THE FARMERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 11872, 20 April 1904, Page 8

THE FARMERS' UNION.

INTERVIEW WITH THE COLONIAL PRESIDENT.

Mr J. G. Wilyon. the Colonial President f>! the Farmers' Union, who left for A*»liLurtoo yesterday, in order to epeak at th? land mating there. was. on the train journey down, interviewed by a •' Press" reporter upon the work of th? Farmers" Union, what, it had accomplished in the past, and what its proposals were for the future. Referring to the aim* and objects of the Union, Mr Wilson said that the promoters j of the organisation felt that as the workers of the colony w«rre voicing their opinions nnd bringing their wants before the notice of the public, the time had arrived when the farmers should band themselves togtlher. and an opportunity to do that was accordingly given by m-eans of the Union. Tlw movement was taken up enthusiastically, and spread rapidly, and healthy branches had been formed all over the colcny, from the extreme north to the farthest south. The Union was essentially one of small farmers, for the leaders of the movement were as anxious to promote the close settlement of the laii'i as anyone could possibly be, for they recognised that every now settler meant an additional producer and an additional increase of the material wealth of the colony. Hβ and others thought with Mr MeL'urdy, the organising secretary of tiio Union, who stated in the North Island that tlie Union was not au organisation to look after the big land owner, but was an alliance of small holders banded together for common defence, "and for the puq>ose of acquainting the Ministry , of the day, whether Liberal or Conservative, with the. desires and n**ds of the farmers of the colony, in the same way as the workers had united themselves together. The freehold proposal, which was a burning question at the present time, was one of the platforms of tlw Union, for it was felt that the granting of the freehold to the Crown tenants was the only means of making a free and contented people, lliose who had had an opportunity of watching the administration of land legislation by Land Boards could see that the onerous restrictions and irritations that were constantly going on were causing the settlers to lose confidence, and to delay the improvement of their properties until they could tee what was going to happen. Tlie object of the Union was to place those people in such a position as regards the tenure of their holdings, that their confidence would be renewed, and they would be enabled to become ideal settlers, contented, happy, and 'progressive. In that respect the aim of the Union was to supjwrt, ;i tenure which should not take the last farthing from the tenant* but rather, by encouraging zealous production, take the la.st farthing from the land. Tho Union also were. Peking to encourage technical education among the farmers' sons and farm labourers, to enable them to become successful settlers. Tlie Union had also endeavoured to bring the farmers together socially, in order that they might diacuss and become acquainted with what was going on around them. Generally the Union was desirous of looking into* the grievances of any section of tho farming community in any part of the ct-lony, where the Union might be of help. Mr Wilson then proceeded to relate what the Farmers' Union had co far accomplished. Already, he said, the Union had been the means of bringing before tlie House a large number of matters affecting the farming interests, and the Government were now recognising that the Union was not a party organisation., but one which really voiced the views of the farmers. Consequently, the Government had taken up many of the things that tlie Union had brought forward, notably the Mutual Fire Insurance Bill, and the Adulteration of Manures Bill. Tlie Union, moreover, had j brought before the notice of the Minister of Railways a number of matters relating to railway freights, and were able to obtain his help in removing anomalies. Tho farming community were very mucli dissatisfied with the constitution of the Valuaj tion Court, which consisted practically of thiee Government nominees. The Union got a member of the House to bring up a proposal providing for the appointment of an assessor by each party. Tlie matter was discussed in Parliament, but the proposal was rejected by a narrow majority. Co-operation among farmers had been encouraged by the Union in every possible way, for the success of co-operation in the dairy industry through the colony had been noted. Iα conclusion, Mr Wilson outlined, as far as he was able, the plans of the Union for tho future. At the present moment, he said, the officers of the Union were fully occupied with the consideration of the best method of starting the mutual fire insurance scheme, which, in other parts of the world, notably in America and Canada, had proved such a success. It was felt that the. inauguration of the scheme would cause tlie breakdown of the present monopoly in fire insurance. In the immediate future, therefore, the energies. of the Union would be directed to establishing the. scheme on a sound and satisfactory basis. The Union were determined more than ever to keep their views before the public in the best way they could, and for that purpose an organising secretary was touring the colony, meeting the farmers and settlers, and addressing the different branches of the Union. . ' "The' Union is very well supported by the farming class," added Mr Wilson, "although the farmers, owing to the nature of their calling, find difficulty in attending the meetings of the various branches. There is no organisation among farmers antagonistic to us, and, in fact, we have the fullest sympathy. and support of the whole of the fanners in all parts of the colony. We try as much as possible to deal fairly with all questions that affect, us. We do not want to run antagonistic to other people who hold different views from what we do, but we claim the right of placing our views before the public, and we are willing that the public should judge."