THE FARMERS' UNION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 160, 14 July 1910, Page 3

THE FARMERS' UNION.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. •AT>DRESSES * PRESIDENT AND .■lAlWf'^ -JuNiSTER. ■;... ~.-;.,,■.■■<-■■:

-irr r G Wilson, expressed regret at •t£ death of King Edward, who was Son of- the land, and .the curtailment .of the rights of the individual. The .successful organisation of farmers was a protest against this tendency. Ibe vie>s of the.farmer because of* his isolation, were m danger of being Sored,whilst the organised forces -.against him received undue considera--±wn. As agriculture is the basis pi ;all life, the profitable and, economical working of the land is erie + forf +^ Importance to every inhabitant of the Dominion- - , ~ , "The union has," he continued, "resolutely fought against the teaching of; the Socialist-that the means .of production should be controlled by the State—as we know it to be the most unprofitable and costly system; Ibut by working on the lines that the youth of the Dominion should, by proper educational methods, be encouraged towards country life, and -the farmers interested and instructed In more scientific systems, this has, we consider, assisted. in raising the standard of farming, and therefore of -the production of the land. Although received with contumely at first, as a -supposed political association, we have -fco/a large extent lived that down, .and can fairly claim to have altered -the trend of public opinion in regard to the land, and have succeeded in -getting acknowledgement from a large majority of the House, as an expression of the opinion of the people in -favor of the freehold. v ■

•"We have used, and must ever con-; -tihue' to .■'■ use, '.everyi'-emdeavou^-i.to' secure politicians who support 6Ur views. That we have succeeded »n. ;this, and still retained our non-party is evidenced by the fact that -we have cordial supporters on both tgides of the .House. And in certain .cases where the union has approved <6f ( the action of Ministers the latter 'have publicly acknowledged this, and used it to show that their policy was right, and thus tacitly admitted that the union had a right to speak for the farmers. In politics, our endeavour Has been to direct public attention into the proper channels, which in their turn must influence the Ministry of the day. Although it is no part «of the work of the union to enter into .business, several very successful busiaiess associations have had their origin in our union in various districts, and much to the benefit of the producers. We may fairly claim to have done something to improve the farmer's lot; given.him the means, by organisation, to defend himself against attack from every quarter, and to make his 'voice heard whenever it has been necessary in his own nterests. Nearly •every paper one takes up when dealing with this subject deplores the .apathy of the farmer; but I am con--vinced that we have made great progress. There yet, however, remains much to be done, and I would remind ;you that a great man has said: * Nothing is denied to well-directed labor, and nothing is accomplished without it.' lam more and more impressed every year by the generous ■and devoted work so freely given by many to our movement, and we cannot serve our fellows and our country in a better way." The remainder of the address consisted of a review of matters connected with the farming industry during the year, the passing of the Defence Act, afforestation (for which there wias room for enormous expansion), and education, thanks being expressed to the Education Boards for the way in which they had assisted in furthering agricultural instruction. "There seemed to be some hope that a Chair of Agriculture might be established in connection with Canterbury College, as the authorities of the university and Lincoln College were working together towards that end. There was no more suitable district to make a start in, and he hoped before another year that they would rave a -Professor of Agriculture installed. "The Veterinary College was still nonexistent. He had come to the conclusion that it would be better and much cheaper for their students to take advantage of the opportunity of attending the veterinary classes under Professor Gilruth in Melbourne than

wait for the New Zealand college to be started. Until they had a pronouncement of what the Minister for Agriculture intended to do in connection with experimental farms it would be premature to .say anything about them, A hearty vote of thanks was passed tothe president for his address. MATTERS OF INTEREST. - The Minister for Agriculture, in responding to his welcome, said that his desire and that of his colleagues was to promote the interests of the agriculturists to the best of their ability. They were only too glad to have suchassistance as, was given to them by the Farmers' Union. Referring to the question 'of grain statistics, he said the method employed last year was not successful. This w&s largely attributable, not to the system, but to the .various influences which arose and interfered with the success of the crops. The question was, however, a, difficult one to deal with. There w;as a possibility of'something being done this session in regard to the Agricultural Implements Act, while he had a. Seeds Bill on J>he stocks _ that dealt with seeds—not only their germination, but also their purity. He tendered his deepest thanks to those connected 'with the dairying industry for the assistance given in. regard to pasteurisation. The Department was collecting information respecting the registration of brands for submission to the next conference of the agricultural and pastoral societies. Dealing with the Stock Department, he said there was an 'idea prevalent and expressed _ that this department should be carried on at very much less cost. He thought there was no department in the State that could show better results if the money was wisely expended. Instead of curtailing the expenditure of the department, it would be his endeavour to increase the expenditure, so far as the means of the country would allow. They had not been able to get qualified veterinarians in this country, and three were now coming out from Home. They would require to engage many more veterinarians to carry out all that was sought by the union. Speaking on the subject of noxious weeds, he said there were those who advocated therepearof the Act. It was purely a matter for the farmers If they did not want the Act in force let them say scy-'airid the Government would take their representations into consideration. ,:.