THE FARMERS' UNION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 19 January 1912, Page 6

THE FARMERS' UNION.

ORGANISERS WANTED

There was a good deal of discussion

at tne TaranakL .Executive's meeting of the New Zealand .farmers' Union on Thursday with reference to the work oi the Union. Mr Virgin, who introduced the subject, in mentioning his contemplated resignation, said he was convinced tnat the Union, as at present constituted, was on the wrong lines. The Union

was not increasing in its members and

did not appear to be doing any real , good just now. He was inclined to the opinion that tne dairy farmers would have to combine to protect their interests and the sheep farmers would have to do likewise. At present their interests were " not quite identical. As for politics the Union was not doing any good at all, and it seemed to him

that as at present constituted it was

worse than useless. That was one of the reasons causing him to consider the question of resigning. Mr Thomson (treasurer) said that unless they looked after their • farming interests they would find the federation of trade and labor coming on top of them.

Mr Lambie: They are getting there now. .

Mr Dunn considered that the' way in which the trades and labor were working, it would soon be necessary for the farmers to combine to protect thenown interests. It would then be found that their membership would increase. Mr Davidson thought the Executive ought to consider the advisableness of passing a resolution asking the Dominion Executive to appoint an organiser or organisers for the North Island, each branch to contribute its share of the officers' salary. He was convinced that good would be the outcome of such an appointment.

The president (Mf Jones) said this subject was discussed at the last conference when members were unanimous that an organiser was necessary. He had expected to have heard by this of some scheme for the' appointnent of an organiser having been evolved. There was an organiser for the South Island and he understood that a great deal of good had been accomplished. Mr Lambie: We can do very little Wlooouu cash. That was where the iroubie .had always been. Mr Davidson remarked that the recent elections showed that the Union was progressing. ■ T .TIIS President said he felt with Mr Virgin to some extent that the dairy tanners and the sheep farmers' inteiests and objects were not identical in the mam, but he thought 'hat if it came to the point they would n?e nr fall as one man. (Hear, hear.) The main object ot the Farmers' Union was" to watch everything that was likely in any way to affect the producer, whether butter cheese, wool, or mutton. It was the duty of all the farmers to stick together—he knew at times that the work was sometimes disheartening— and, he was of opinion that if they did not do so for love they would do it for selfprotection.. There seemed to be a fear that, federated labor was going to rule iSTew Zealand, and in order to protect their own- interests it would be necessary that every farmer should be at his post. Even if the work was disheartenang the farmers should not shirk it. Although he was prepared to admit that the present state of affairs was bad, he was hopeful for the future.

Mr Virgin pointed out that he did not wish it to be understood that he though farmers' unionism was iiot wanted. He believed that the Union had done a great deal good, but it seemed that all their interests were not identical. As far as the Tarata branch was concerned he believed they had dons good among themselves as well as ia the- broader sense, but at present ■there was much trouble in getting farmers to join. There was evidently something wrong, and there must be a reason for it. . ■ ■ 'Mr Swindlehurst: They are too well off. (Laughter).

Mr Virgin: If this union were to dissolve as at present constituted, and if there was anything to threaten the dairy industry-the dairymen would combine very quickly, and the sheep fanners would do the same. They would then probably do very much better for themselves than they were doing at present.

Mr Thomson: Stick together every time.

Mr Virgin: We try to stick together, but we cannot get the membership: that is the trouble.

The President: I believe a live organiser would do it.

Mr Hunter said he did not think even organisers would have the desired offset. There must be some compelling interest to make the-union go. The President replied that in the South Island as the result of an organiser some of the districts had more than doubled their membership, while in other cases there was now four times t'ao membership.

Mr Lambie mentioned that there was an organiser-in-the Wellington district who did very good work.

Mr Voullaire was doubtful if one man •could do all the work. required. The President thought if one good ma a devoted the whole of his time to it he would do all right. He would second Mr Da,vidson's motion.

Mr Voull.aire said the whole trouble was in getting the young .farmers to join the Union.

Mr Lambie heartily supqrted the proposal, and said each provincial district should have its own organiser. He beli&'/ed that the rumored organisation of labor would compel those who had held back hitherto to join the Farmers' Union, in purely self-defence. It was not because the farmers were unwilling to join, but because they were apathetic. 'If the Farmers' Union would remain together there would be nothing to fear from, any other, combination in New Zea-lori-d. The union only wanted what was fail" and just, and what would be good for the country. If the farmers were not hampered they would be able to do Aood for every man and woman in New Zealand, for it was the producers that kept the country alive.

Mr Voullaire: Nothing else

Mr Thomson spoke in favor of the motion, but mentioned that- they would have to be careful of the finances. He paid a tribute to the Provincial Secretary for the good work lie had done in resuscitating many defunct branches.

Mr Cleave)-, in supporting the- proposition, said something of the kind was necessary. He complained of the "lack of enthusiasm taken in the affairs ■of the union outside of the Executive, which really devoted mnch time to the, \v;.-rk. It was all practically of no use, and was really disheartening. There was am doubt that the union had done well, an-d would even continue to do work y/hich must be of bern-fit to the farmer. 3-fV advised a'! membf-r- to stick to the o!-:l flap:, eve-n ijiov.gl; r-bad been knocked about. Some cay tne farmers would realise that they would have to comT.mio to protect themselves. "We will <?o o great and trraiu; work if we keep -the flag flying.-' ?aid Mr Cleaver.

Mr Dunn was- strongly of the opinion ir:'xb if an nvsanisei' were :ir»vM"t<?f| their memberslsip would be doubled in a very short time, and be thought that

by that means the officer would more than pay his. way. ' ' - • . ' . i Mr Davidson said that if they could get the Executive to work up the scheme they would have done one of the best things to strengthen the Union. (Hear, hear.)

The motion was carried unanimously /