FARMERS' UNION.

Auckland Star, Issue 66, 19 March 1900, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

MEETING OF DELEGATES.

The first general meeting of the newly-organised New Zealand Farmers' Union (Auckland provincial centre) was held this afternoon at the Auckland Agricultural Associations rooms. -Mr M. W. Armstrong (Whangarei) presided, and the following other delegates were present:—Messrs (i. 11. Miuchin (Whangarei), Tibbits (Paparoa), Smith (Mangonni), Fuller (Bay of Islands), (iillingbam (Maungakaramea), Parlane (Hokianga), T. F. Downs (Tokatoka), Colbeek (Maungaturoto), Sainsbury (Warkworth), F. Over (ICaukapakapa), Scrubv (Wade), Bowler (Te Aroha), McMillan (Katikati), Lochhead (Tauranga), Glass (Te Puke), and Thos. Coates (Auckland).

It was decided to form a centre of the Farmers' Union in Auckland, and it was unanimously resolved that Mr M. W. Armstrong be the first provincial president.

The members then proceeded to discuss the objects and rules of the Union as adopted lasz year at a meeting of the head centre held at Whangarei. The platform of the Union set forth the obijects of the organisation as follow: —"The object of the Union is to foster the interests of the farmers, fruitgrowers, and settlers of New Zealand; to promote the opening up and settlement of Crown and native lands, and the formation and improvement of means of communication, to obtain cheap freights and to olace sale of pro* duce and the purchase of material required by agriculturists on a satisfactory basi>. "i'lie Union is nonpolitical except so far os may be necessary to protect its interests. Members may vote as they please, provided they support candidates pledged to work for the objects of the Union irrespective of party."

Mr A. C. G. Glass, organising secretary of the Union, and other delegates spoke with regard to the attitude of the Union on political matters. Sir Class said the land laws of the colony at present had not done any good at all to the north of Auckland. He, as organiser, had done his best to point out the disabilities under which the settlers of the North laboured, and to show where the farmers had been neglected by the Government,

Mr F. Colbeek said the political attitude of the Unioin was of the greatest importance. They could not get anything done for the farmers unless they banded themselves together and pledged themselves to vote for the men and the party that would do the greatest good to the country residents. In union lay the strength'of such an organisation as this.

Several other members also spoke, urging that the Union must take up a stand from the first as a political organisation. They must combine, and the Union Executive would have to formulate and direct a definite policy having for its object the improvement, of the status of the farmers in the country.

Mr Smith moved the following resolution:—"That, all the words after 'satisfactory basis' in the platform of the Union be struck out, and die following inserted: 'The Union shall keep a. vigilant watch on all measures brought before the House of Representatives, and protest against any measures deemed injurious to its interests. Should measures become law affectingits interests prejudicially, or in non°compliance with its just requests, then the Union is pledged to vote only for Union candidates at the next general elections, or bye-election; such candidates to be nominated by the centres in each electoral district."

Mr Frank Colbeek seconded the motion, which was carried, two members of tbe Union dissenting.

The rules were goue through seriatim, and various alteration!*, were imade. It was decided to alter the date of the annual meetings o.t the -provincial centres from November to March. The subserintion for the ensuing year was fixed at 2s 6d.