UNITY INTERESTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 2 May 1947, Page 4

UNITY INTERESTS

GROWERSOF MAIZE JOINING FEDERATION UNANIMOUS DECISION A general meeting of maize-growers will be called shortly to wind-up the Gisborne Maize-Growers' Association in accordance with a decision made at the annual meeting of the association last night to apply to the Gisborne branch of the Federated Farmers of New Zealand to form a section within that organisation. The motion was carried, on the motion of Mr C. H. Cooper, seconded by Mr H. H. Dods. Mr Cooper drew attention to the membership of the association and was critical of the fact that 13 members were in arrears to a total of £9 10s. He contended that it disclosed lack of interest in the affairs of the association. "I can readily see the time has arrived to amalgamate with the Federated Farmers,” said Mr Dods. "The association has done valuable work, but it has reached a stage that if we carry on we are more or less orphans. If we join up we will have the backing of a Dominion-wide organisation with tremendous weight behind it” Mr C. Tietjen said the association had done good work in the past and its thanks were due to Mr G. W. Armstrong, who had inaugurated the organisation He felt it desirable that the maize-growers should have a sec tion of their own and agreed that the association should join forces with the federation "as long as we can run that section on our own.” "Doing a Good Job” Mr Armstrong said primary producers had "to risk getting behind an organisation such as the Federated Farmers.” The federation had gone through its embryo stages and there was no danger, as far as he could see, of the growers losing their identity b v joining in with Federated Farmers. "As far as any move in the future to get wrongs righted, the weight of the federation would carry a tremendous amount of weight,” said Mr Armstrong. “The association is still doing a good job, but it could do a better job by joining in with the federation.” “Today farmers have to be united,' said the president, Mr Stuart McGuinness, “We should look forward to the day when all farming organisations are united and can speak with one voice on any matter.” At present the agricultural section of the federation in Gisborne is weak,” he continued, “but this district has one of the most fertile areas of fiat in New Zealand and within the next 20 years we are going to see a great advance in agriculture.” “Unity among farmers is the greatest thing we can have and I am pleased to see vou are all taking that stand,” said Mr Tietjen, withdrawing any earlier criticism he had offered on the plan. The decision was reached unanimously. The election of officers of the association was continued with, sitting members being returned as follows: —President. Mr McGuinness; vice-president, Mr H. M. White; committee, Messrs C. Tietjen, N. G. Bolithe, J. B. Greig and A. Paulson; mditor, Mr G. W. Armstrong; executive, Messrs C. Tietjen, E. K. F. Cameron, G. W. Armstrong and C. H. Cooper. -