PLEASE EXPLAIN

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 1 September 1927, Page 7

PLEASE EXPLAIN

ADMINISTRATION CRITICISED FARMERS’ UNION ORGANISATION SECESSION OF OTAKEHO BRANCH ‘ l l was sorry to read in the ‘ Ha-w-era Star,’ which I received yesterday, that the farmers in the Otakeho district had decided to secede from this union,’’ stated a letter, dated August 26, received at the monthly meeting o± the South Taranaki Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union to-day from the Dominion secretary (Mr J. Pow). “I think that when this-idea of secession from the union was mooted, you should have communicated with me and I would have attended the recent meeting at Otakeho,” continued Mr Pow. “Will you kindly let me know what your executive did to try to prevent this drastic step being taken. I notice in the reported remarks of the chairman that he stated the farmers in the district could not continue under the Dominion executive, aud I would like to say in reply that at no time since I took over my present _ position has there ever been a complaint from the South Taranaki Provincial Executive or the Otakeho branch regarding work done by the Dominion executive.”

BACK DOOR INQUIRY,

In presenting the letter to to-day’s meeting, the secretary (Mr E. K. Cameron) also called attention to an inquiry which had been forwarded 'by the Dominion secretary “behind the backs of the provincial executive” to a farmer of the district, Mr A. J. Haseltinc. This letter bore the same date as that forwarded to the executive and it had been forwarded to the provincial secretary by Mr Haseltine, who had advised the Dominion secretary of the action being taken. Referring to the report published in the “Star” of the Otakeho meeting when the secession from the union had been decided upon, Mr Cameron pointed out that exception had been taken to the order system of collecting subscriptions as inaugurated by the Dominion organiser (Mr L. H. McAlpine), it having been stated by the chairman of the meeting (Mr E. T. Burke) that at least one member whose subscription had been paid in this manner had not been recorded as a financial member. In consequence capitation was not received. The Otakeho branch had not been satisfied with the manner in which the affairs of the union were being conducted by the Dominion executive, but had made it plain that the faults found did not lie with the executive in Hawera.

FINANCE PROPOSAL REJECTED. “The aim of the provincial, executive has been to arouse as full interest as possible in the union,” continued Mr Cameron, “and every endeavour has been made to help the Otakeho branch.” He advocated further activity in the form of district gatherings, including assemblies for dinners, when discussion could take place on matters of interest to farmers generally. The provincial executive 'had recommended to headquarters that the interests of the union could be better served by providing further funds for organising in provincial districts instead of increasing the large accumulations at headquarters. To this end it was suggested that at least 50 per cent, of the surplus of each year’s workings at headquarters should be Tebated to provincial executives who, in turn, could distribute a portion to branches. This recommendation had also been made to the recent conference of secretaries at Wellington, but had been rejected in accordance with the suggestion of the president of the union, who presided, on the grounds that the Dominion executive had considered the proposal was not practicable.

DOAIINATED BY PRESIDENT. ‘ 1 The conference was not a conference of provincial secretaries, but was a meeting ruled by the Dominion president of the union. Such a meeting could be likened to a conference of watersiders meeting to discuss positions from their standpoint and being presided over by the chairman of one of the big shipping companies,” said Mr Cameron. “It was really a conference of employees with a boss in .the chair.” Mr W. E. Carter gave the opinion that a Farmers’ Club such as bad been formed a't Otakeho would not get anywhere, and it would be lacking in unity with other centres.

The president (Mr H. Hodge) said he had written to the secretary of the Otakeho branch intimating that be and the secretary would be pleased to attend the meeting if advised as to the date, but no reply had been received. “It seems that we werjb not wanted,” continued Mr Hodge. “I hope they will soon appreciate the error they have made in breaking away from the union and that we shall have them back again.”

WITHDRAWAL REGRETTED. The reasons for the withdrawal of the Otakeho branch as reported in the “Star” was discussed, and Messrs W. E. Carter and F. Aroa gave the opinion that the action taken was hardly justified. They regretted that Otakeho had decided to secede as the branch had always been regarded as one of the strongest in the district. Air E. L. Bigham: “I think some of the farmers in the Otakeho district have‘been aiming for some years to establish a Farmers’ Club. I know of one who has had that object for at least three years.” Mr A. T. iSulaberger: “They cannot hope do do,the work which would be possible if they still belonged to the union. It is essential, too, in matters of common interest, that they must have a mouthpiece.” Exception was taken by the meeting to a resolution of the Dominion executive at a meeting held in July that the Dominion secretary bo given power of control of provincial secretaries. The opinion was given by Mr F. Aroa that this was a case “of the tail trying to wag the dog. ’ ’ During further discussion concerning the alleged dictatorial attitude of headquarters of the union, Air A. B. Muggeridge said that, whether it was intentional or not, it seemed the policy would tend to cause dissension among branches.

The secretary was subsequently am thorised to reply to the Dominion secretary’s letter.