FARMERS' UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12587, 23 August 1901, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

[Per Press Association.] DUNEDIN, August 22. Mr Gla*s, organising secretary of ths Fawners' Union, met a number of fanmieirs and ethers to-day, and explained the objects and platform of the Union, but no attempt was made to form a 'branch in the city. TO. THE EDITOR. Sir, —I have always: given the ''Times" the greatest possible'credit for advocating the interests of the agricultural community, but I cannot uinidCTstand your objection to the formation of Farmers Unions. Surely they aire equally entitled to organise for the protection of their interests as the Labour Unions. For the past twelve months we have had unionism run mad, in fact, it has haunted us tin our dreams. Increased' wages and shorter hours—ye gods! A day's work averaging seven hours and twenty minutes has had the sarnie result as an increase of the tariff. Our domestic expenditure has gome up, and both the employer and the tradesman nave passed the extra burden on to the ''other fellow." The Unionists admit this, for the "burden of their " song/ 5, whew pleadang the Court for a rise of wages is "living is dearer." Quite true, but it is themselves thait are responsible for it. You seem to have a fear thai Farmers' Unions will develop into a second edition of the National Association'. I give them credit for greater discernment than to play into the hands of the Conservatives. The present Government have always had the agricultural interest at heart, they have done very much indeed by wis* legislation io pro-mot* tb» prosperity vl the colony, and, I believe the farmers are fully conscious of the fact. There are thousands of people in town and country who are no* unionists. Their weekly bills have inereasedjaad they have reason to curse the authors. I believe they will rebel at the v next general election, the Government being too much under the thumb, looked upon as a sponge to be ctgtieeasd at iho pleasure ef any organisation. I believe toe farmers are combining to counteract that, and that only.—l am, etc., RANGIORA.