article, otherwise they are a constant source of annoyance. Consider i ing that the IDEAL TJWE costs no more I than the average price, it is hardly to be i wondered that this brand has beQQme so , deservedly popular. ' Every person who has tried TUSSICUEA . says the same thing. It is absolutely infallible in all cases. ! Second-Hand Bicycles Wanted.—Hav fag sold out of second-kand bicycles, I am $'6>y prepared to taketweniy machines as pail; p^fmb^ £ ,cr the New Season's Eudge- WhitwortH Bicycj.es, which are now being unpacked, and'are'adnfitiiea^to te 365 days ahead of all other machines^ in 'ihn'-ift^vjf&t —R. I>. Johnston, Agent, Burhett'l Street, [Advt]. •■..•■; , Is Marriage a Failure, or no ? To answer is nobody's place, O^ly ,tame ffl& experience will show kin each 'ihqiyidual oape. What's worse than'a very bad (joM ? Nothing,"we feel j^iiitj sure—* ' The best thing .to'take we are'told 3* Woods' Great Peppermint C^jbk.. Wade's Woi'm Pigs—the Wonderful Worm Worriers—are always effective, Is boxes every where



1 'o\ii> .prizes defy competition. Goods at 1 jj}modiu ybr' ,Oiy:,ictc.hui'ch prices. We ask you to ascertain pyx prices before pur chasing elsewhere. * f' \ 1 HARDLBY BROS. j: IMPORTERS & MANUFACTURERS, I Ashburton. I -Orders 'by 'JWW& »R? mptly attended to. | SALES ma,y Qpme and sftlejs may go, ! then ,the question is—Where &<? &&p ■ good, sound, honest yalue the year t roun^' j Try H, C, Baebett's Drapery, Clothing, I and Boot Warehouse. Discount; at the i rate of one shilling in the pound to Cash j Buyers of any amount over nine pence j worth. ! 1 Worms undermine Children's Constitnt- { iona. Use Wade's Worm Figs Is boxes. Smoke New Venus