PRODUCERS' UNION.

Evening Post, Volume LXII, Issue 17, 19 July 1901, Page 2

PRODUCERS' UNION.

A meeting of country members was held yesterday at the instance of Mr. F, T. Moore, Secretary of the Producers' , Union, in the Parliamentary Buildings. ' Twenty-one members were preseut — viz., Messrs. C. Hall, J. Stevens, W. O. Oarn- > cross, J. T. Houston, E. Q. Allen, W. Symes. J. O'Meara, R. Meredith, Q. W- , Rußeell, R. H. Rhodes, F. M'Guire, W. H. Herries, C. Hardy, W. P. Mussey, J. Allen, R. Monk, F. W. Lang, J. Bollurd, V. Pirani, J. W. Thomson, and I". Y. Lethbridge. Mr., Meredith was voted to the chair. Mr. Moore briefly explained the objects of the Producers' Union, and suggested j that the best course to take would be to > bring about an amalgamation 6f the, Unioh .with the Farmersr Uuipn. Ho had first joined \hv latter, but disagreed with its platform, and had h , instrumental in forming a Union whioa would not be open tp the same objections. He knew that when the Producers' Union numbered its members by the Fanners' Union included, thousands, and if a basis of amalgamation could be arranged it would be in the best interests of both. Mr. Massey said he this sure all present had the interests of the farmers at heart, and would be s.orry to see anything done which would militate against a movement designed to improve their condition. He therefore moved — " That this meeting of members of the House of Representatives, while thanking Mr. Moore for his address, ni)d for the work he has done in the interests of fanners, recommends the Producers' Union to join with the Farmers' Union so that the two Unions may become one association, to, work Wether in the interests of country settlers and of the colony as a whole." Sir. Pirani seconded the motion, and explained that in the Manawatu district, where the Farmers' Union had caught on splendidly, the idea of using it as a lever to further party politics was scouted, and it' depended for its success upon the fact that such a disturbing element found no part in its composition. Mr. James Allen strongly approved the . motion. Mr. O'Meara said that party politics would be sure to be a cause of dissatisfaction and disagreement in a combination' of the sort, and the farmers -did not want it, but if the .two Ufiiojo? combined they would- be abW to 'Study 'the best interests of ,the country producers. Mr. He*r{es pWl^out.shat while the I farnfara mujst' us^ political methods to '< further their objects,' thai did not neces- • sarily mean' party ppiitics. • The combi* nation of the two Unions would be the best way of attaining the objects in view. , Mr. G. W. Rusaell, asa -representativea -representative of i. farming community, . desired to see ', a •JSarmers' Uniotoindependent of party ; politics. So far a3%ie platform put forward was concerned^- he. did pot agree entirely with all itsjprovisions, but he entirely believed iii, a j» .general resolution in favour of comoniatiqn and co-opera-tion among rfarmerf.v The resolution "was carried unanimously. • A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated a cordial meeting. —.mmLmmmmmmmmimmm *