N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1416, 26 November 1904, Page 5

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

OTAMA bKANCH. . meeting of this branch was hold - tlus Otama Hall last evening, Air Alex. AlcLachlan presiding. About twenty members (including several ladits; were present, and Jir A. il. I'aterson, organising secretary, was in attendance. Mr i'atersou proceeded to give a „ brief resume of the conference held at Christchurch, which was attended by Mr D. Gilchrist and himself. Unfortunately, they were detained from hearing the principal part of the /oik, but their visit was quite sufficient to allow them to gauge the calibre of the men in charge of affairs. Mr Gilchrist had been agreeably surprised, and it was clear that those men were thoroughly conversant with all i>ertaming to the business of the Union. It was characteristic ol the conference that -the whole of the business was transacted during two days, and during the whole of that time there was no mention, of politics. The question of mutual fire insurance came up lor discussion, but as Mr Kirkbride was likely to be in Christchurch shortly afterwards the matter was deferred. Mr -Kirkbride had given an outline of everything connected with the measure. In. several districts all preparations were ready for commencing business, and in connection with the scheme documents were read from the Colonial Secretary stating what had been done in regard' to re-in sura nee. Everyone at the conference had expressed himself pleased with the o!Tir of the English company. In a >hort time particulars and figures in regard to the scheme would be forward**! to Provincial Executives, and they wouM thus be enabled to act indepcndently in connection with the mutual lire insurance scheme.. With regard to the Union generally, ho hoped that tiny would all see that the institution was not a revolutionary one, and whatever it accomplished would hardly be seen or felt. But although tliero was nothing tangible to be seen a amount was accomplished. Kverv farmer in the colony was benefited l>y the work of the Union. They lived in world where there was no such tiiii.j;. as standing still, and things were always changing. If the farming community happened to stand still other forces which abounded would swamp - them, according to a law of nature, and would mean their downfall and ruin. The farmers must either progress and move or go down, and around them they had an active hody doing its almost to strengthen the farmers' position. This struggle was going on perpetually, and if they teased to strive for betterment tmy must go down. Because this spirit of "rivalry was abroad it did not fotlo-.v that there would be antagonism amongst them: This power would be at work amongst them continually and there -would always be a bigger and a stronger cry for greater equality and education. The speaker t'rew a distinction between the socialism rampant in the colony and in other parts of the world, and the socialism of the type that Lord referred to when he said, "We are all Socialists now.". He placed before them a picture of mankind in a state of savagery and then of slavery. Then* cattie the abolition of the latter, and . the power that impelled them to accomplish thi* in turn enabled them to get political rights. Then in time they got educational rights, and now the aim was to get social rights. The socialism rampant at the present time, however, was bound to fail, because the methods employed by Socialists were out of harmony with Nature's laws. They wished to introduce a state of affairs in which competition or rivalry of any would be suspended. This was contrary, to Nature's laws —it was necessary to ha\e rivalry. Rivalry was going on ceaselessly and gently in every dc|>artiuent «f life, and Without it progress would be impaired. If socialistic Governments suspended rivalry, stagnation was bound -to follow, and ifier stagnation, degeneration and rviin. What true, socialism should aim ;.t was tft? allow everybody the right, privilege- and opportunity of bringing into use whatever talents he or she might possess and share in the rh ally referred to. If every individual had the' right of using his talents lo the best advantage he would be l.e'.ter himself and the most of mankind would be benefited accordingly. Landlordism in the older parts of the world had a great deal to do with I;ringing in what was generally know.i as socialism, but there was a .'-'eat difference between the landlordism ot the older parts of the world and the to own a small farm in a colony j rlike New Zealand, and Social ist - ~while they might be right in denouncing old world landlordism, would by no means be right in denouncing ' the freehold of a small farm. Subsequently, Mr Patcrson addi-ess.il the meeting pn several veterinary subjects and answered a number of questions relating to diseases in stock. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address. The meeting closed with the rus•tomary vote of thanks to the chairman.