ORGANISING THE MAN ON THE LAND.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 142, 17 June 1914, Page 11

ORGANISING THE MAN ON THE LAND.

WHAT THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION HAS DONE . COMMERCIALLY AND POLITICALLY. IMPORTANT FACTOR IN COUNTRY'S PROGRESS. THE MEN WHO BROUGHT IT INTO BEING.

The man on the land has much _to thank tho Now Zealand Farmers' Union for. From a- lowly beginning the organisation has grown to a membership of between 20,000 and 30.000, and is represented in every district throughout the length and breadth of the country. When tlip official history of the union comes to be written— as it undoubtedly will, when the timers opportune — it, will provide much of interest even to 1 that portion of tho public thafc has no claim to the honour of belonging to the "backbone of the country. In the long ago there were no members of the community who had so much in common but who were less organised than the tillers .of the soil. Mother Eai'tli claimed all their time, and although^ individually some of them may have interested themselves in the political and commercial progress of their country, collectively they had no avenue or organisation through, which they could take combined action. WHAT THE UNION STANDS FOR. And what really brought the Farmers' Union into existence? A glance at its objects, platform, and rules supplies the answer. Ifor instance, the flrat-named are set forth as follow: — "The objects of the union are to foster the interests of the farmers, fruitgrowers, and settlers_ of New Zealand : to encourage co-operation among its members ; to promote the open-ing-up and settlement of Crown and Native lands, and the formation and improvement of mpans < of communication ; to obtaiii cheap freights, and to place the sale of produce and tho purchase oi material required by agriculturists on a satisfactory basis 5 to keep a vigilant watch on all measures brought before the House of Parliament and on tho wbrking of the present laws \ to protest against any measure deemed injurious to farmers' interests ; to secure proper reiu'cseiitation of fanners' interests in Parliament, To secure this, members of the union are advised to vote only for thoso candidates who agree to the platform of the union, and to place the interests of the ttnion abovo those of party." A COMPREHENSIVE PLATFORM. The platform of_ the union is as farreaching as its objects. It is :: — ■ 1. Thafc grants lor roads and bridges should not depend on the will of a Minister, but when voted by the House should be applied to tho particular work for which they are passed, and on no account be diverted or allowed to lapse, and should be spent by the local bodies wherever possible, 2. That when rural Crown lands are thrown open for settlement the provision's of the Land Act should be carried out. so that Selectors may have a choice of tenure, as provided for, viz.. purchase for cash, lease with option of purchase, lease in perpetuity, . 3. That all holders of land in lease in perpetuity, or perpetual lease, or small grazing runs, have the right to purchase the. freehold at any time after the impiovement conditions have been complied with, either by immediate cash payment or payment extending over an indefinite time, induction of rent to be madfe in proportion td such payments. No transfer to be 'registered unless such transfer .has attached a declaration by tiie purchaser in terms of tho Lund Act &ad Lund" for Settlement AcU

4. That Natiyo lands which benefit from the expcudituro of special and general rates shall bo placed upon the same footing us European lands m> situated. 5. Ihat taxation, through the Customs should, be 'for the purpose of raising revenue, and not for protective purposes. 6. That no interference with existing contracts, such as is proposed by the Pair Rent Bill, should be enacted. 7. That only ratepayers be empowered to vote on local government matters in counties. Road Board, and rural districts. 8. That Crown tenants on the lease in perpetuity tenure have the right to acquire the freehold of their holding on payment, by the lessee, of the original value, and tho payment of the difference between the 4 per cent, now charged on. tho lease in. perpetuity and the 5 per cent, charged to tenants with right to | purchase. THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR aiEMBERSHIP. The rules provide that members of the union, shall be (a) owners or holders of rural lands, or (b) persons engaged in agricultural, pastoral, fruitgrowing, or dairying pursuits, or (c) retired farm* ! ed not engaged in any pursuits inimical to the farming community ; ov (d) farm labourers who have been employed on a farm for over three months immediately prior to admission, and who are not members of, and contribute' to, any society whoso aims and objects arc inimical to the farming community ; (c) any personE. nbfc included in the loregoing sections may become honorary members, but shall have no voto and shall nob be entitled to hold office. A WARY EYE ON FARMERS 1 INTERESTS. Apart altogether from the enormous commercial value of the organisation one has only to read its platform quoted above to realise what a great political pofrcr in the* land such a body of men banded together with the saino ideals may become— and indeed, ns far as tho Now Zealand Farmers' Union is concerned, has become. It kreps 'i waiy eye on all the administrative Jaws of tho country, especially those affecting the farmer and his interests, and when any proposal detrimental to either h brought forward, whether politically 01 otherwise, it rises lip in its strength and demands that "this thing shall not be." Many powerful commeicial concerns have sprung into existence, if not direct Iv, then indirectly, through the agency of the Farmers' Union. As one ol ilicm» may be mentioned the huge Taianaki co-operative < concern, with a capital of something like a quaiter of a million. It has purchased one of the largo auctioneering businesses in Hawera. and if m> much is possible in its infancy, 'vhi't marvellous potentialities will it havo iv. the years so by ! It is scaicely po-sible to grasp the extent of the benefits that must accrue to the farmeis in the way of better facilities and impro\ed pi iceby ( the establishment of such a mcdiiim of commerce. And, as trade follows Urn flag, so_ must national prosperity follow the business success of the agiicultuiist. | ANOTHER POWERFUL CONCERN. Then, again, it was llio Faimois' Union that made possible the establishment in Auckland, of a Faimcis 1 ' Union

tion of tariff on agricultural implements, with the result that the president of the union was appointed on the Agricultural Machinery Importation and Sales Board established by Pailiament to deal with the question. Although the duties of that board have not been onerous it has been a protection against prohibitive tariffs on agricultural implements. THE MAN BEHIND THE MOVEMENT Seeing that the union plays such a dominant part in the destinies of the country and the farmer, the question naturally arises as to whose was the master-brain which brought the organisation first into existence. It is to Mr. A. G. C. Glass, of' Hokianga, in the Far North, that this honour belongs. Mr. Glass recognised that the farmers were not organised as they should be if they hoped to present a solid front in the way of commercial and political progress. But the problem which confronted him was .one which required an undaunted spirit to tackle. Scattered right from North Cape to the- Bluff were

with the farmers in nearly every district and infecting them with sonic of his own whole hcartcdness and enthusiasm. ~" THE FARMER NEGLECTED. In those days, although the outlook was fairly satisfactory from a producer's point of view, there were many menacing indications, especially fiom an industrial standpoint. Industrial unionism was well under way and many of the industries were harassed by the pettifogging conditions of legal awards. In this legislative effort to cater for the industrial workers there was a tendency to overlook the rights of tho farmers, and practically no effort was made to fit the children for a life on the land. It was largely due to these facts that Mr. Glass met' w ith such success in his efforts. His task was an arduous one, but he made encouraging progress 'with the enrolment of members. Aa time went by and the movement caught on there were demands for Mr. Glass's services in various parts of the country, and the New

(.he newly-fledged organisation, was elected the fiist picsident. He did much to foster the welfaie of the union and hia death a few years afterwards was a great blow to tho organisation. "When he .vacated the presidential chair in 1903, Mr. J. G. Wilson was elected to the repponsible position, \v2:ich he has held continuously ever since. When Mr. Glass retired as organising secretary, Mr. W. Hunter, of Palmerston North, was appointed colonial secretary, his term of office being from 1903-05. During a portion of that period Mr. A. ,J. M'Curdy acted as organiser, but when the headquarters were removed to Wellington ho was appointed Dominion secretary, in which capacity he remained fiom 1905 to 1906, when Mr. E. C. Jack, the present secretary, took up tho position. SOME WELL-KNOWN MEN. Although no details are obtainable of the earliest conferences, there is still in existence a pamphlet dealing with the third Colonial Conference, held in Wellington in 1904. At- those proceedings

M. AT. Kirkbride, M.H.R's; E. Newman Clark. A. M'Lean (Hawkes Bay), M. Tansey (Dannevirke). — Clark (Ohaeawui), and T. Quirk (Konini). In his presidential address that year Mr. Wilson paid a graceful tribute to the work done on behalf of Mr. M'Curdy on behalf of the union. Mr. M'Gurdy, ho said, had travelled all over the country save Westland and Tologa Bay, having made a visiting tour from the North Cape to Southland, speaking wherever he was wanted. Ho had devoted himself to tho work in a whole-hearted way and was able to start new branches all over tho country. OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY THE FARMERS. Among its many activities the i union in its early days interested itself in providing means whereby its members could ascertain what Was happening in^ connection with the organisation to which they belonged. With this object in view it appointed The Dairyman its first official organ, and then, as it advanced on it's

an impossibility to recount the whole of them. One instance is woithy of special notice. Not many years ago Nelson's solo outlet for its fat stock was by sea, and buyers Ironi Christchurch and Wellington paid low prices for such stock. The union came to the rescue and as the result large mobs of sheep and cattle were driven overland right to the Addington markets outside Christchurch, full prices thus being obtained. Other benefits derived (according to a computation made by an enthusiastic Bupporter of the union) are as follow : — The systematic organisation, of farttt.ers (a) for mutual protection j (b) for tho advancement of agricultural, pastoral, and other branches of farming ; (c) for the better education of rural children ; (d) for the proper recognition of the importance of the farming industry. The establishment of co-operative freezing works, butter factories, sheepdipping yards, etc. The passing of •the Mutual Fire Insurance Act, and the .establishment of Farmers' Mutual Insurance Companies.

Tho passing of the Bush and Swamp Lands Act; the Fertilisers Act. The installation of mauurial experiments by the Government. The recognition by farmers of the benefits of experimental stations, and the organisation of excursions thereto. Tho extension of experimental work to co-operative experiments, .conducted by farmtis under the supervision of Government experts. The improvement of dairy herds i (a) by its advocacy of herd-testing (since extended by the establishment of herdtesting associations worked in conjunction with the dairy division of tho Department of Agriculture); (b) by cooperating in the appointment of veteri1 hary surgeons: in -various districts for the control of diseases among stock. Fair compensation secured for condemned stock. The battening and regular cleaning of stock trucks. The free carriage of agricultural lime on railways. The combined purchase of sacks, woolpacks, manures, binder-twine, and other lequirements at reduced rates. A reduction in the cost of manures to members of the union.. The abolition of the Sheep Tax, resulting in a saving 01 £20,000 a year to farmers. The recognition of the nnioii^ by Act of Parliament, the president having been appointed to the board to consider disputes le the importation of agricultural machinery. The amendment of th& Crown. Suits Act, which now makes the Crown liable for all acts of damage caused by its trading concerns in the same way that private traders 'are liable. Obtained redress for the, Farmers' Distributing Company, who suffered under the old Crown Suits Act. The securing of the hearty cooperation of the Agricultural Department, for the conduct of experiments in lOOts, cereals, grasses, and herd testing. The' ' recognition by the Education' Boards of the- need for agricultural instruction, and by the introduction of nature study, by means of school gardens; technical classes, to teach woolclassing, shearing, etc., by practical demonstration. The extension of climatolpgical knowledge and practical recording of rainfall, etc., by school children. Arranging lectures on special subjects of interest to farmers. The- concession of the principle of freehold tenure as applied to Crown .amis. The withdrawal of the famous "M'Nab" Land Bill. The opening up of native lands for settlement under the optional tenure. Appointment of representatives of local bodies upon Assessment Courts. Secured the return of a large number of members of Parliament pledged to support the platform of the union. Secured the exemption 'from duty of dairy, m^at-prcserving. and refrigerating machinery. Imported largo numbers, of labourers from Britain to supply the demand for farm workers. Established the ttnion as an important element in moulding public opinion. The publication of a newspaper, "The Farmers' Union Advocate" (owned and controlled by the farmers), which supplies free veterinary advice, 1 reports of experiments ; voices the opinion of the union, and generally keeps farmers acquainted_ with _ the political, social, and commercial doings throughout the Dominion. THE NEGATIVE BENEFITS. Negative benefits (says the same authority) may be tabulated as follows:— Nullified the efforts of tho Bingle-taX-era to make the land bear all taxation. Frustrated land nationalisation, notably in regard to national endowments from 9,000,000 acres to 2,500,000 acres. Prevented the enforcement of the obnoxious dairy relaxations, issued by the Department of Agriculture, which were oppressive and unworkable. Exposed and frustrated tho attempt of the Government Insuiancc Department to coerce borrowers under tho Advances to Settlers Act to insure in the State office, to tho detriment of tho farmers' Mutual Insurance Association. Restrained the Valuation Department from including ilax and timber in its valuations for taxation, and generally modified the tendency to Wstuiately

increase tho unimproved values of rural land, 1 !. Secured a reduction of 25 per cent, on tho mortgage tax. (Mortgages i Were previously included in tho valuation for land tax.) Blocked tho passage of the Fair Rent Bill, which aimed at confiscating t.he farmers' improvements, by way of increasing rents. < Prevented the, sale of useless manures by demanding and securing legislation by which all manures must be jjuatan* teed by analysis printed on the in* voices. Protected tho fanners from fines and prosecution for unintentional overweighting of grain sacks, -by securing the allowance of a reasonable margin of weight- abovo' tho legal limit. Resisted on behalf of the grain growers tho abolition of .duty on Hour. (The union, though opposed to protective tariffs, refused to support such a Bill, as tho grain growers had no com* pensating remission of duties.) . ; THE ROADLESS NORTH; AN EARLY 1 APPEAL TO THE UNION! "THE MOST NEGLECTED DIS- ; TMCIV 1 ' , ' ' Much is still heard of the "Roadless North," but of late a good deal has been done by the Government to improve the transit facilities of the settlers of tlia more sparsely populated districts^ In the earlier years of its existence, tho union was sometimes called t upon to use its influence in the direction of. ob* tainingtho help of tho Administrator! in converting somo of the "mud'lanea'Mnto roadways that would bo of uso to the farmers. One of these early letters written by a Kaitala settler has almost* a pathetic ring about it. The missive read as follows : —''This having been tho first branch of the Fanners*' Union formed, it may be interesting to note tnat wo are still about the most neglect* od district in New j Zealand. Our main road to tho port is a disgrace to our County Council (especially as a M.H.R. is chairman) to the Road Department and to the Government. How much oi this' neglect is duo to v our forming a Farmers' Union can only bo surmis&L Such would be on a par with a, greal deal of our statesmanship (savo tho mark !). The disgraceful Btate o^ ou» roads speaks volumes, and the opiniou is gaining ground that our troubles ara due to our starting a Farmers' Union* This is wrong on tho face of it, as ii was neglect caused us to join as 01m man, hoping to get some change for thu better. On tho present d{iy_ bullocks ara Uhablc, to work on our main road, and they have had to knock off. Carting by horso teams has been knocked oil' long ago. Even packing cannot bo done, a» the horses would stick and stumble with their loads. Biders havo to get off and lead their horses. A local storekccpe« is unable to get his goods from thti steamer shed, six miles, and the shed is crowded with goods. If tho road keeps in its present state much longer, fences will probably bo broken through and goods forced through paddocks. There is iw knowing how that would end, or what crime would result. Somo milk supplier! are unable to get their milk to tho factories yet, and those who do so ai'e at a loss ; Thus ono of the principal industries in the country is penalised for a comparatively small sum which might easily bo spared from one of the luxuries or fads_ of otu* ( Government. The lack of foresight in giving dairy farmers passable roads might be almost called rob« bery of tho people. This is easily seen by the fact that every 100 tons of buttei exported means an importing power. 01 profit to tho people, which, with fre< trade, would make a wonderful difference to every man, woman, and child in New Zealand. • , , . . "Last week it took four thoroughlj staunch horses in a light wagon to tak< 6cwt. of butter five miles ; worse stilL it took two days. Several teams haa to assist afc ditt'erent times to get tin \vagon_ out of tho holes, nsd yet 0111 politicians scoff at tho Farmers Union for objecting to such a state of things." The records of the union do not tell what happened to the particular road which was the cause of such a great losi of time (and, doubtless, bad language)) but the organisation^ UM'ough-its official

* organ, took up the matter of improving f;-tho roads generally, and, doubtless, : much good resulted from its persistent - gfforts.