Likely to be president

Press, 18 February 1977, Page 6

Likely to be president

As Mr J. I. Kneebone, of Tirau, has now indicated that he will not be seeking a further term as president of Federated Farmers of New Zealand, it seems a reasonable assumption that the leadership of New Zealand's main farming organisation will return to Canterhi>*~«

before Mr Kneebone came to the presidency almost three years ago the position was in the hands of Mr W. N. (now Sir William) Dunlop. Now in all probability the next holder of this office will be Mr A. F. (Allan) Wright, of Annat in central Canterbury, who has been groomed for the office. Be is now in his third year as senior vice-presi-dent following a vear also as junior vice-president. Mr Wright has also held the posts of senior and junior vice-chairman of the Dominion meat and wool section and in his home area he was North Canterbury provincial president for three years and chairman of the provincial meat and wool section for four years. Since he has been senior vice-president of the federation he has been engaged mainly on approaches to Government for financial support for farming, transport industry matters and accident compensation. During the last two years he has travelled overseas on three occasions visiting the United States. Canada and the United Kingdom as the guest of their respective Governments to broaden his understanding of the world agricultural scene. If Mr Wright is elected to the top post, he is likely to bring an essentially sound commonsense approach to farming problems and the relationship of farming with other sectors of the economy. Mr Wright, who will be <8 years old shortly, farms in partnership with his

brother, Mr N, Q. Wright at Annat. The leadership will be decided at the federation’s annual conference in Wellington in July.