THE FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11245, 10 April 1902, Page 5

THE FARMERS' UNION.

SPEECH BY MB G. W. LEADLEY..

At the social held on Tuesday evening in connection with the Tenvpleton branch of the Fanners' Union, Mr G. W. Leadley, the President of the North Canterbury district of the Union, gave a brief address.. He did not think it necessary, he said, to dilate on the history of the organisation. At the present moment there was nob another organisation in the colony as compact, so strong numerically, and so influential, as the New Zealand Farmers' Union. The undoubted success achieved by the organisation was the strongest proof of tha necessity which had existed for its formation, and of the fact that it was doin£ good. If there was one individual in Jvew ZeaJand who was supreme in his importance and value to the community, it was the farmer. He occupied the largest proportion of the entire population, qikj person in even' eight in Xew beitvg connected with agricultural, pascorjii. dairying, or iruit growing: pursuits. . uIQ . ue produced more wealth than airy otuicr se*> tion of the community. After satisfying their own needs, the farmers of the colony had exported last year goods valued at more than £11,000.000, so that, in proportion to their number, they produced an immensely greater amount of wealth available for 'expoit than any other station of tho populHtion. It was only reasonable, therefore, that they should combine together tv> promote their own interests, and those of the community. If the farmers bettered their position, they improved that of all other classes). If they possessed money, they put it in circulation, and when they were prosperous, everyone else was. To show the unselfishness of the Union, Mr Leadley referred to the discussion which had taken place at the afternoon's conference as to tie desirableness of procuring sections of government land in the disti-ict for temporarily .unemployed workmen, whicli they could,, cultivate, without having to settle ou them. He said that tha Union was prepared, if the worknven wished this, to throw the whole weight of their influence into tho scale, to get them a few acres of good ground, which they could occupy advantageoWy when not "engaged in owier work. At' the Provincial ference, to be ■hold next month in Christchurch/ several very great questions would! be discussed. The mutter of a preferential tariS within the Empire wus one of vital moment to every man and woman. In this remote colony we were severely handicapped, and our products had to pay toll,'so to epeak, of the long sea journey Home, and then to compete with produce grown not so far off, an* more cheaply.' America sent vast quantities, of food- stuffs to British ports, and had the advantage over New Zealand in very much cheaper transit rates. A ton of "grain oonld be carried there! 10Q0 mitea by lake journey for ss. It was, intended to ask Mr Seddon to bring thia matter before 'the Conference of Premiers, to be held in London, and to see if some scheme could be devised* by whiph local produce ■should have gome slight advantage given', .-it over that from other parts of the world, outside of the Empire. ' . : " ' .';.;'. '."'

Mr Leodley urged upon the farmers present not to trouble about trivialities, but to give their undivided attention to tie important matters at issue. When these were safiNfaotorily settled, everything else would follow an proper order anui dim course. ...

Mr W. Hturding, secretaiy of the NorUn Canterburjr District, also spoke at some length, chiefly on the" insurance scheme. During tiie evening musical items were given by Miste Benjamin, Mrs W. Bailey's Bright Hours' Children, Mrs W. Badley'e Glee Class, Mr J. Prebble, Mr D. Sinclair, and Mi , D. Bums.