FARMERS’ UNION

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 3 June 1932, Page 9

FARMERS’ UNION

SOUTH TARANAKI BRANCHES.

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE MEETS

The monthly meeting of the South Taranaki Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held at the Egmont A. and P. Buildings iri Hawera yesterday. The president (Mr. E. J. Betts) occupied the chqjr and also present were Messrs. J. Cocker, H. Hodge, W. T, Seed, G. Nicholson, 4V. P. Jennings, T. Hoskin, W*. B. Carter, A. Schmidt, A. Thrush, S. H. Le Fleming, E. P. Putt, D. Wards, E. J. Booth, A. J. Davies, W. E. Tayler, T. Blair, A. T. Sulzberger, H. Thrush, H. J. Finlay, E. J. Allen, M. W. Barker, M. F. Voullaire, L. F. Bell, O. Robertson, A. C. Langlarids and the secretary (Mr E K. CamerohL A circular was received from the Provisional National Council appointed by open industrial conference expressing the view that an exchange of ideas between the representatives of the Farmers’ Union and the council was desirable and necessary in the interests of the Dominion. There were many things in common between the farmers and the wage workers and while some differences of opinion would arise the council considered that many of the differences now existing were due to misunderstandings which could be cleared up if a conference was held. Mr. Conker was of the opinion that the matter should he referred to the Dominion Executive. He regarded Mr Jas. Roberts (secretary of the National Council) as a very able man and a most fluent speaker. His manner of expression was such that it was possible to draw two conclusions. He , recalled the time when Mr: Roberts addressed the Dominion conference and the president (Mr. W. J. Poison) “warned” the delegates. Mr. Wards said that he noticed in the Press a l-ecent statement by the Domniion president that there was .“a distinct line between labour and the Farmers’ Union.” If he had said Labour Partv Mr. Wards would have agreed. As it was farmers had much in common with labour. In the first 'place a large majority of the pioneers' had come to New Zealand for. the freedom it promised from the hahsher conditions obtaining at the time at Home. Labour movements, as exemplified by many of the actions of trade unions, had done much towards the permanence of this liberty. He said that the proposal was an excellent one and that the Farmers’ Union and the National Council should confer and thus obtain a better understanding of the aims and object? of labour. Mr. Cocker said he did not wish to be misunderstood. He was in favour of the conference, but felt that the delegates should he sent from the Dominion Executive and not the individual branches. He realised that the Labour Party was not always trulv representative of labour interests and instanced that Mr. R.. Semple was not the “rabid Labour member in his own home as he was in the House.” He had been told as much by a friend who knew Mr. Semple and the friend had said that he spoke as he did in Parliament because he had been “put there as a Labour man and bad to speak as the Labour Party directed.” The chairman supported the proposal and on the motion of Mr. Cocker, seconded by Mr. Wards, it was resolved that the Dominion executive he urged to arrange a conference between industrialists aiyl Farmrs’ Union representatives.

MASSEY COLLEGE. 'Hie proposed visit .by a party of farmers to Massev Agricultural College from South Taranaki was the subject of much correspondence between Professor Perm (principal) and Mr Cameron. Professor Peren pointed ont that/ tne month of June was a busy month at the college and in view of the National Dairy Show and dairy conference at Palmerston North it was undesirable that the visit he postponed until early in July. „ _ It was resolved that Mr. Cameron be authorised to arrange for the visit to take place during the first week m July. „ ... It is expected that 100 farmers' will comprise the party.