50 THE STORY OF THE U.F.O. 



The articles of the platform, as recommended, 

 were : 



1. "The nationalization of railways if a 

 special committee that is to be appointed to 

 consider this matter should recommend in favor 

 of nationalization. 



2. ' 'The initiative and referendum. 



3. "A tax on unused waterpowers according 

 to their value. 



4. "A provincial telephone system such as 

 exists in Manitoba. 



5. "A tax on land values to meet the taxation 

 that will be necessitated by the War, so that the 

 high priced city land may be made to contribute 

 its share of the burden of taxation. 



6. "That legislation be introduced suitable to 

 the establishment of co-operative associations." 



Thus we see that early in the movement the 

 faith of those promoting it was pinned more to 

 the work of education of the rural community 

 than to the success of the affiliated Co-operative 

 Company. This proposed platform was sent out 

 for discussion to the clubs throughout the 

 country and was passed on to the next conven- 

 tion for consideration. During the discussion 

 its form was considerably altered, but we find 

 in this initial declaration the germ of those 

 principles which have been embodied in the 

 farmers' platform as we now know it. 



