FOR UNITY

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 48, 25 August 1921, Page 10

FOR UNITY

PRODUCING INTERESTS

CONFER

NEED FOR COMMON POLICY

ON IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.

The importance of having some central body constituted with authority to speak on behalf of all the primary producing interests of the Dominion was the .subject of a discussion at a meeting of farmers held in the Dominion Farmers' Institute yesterday afternoon. The meeting Was called by Mr. G. L. Marshall, of Marton, and was attended by the following reptesentatives of. the organisations named :—-New Zealand Council of ' Agriculture, Messrs. G-. L. Marshall, W. Perry, J. D. Hall, 0. Hawken, M.P., W. D. Pike, and E. Hay; New Zealand Farmers' Union, Messrs.'W. J. Poison (president), R. D. Duxfield; New Zealand Sheepowners' Federation, Messrs. L. A. Eutherford, H. Gascoyne, J. Begg, and W. Sherratt; Board of Agriculture. Sir James G. Wilson, Messrs. W. R. May, E. Averill, W. Grant, and D. W. Westenra. The meeting was called as the outcome of the following resolution passed at the recent conference of the New Zealand Council of Agriculture: "That it be a recommendation to the executive to go fully into the matter of organising the various bodies representing the farming industry, and that such committee have power to add to its number, ; and, if necessary, to employ legal assistance." ' ' Mr. Marshall, who presided, saidl that it was for' the representatives of the farmers' bodies to see Nif some basis could not be found by which the farming interests could speak with unity on subjects of common concern. He did not think it possible to amalgamate the different bodies, but some measure of coordination was absolutely necessary in order to Bring the various interests to-} gether, so as to present a united front on certain matters which did not come within the purview of the individual organisations, and' which would not conflict with their interests. So far as one could see, there was no possibility of their dealing with the matter unless the respective bodies concerned were unanimous. If they could come to a common agreement on matters of vital and general importance, they could go to the Government 'as representing the whole of the producers of New Zealand. At present, the producers were not united. Mr. Marshall suggested the formation of something in the way of a Royal Agricultural Society,-at which all matters of concern to farmers generally could be' discussed. j CO-ORDINATION NEEDED. ; j Mr. Westenra stated that there was need of co-ordination of the farming interests, and he agreed with the necessity of forming some central body. He felt that the time was now opportune to create such a i body. At present the various farmers' organisations were not in agreement on various questions. "It is altogether out of the question to talk: of the Sheepowners' Federation joining the Farmers' Union," declared Mr.' Rutherford, "but let us deal with big matters that affect us conjointly. In matters affecting meat or wool the Sheepowners' Federation feel that they are in a position to deal with them betj ter than any other body, but such questions as freight, taxation, and labour affect us all." iFor this 'reason, Mr. Rutherford wished to see such a body set up as suggested by Mr. 'Marshall. Any difficulties on the question of representation should be easily overcorte: Mr. Hall would like to see formed a council which would represent the four principal producers' organisations, and, perhaps, they could get the smaller organisations, such as the horticulturists, beekeepers, and 1 potato-growers, to join subsequently. It should be the business of this council—the "brains" of the producers' organisations—to give consideration to sucli questions as taxation, economy, tariff, finance, and labour, and it should also help the various organisations to extend their influence and increase their membership. If the council were thoroughly representative it could compel the Government to take some heed of its wishes on such a matter as taxation, for instance. Taxation of the farmer was at present very oppressive, and was likely to be so until they got together and satisfied the Government that they -were waking up and intended to do something. . ■■ i. Mr. Begg considered that the necessity for forming such a council as that proposed was very pressing indeed. On the question of. compelling the Government •to practise . economy, the producers should speak with one voice.l Mr. Marshall pointed out that Mr. Massey had frequently said : "If the producers will only let me know in no uncertain voice what they want, I will endeavour to do it." Mr. Perry did not think there would be a great deal of difficulty .about getting a combined council representative of fanning opinion, but he considered that the formation of something in the nature of a' Royal Agricultural Society -would enable the necessary finance to be secured, for propaganda purposes. The various farming bodies could be affiliated with the Royal Agricultural Society, and he thought that a movement of that sort would be supported all over New Zea•aMr. Marshall agreed with Mr. Perry. I POLITICAL ACTION. Mr. Duxfield said that,in Auckland the farmers looked upon their union as their political, mouthpiece. In political matters they must get the whole weight of the- farming community behind them, otherwise they'would not be able to exercise much influence. He 'did not think it necessary to build up any organisation other than the Farmers' Union. 'He was strongly in favour of political action. Apparently other parts of New Zealand did not agree -with Auckland on that matter, but Auckland hoped to educate ■those other .parts of New Zealand in time and bring them round to its view. Mi. V/estenra: "That is the trouble with a number of the heads of Fanners' Unions. They are looking after politics, and nothing else." Mr. Duxfield: "We don't like a onesided view of politics." The farmers in Auckland felt that there was something lacking. They, wanted nome force exerted, and felt that they:must take strong political action. Remits to conferences would cease to be "evergreens" when legislative force was put behind them. Sir James Wilson supported a view expressed by Mr. Hall that it would ,not be wise to try to, obtain anything ,in tie way of a "BovaA" Society. The King's sanction would not bo given to a body, thai was goin^ to take politics into .consideration. .He did not ■ think that the meeting could do more at that stage beyond affirm inn the principle of establishing a central body. Mr. Hawken' urcjed tho need for the estaiblfeh.menfc of some central orffaiiisar tion. . At present numerous resolutions were passed a.t conferences, but fchfcre ■was too much overlapping, and tho results were unsatisfactory. ANOTHER ORGANISATION? Mr. Poison spoko of the power of tho Fanners' Union, and said ho wanted

to see it grow in-OiTMsinily strong, a-nd progress on sounder and more progressive lines. Ho agreed with the laudable object that Mr. Marshall had in view, and ho was most anxious to see a close organisation of the whole of the farming interests of New Zealand, but he was afraid that they were only poing to set xip another organisation. He did not ■want to see that happen at a;ll; he wanted to see the existing organisations made stronger and brought into closer co-operation, if possible. After further discussion, Mr. Hall moved :

"That the organisations represented at 'this meeting should unite to the extent pf setting up a national coomicil composed of representatives in appropriate numbers from each of the bodies mentioned, namely, the (Farmers' Union, Sheepownei's' Federation, New Zealand Council of Agricultare, and the Dairy Association, and that - such executive should dea.l with all matters of common interest generally, but should not interfere with matters which affect individual organisations exclusively. For the purpose of carrying out the above a committee be set up to draft a constitution and submit it to a future meeting of delegates for ratification a.nd adoption."

Tlie motion was carried, and the following committee was appointed : Messrs. Poison, Begg, J. D. Hall, PerTy, Howken,, Marshall, and Averill.