FARMERS’ AFFAIRS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 204, 26 May 1944, Page 4

FARMERS’ AFFAIRS

Comment By Sheepowners Federation (By Telegraph—Press Association.) . DUNEDIN, May 2a. Commenting on the Press Association message from Wanganui concerning the resolution adopted by the Wanganui provincial executive of the Farmers I nwu in connexion with the proposed aiimiganiation of the union and the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federation, Mr. Jam e -' Begg, president of (he Sheepowners federation and the Farmers’ Federation, said the Wanganui executive seemed to oe three years late iu their criticism. “The Farmers’ Union at )) nngainii, Mr Begg said, “seems to be three years behind the times, as the Farmers' Federation lias been in existence for the past three years and both the Farmers l.iuon and the Sheepowners’ Federation have been members of it since its inception. Close co-operation is desired by both bodies and could lie achieved if they loyally support the federation. “What the Farmers' Union roal.y wants is one big union, including mi those engaged in rural industries, and I do not think this feasible. The wheatgrowers. fruit industry and others wvdi to handle their own affairs and would not, in my opinion, hand them over te the Farmers’ Union. The Sheepowners Federation is a statutory body and cannot- lie dissolved by a mere resolution Violent; talk of force is foolish, and disruptive. The Sheepowners’ Federation is not. at present inclined to relint|uisli iiw affairs to the care of the Farmers’ Union. “Quite recently.” Mr. Begg added, ‘the Farmers’ Union in Wellington brought forward proposals for dealing with wool in the post-war period and for dealing with the funds in the meat pool which were not acceptable to the Sheepowners Federation. The Farmers’ Union has done much good work'. I am one of its original members and am still a member of the Otago executive. It is regrettable that an obsession about one big union should introduce an element of discord.”