148 THE STORY OF THE U.F.O. 



spite of natural increase in population, immigra- 

 tion, and extension of settlement; 



AND WHEREAS rural life has been rendered 

 difficult and trying, and farm production has 

 been checked ; 



AND WHEREAS the present condition in the 

 rural districts is justly attributable to the 

 unequal rewards of farm and town industry, 

 owing to the dominance, in Parliament and 

 Legislature, of privileged urban interests; 



AND WHEREAS the Provincial public debt has 

 increased at an alarming rate (now exceeding 

 100 million dollars) and the annual expenditure 

 of the Province has increased almost five-fold in 

 the last 15 years; 



AND WHEREAS both of the old parties are 

 responsible for this state of affairs ; 



THEREFORE, WE, the United Farmers of 

 Ontario, deem it our duty, to ourselves and the 

 Province, to seek independent representation in 

 the Legislature, with the following objects; \ 



1. To cut out all expenditures that are not 

 absolutely essential. 

 ' 2. To abolish the system of party patronage. 



3. To limit Governmental activity respecting 

 commercial co-operation, to legislation facilitat- 

 ing co-operative effort, to the keeping of accurate 

 records, and to general education along co-opera- 

 tive lines. 



