THE PRODUCERS' UNION AND THE FARMERS' UNION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7066, 27 July 1901, Page 2

THE PRODUCERS' UNION AND THE FARMERS' UNION.

-Last, evening Messrs Dunning, Mc;Dohaid, Moore, Baucke, Beech and Qnirke waited on the conference of the Farmers' Union with a view to biwiug about amalgamation of the two bodies. ' Mr Donning submitted the following as a basis for amalgamation :•—(1) That the combined Associations be named the New Zealand Farmers' and Producers' Union. (2) That the Producer's' Union's platform be submitted for the favourable, consideration of the New Zealand Farmers' Union with a view to its being substantially incorporated m the combined Association's programme. (3) That in view of thegreat importance of the combined "Associations becoming numerically strong and as a token of our amalgamation, we submit the idea of the . Association accepting the benefit of the Producers' Union's secretary's services for the Wellington province to assist in the enrolment of members, etc. (4) We invite the New Zealand Farmers' Union to favourably consider the suggestion to make the platforms of the two Associations as a common pro- , gramme for all. (5) That delegates be empowered to accept amalgamation, provided that such be substantially in accordance with the objects and platform of the Producers' Union, keeping well in view the great advantages of unity and eliminating all party politics from the new programme. After Mr Moore had read the platform of the Producers' Union, Mr Welsh contended that it was identical with the Farmers' Union, and that all that remained to be done was for the former to ]oin the Farmers' Union.

The chairman pointed out that the two platforms were not exactly the same, inasmuch as the Farmers' Union had to take over the secretary of the Producers' Uuion.

Mr Dunning said all that the Producers' Union asked, was that their secretary should assist in the work of enrolment if amalgamation took place. In reply to a question, Mr Dunning said the membership of the Producers' Union totalled 90, and no canvas had been made for support. A discussion then ensued in reference to alleged disloyalty of Mr Moore (secretary of the Producers' Union) while he was connected with the Farmers' Union.

. Mr Glass stated that Mr Moore suggested to him that he should assist him (Mr Moore) to form the Producers' Union, and that it would be all right, as the Farmers' Union would soon "be defunct. The delegates from the Producers' Union objected to the statement that Mr Moore was unfaithful to the Farmers' Union. Mr McDonald (Producers' Union) asserted that party politics had been introduced into the Farmers'. Union (Cries of -'-So!"), and in proof of this statement he said the platform of tho Union aimed a blow at the Land for Settlement Act Continuing, Mr McDonald said they had met together as farmers and his Union desired amalgamation but not absorption. The Producers' Union desired an honourable recognition of their efforts. Mr McDonald asserted, however, that the wind had been taken out of the sails of the Producers' Union by the Farmers' Union, as the'latter had appropriated their platform. Mr Venn : It would be impossible for a big craft like the Farmers' Union to take the wind out of the sails of a small craft like the Producers' Union. Mr Leach (Taranaki Union) was opposed to amalgamation. He moved, That the Farmers' Union cannot accept amalgamation with the Producers' Union, but that the members of the latter can join the Farmers' Union as individuals. - ' • Mr Hamilton stated that he had had a conversation recently with Mr Brown, a member of the Producers' Union, and that gentleman informed him that tho Farmers' Union was a political organisation. The speaker said he explained to Sir Brown the aims and objects of file Farmers' Union, and the latter admitted that he had been misled.

Mr Dunning: Mr Brown is not a member of the Producers' Union. You have been " done brown."

Messrs Richards (Te-Horo) and R. Smith (Pahiatua) deprecated any illfeeling cropping up between the two Unions. They thought that the. matter could be settled amicably by the members of the P'-oducers' Union joining tho Farmers' Union.

Mr Dunning suggested that it would be advisable for the amended platform of the Farmers' Union to be placed before them and they could give-it careful consideration before any final decision was arrived at.

During further discussion, AL? Moore stated that before terms were arfac°-ed it would be necessary for a mutual agreement/to be arrived at in regarl to blending the names of tho Farmers' Union and Producers' Union.

Some of the delegates to the Farmers' Union said such a condition would not be entertained.

~ -l-n. reVh to a question, Mr Moore said if his services were accepted he would require to have the work oksofe organisation in the Wellington province, MiGlass to control similar work in other Provinces in the colony.

After Messrs Glass aud Moore had placed then- views before the meetiim iv regard to what had taken place at Pahiatua in connection with establishing a branch of the Farmer's Union in that district, " Mr Birch suggested that it was unwise for 1-ecnminatioiis to take place between Messrs Glass and Moore, and ttat the matter^should be determined without further discussion. ti T^iF?? 1' 6 saidas ik aPPeared evident hat the Farmers' Union must stand as at present, that tlie members Intended ofhcering it m their own way and that the members of the Produced te„Jw, 0ll!/ Join ifcon conditions imposed by the former. It was useless for them to continue the discussion, and the delegates might as well withdi-aw S^- m? el_?* The? ™-c only wasting time m discussing the matter Air Quirke said he had assisted'to form the Pi-oducers' Union because he thought the Farmers' Union did not meet requirements. At the "same tmie he would hke to see the two Uni^s amalgamated. . vmons t_JS Hn™.*»n - (Taranaki) objected to the Farmers' Umon, which had a mem berskp of 8000 being dictated to W. the Producers' Union, which only possessed 90 members. y P The motion proposed by Mr Leach was held m abeyance, and the Pahiatua delegates were with a copy of fte- amended platform of the Farmed Union, after which they retired from the decide what acC

This mormug the proposed amal™. ma ion between the two" union^a JgWfussed by theFarmers'uS

It was decided., on the motion of Mr Pleasants, seconded by Mr Bun-ell, That tbis Conference..'having heard the views ot the deputation from the Pahiatua Producers' Union, desires to thank them for their explanations, aud finally have decided that this Union will be pleased to accept the members of the Producers' Union as members of the Farmers' Union.

Subsequently a letter wa^ received from the delegates of the Producers' Union m which they complained that aspersions had been made against their Union and its officers by the Farmers' Union and asked that such be with drawn.-. If that course were adopted: timamcnded programme of the Farmers5 Union would bo. considered by the Pro1 duccrs Union. Meanwhile they (the' Pahiatua delegates)" considered thatthc terms of the Farmers' Union were not ior;tr rcofamdsamati°^^ The delegates denied that aspersions Son ° U,l°n lho

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