The Ensign. FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1913. THE FARMERS' UNION.

Mataura Ensign, 18 July 1913, Page 4

The Ensign. FRIDAY, JULY 18, 1913. THE FARMERS' UNION.

The president of the New Zealand Farmers' Union (Mr J. G. Wilson) has the undivided confidence of the far-: mers of the Dominion. This is proved by t!he fact "that he has been again and ■again re-elected president. There are Other able' men. on the executive of the union. . but they have unanimously agreed year after year that Mr Wilr j son is the best man'to guide the des>tanes of the union. Farmers ias a clan, do not-mako good unionists. Each one of them follows Ms own 'ideas and* looks askance at -any proposals for. combined action; Perhaps this is liarge1t becaoise thle farmer is in direct contact with Nature. He finds that he has to constantly fight for himself in moulding natural forces to his will, and be prefers to conduct the battle singfe handled. But the time is rapidly preaching when farmers will be forced 1

tooombine. Mercantile employers find it wise to join handia in dealing n<J<b only with claims of tihe various labor unions bat alscr .to adjust prices to tibse increases in. the cost of production. The union has not so far been supported by any considerable number of fanners in Southland. It commenced* its operar tions some 12 years ago, but its memc bership has decreased steadily- Surely ,it wouM be wise to join iorcea far mutual protection. Mr Wilson dealt very exhaustively with; various subjects of interest to tihe union. He spoke with pride., of the increase in the output of our dairy industry. There will undoubtedly be a still further increase next year. Land aH over the Dominion is being (subdivided 1 and wherever it is possible .to turn these smaller areas into dteuiry farms this will 'be done. He advised! that further experiments should be conducted! in order to increase the product per cow. He instanced a case where £l7 per cow was obtained. If this were to became general the output from, our dairy farms would! be very largely increased at practically no greater cost to the farmer. Mr WiSon dealt also with the milking machine but he contributed nothing new to the discussion of this subject. He also dealt with the good prices ruling for wool and frozen l meat. No dbiibt 1 if the slaughterman's strike had not taken) place a larger amount of meat would, have been exported. Naturally Mr Wilsbtn commended the action of the farmers in supporting the companies. He took occasion to refer to the Government's .action in assisting the fruit industry. If the export of fruit can. be increased it will open a new andi advantageous l industry upon small holdings of land. Mr Wilson spoke app-oving*ly of the* Government's land policy, which is the same as that advocated by the union for many years.' He pointed out the necessity for loading all areas opened; for settlement as quickly as possible. We would go further and say that the main roads in eaich block should be formed: before the land is opened for application. This wbuldl prevent gambling for rises in values after the land has been_roaded.. We trust that there is no friction, as Mr Wilson supposes, between the Immigration and Labor Departments. There can be no.doubt that New; Zealand! can absorb 'a large number of people who are willing to go into the country. But wihile this is 'the case, it must be borne ini mind) that there will have to be'good conditions under which agricultoral workmen are housed, fed, and' generally looked after, or they will not remain in the farmers' employ. The attractions in the towns become too great for the average workman, who has perhaps to live in unsuitable quarters on a. farm. Farmers must face the position and provide suitable cottages in , which their employees can reside. The attractions of the towns can only be overcome by counter-attractions. Mr Wilson's speech was a sensible and practical one. No doubt when he is appointed chairman of the Agricultural Board it will be necessary for the union to elect another president. Mr Wil-» son will always 'be regarded with favor by farrpers throughout New Zealand. The Government could hardly have secured a more suitable rmn for chairman of the. Agricultural Board,