M.'s.H.R. AND THE FARMERS' UNION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7067, 29 July 1901, Page 4

M.'s.H.R. AND THE FARMERS' UNION.

On Saturday a number of members of the Houae of Representatives, including Messrs Monk, McGuire, Massey, Herries, •J. Stevens, Meredith, J. Allen, Rhodes, Pirani, Hardy, Fowlds and Field, visited Palmerston for the purpose of attending a publio meeting held in connection with the Farmers' Union.

The vi3itors were met at the railway station on arrival of the Wellington train by some of the most prominent members of the Farmers' Union and were escorted to Dawick's Buffet, where they were onterfcained at .luncheon, a first-class spread being provided by the proprietors of this popular establishment. •

After lunoheon, Mr J. G. Wilson (President of the; Farmers' Union for the Wellington Province) briefly welcomed the visiting members of Parliament, stating that he did so irrespective of whether they were Liberals or Conservatives. The members of the Farmers' Union were glad to meet the members of Parliament, especially on account of the industry in which tho former were engaged.

. Mr Meredith, M.H.8., in responding, reciprocated the land words of weloome uttered by Mr Wilson. He stated that the members of Parliament came to Palmerston that' day' to hear the views of the Farmers' Onion on matters affecting the farming and producing industry in the North Island and the colony generally, and they were not present for the particular object of expressing their own views. He questioned the propriety of members of Parliament, or even the members of the Ministry, continually " poking their noses " into every organisation that mightbe established by a section of the community for their own mutual benefit. (Applause). Farmers had as much light to form themselves into an organisation as wharf laborers, and he was delighted to find that during the past few days the farmers liad been holding meetings for the futherance of. their own interests, & He ■ liad read reports of the proceedings and was delighted with the sound common sense which the .various speakers had displayed. After expressing the hope that the farmers' Union would establish branches thronghout the colony, he went on to speak in glowing terms of the capabilities of the Manawatu district. It:was, he stated, one of the best districts in the North Island, in fact he knew oi no district which would surpass that of which Palmerston was the centre. (Applause). He believed Palmerston would becomo to the Provincial district of Wellington what Ashburton was to the Provincial district of Canterbury. : He was not aware whether the Farmers' Union had completed its platform,- but whether or not he would tender the following ag friendly suggestions:— Ist.—Eliminate from your programme every vestige of political partizanship. •No are a brotherhood with common aims and objects, and for the furthering of which we form ourselves into a Union. 2nd.—Reduction in railway charges on the haulage of all farm produce including wool. 3rd.— Establishment of schools of of dairying instruction to educate our young men and young women in the latest and most improved methods of producing high quality butter and cheese. ' 4th.—To open up new markets outside the colony for the sale of our natural and manufactured products. sth.—To urge on Britain the desirability of preferential tariff favorable to the colonies, and thus enabling New Zealand producers to capture a larger share of the British markets for our products, which market is now largely . exploited by European nations. " 6th.—To subsidise ships to carry to foreign markets our raw and manufactured products,

7. That legislation favourable to the farmers and producing community should be passed and all legislation inimical to the same eommuruty should he watched. ■

Mr Meredith then read a rpsolution passed by members of the House advising the Producers' Union to join the Farmers' Union, stating that 'it was desirable to have one strong Association to work in the interests of the farmers. As showing the need of assisting the farmers he stated that the exports from the colony last year amounted to 13 millions, and of that 10 millions were the.direct products of the farming community. ■

Mr Pirani, M H.R., said he thought it should be understood that all the members of Parliament present had.not previously seen the suggestions made by Mr Meredith, much less would they think of.dictating to the Farmers' Union one plank that they should put in their platfarin. No one welcomed the formation of the Farmers' Union more than the genuine politician. Years ago they were advised to take this course and it was satisfactory to find them now acting on the suggestions of their host friends.

An adjournment was then made to the Fire Brigade Hall, whera a public roeot ing-was held. Mr J. G,."Wilson, who presided, 6aid the Farmers' Union wished to make it clear that they supported no Government and that they eschewed party polities entirely. The Farmers' Union had united on one point, viz.. the protection of their own interests, and outside that they had nothing to do with political questions. The speaker said he wished it to be understood" that the Union did Dot consider itself a Phoenix risen from the ashes of some other Association, National, or otherwise, and he then proceeded to read the platform of the Union for the North Mand, whichhas already been published, being similar, to that adopted for the "Wellington province.

Mr J. Stevens, M.H.R. for Manawatu. prefaced his remarks with an allusion So the mixed nature of the interests in the electorate he represented, more so he considered than any other electorate in New Zealand. He was, however, glad to find that the farming community had decided to form a union for the express purpose of promoting their own interests. They were aware of tie interest he had always taken in connection with the farming industry, and while he would be always on the Liberal side of the House, that is, the side devoted to the advancement of the interests of the people, he had always given his support to combinations that had appeared necessary for the proper establishment of business or industries whether for the people of the country or in the towns, and hoped that he would in the future and members of Parliament also have the opportunity afforded them of supporting measures for the benefit and prosperity of the people of the country as well.as the manufacturers in the town. As regards the.platform of the Union, any portion of it which he considered to be inimical to the interests of the farmers, as possessing too strong an element, of. party politics, ho would suggest that it should be olkninatsd because he considered they could rise superior to party politics. They would have to do so if they wished to act in the best.interests.of the producers of the country. Reference wasniadetotheneces- ■ sity for placing our produce on the outer markets of the; world and the necessity for the reduction of freights. In this connection Mr Stevens expressed the opinion that as the Government couldfind money for the purchase of large estatos, they should alsofind tho "money necessary for the purchase of ships, so as to copo with the shipping companies, who took away the hard earnings of the farmer, Mr Stevens concluded his remarks by congratulating the Unibn on the progress already achieved and hoped that increased prosperity' would follow. Mr W. Masseyj--M.-H.Ri for Franklin, said as a county settler and a representative of one of the most important agri-; cultural districts in the colony, he was pleased to bo present to show his sym-' pathy with the movement. - Within the kst few weeks it had been freely stated ll.uMt was. impossible for,farmers to com unit, but recent events1 had shown that that .statement was untrue If farmers wore to hold their own they must unite. If tliey wore to receive a fair remuneration for their labour and m proportion: to what was obtained by other sections' of the community,- they must be hmded together, and the proceedings that day proved .that; tli?y iiitdiided tuiiifin^ very effectively^. He agreed with -,itho

suggestion'that the TarmUs' Union should avoid party politics, They should, refuse to join with the.Opposition against the Government or vice yersa. '(Applause). He pointed out. the desirability of the Union watching legislation affect- ■ ing farmers' interests,- andcin regard to politics, and the politios of the Farmers' Union^sliould be-the farmers' politics, and thpn parly the farmers' party. While. he admitted the necessity, of the Government being approached at times for sup- - portyet lie wanted his fellow: settlers .to i retain their independence and individuat | ity. He wanted them to remain straight gting, independent; self-reliarrt'menV rjij-; lying oh'their own exertions rather thab; upon the help to^be-extended'by any Government. (Applause). He congratulated the Union in having' such a worthy President as Mr Wilson, and on beKalf of 'the 'Auckland Agricultural Assbciatibiitehdered'the good wishes of 'the latter forthe success'of the Union.

Mr Allen, .M.H.R.i,-;Bruce, stated that he was especially interested in the meeting because he came from the South Island. He heartily sympathised whir the movement arid thought it was in the; best interests of the farmers /of the colony. Self-reliance was the great necessity of most of us and was greatly to be encouraged in the farming community and also in the towns. • He reiterated ' his hearty sympathy with the objects of the Union and stated lie would be only too glad.to be able to assist it any time he could. The South Island needed organisation and was both ready and willing;; for organisation. There were those in the community whohad received help from the State and there were those who_ were doing a great work to the"community by living on tile land end who ought to receive more help from the State. Proceeding, he stated the time must come when farmers' politics would have an effect upon the House and upon themselves, and when that time arrived the effect of their Union would be felt for the good of themselves and for the county .- Mr W. H. Field, M.H.E,, Otaki, complimeiited the farmers on the formation of the Union, which would make its power felt in the country. For years past the necessity for combination had been urged and he hoped that as there was room only for one party in this matter that before long the Farmers' and Producers' Unions would amalgamate. In that case it would be his duty to support and help them. .

Mr Haselden, M.H.R.', Pafcea, stated that he felt rather diffident about addressing the meeting, but as he was a farmer, and had been elected to the House by a farming community, he would like to take the opportunity of stating he intended to represent their interests. He was a member of the Hunterville branch of the Union and had done his best to help and would continue to do so. The Union now numbered 8000 members, a very big record in so short a time. He co'nsi° dered that the formation of the Union was in the true interests of the farmers, because through it they would have purity of Government and party government would be done away with. They would not be under the rule'of the trade unions of the town, or under the thumb of anyone. .Neither did they want the Government to be under the thumb of anyone in this country. Mr Haselden was proceeding to attack in immeasured terms pariy government and also certain tactics of the present, administration, when he was Interrupted by tho chairman and requested to desist from any reference to party government. He concluded by making further reference to the benefits of the Farmers' Union.

Mr F.McGuire, M.H.R.. Hawera, stated he was particularly interested in the formation of the Union and considered it was time the fanners should awake to the necessity for protecting their "interests. He said that the farmers were the foundation stone of the country upon which its prosperity must be based. Statistics were quoted showing "the export value of the farming products of the colony as compared with manufactured products; the comparison being greatly in favour of the former. He considered that cverj effort should be made to open up new markets and that our products should be exploited in them.

Mr Pirani, M.H.8,., paid a tribute to the energy displayed by Mr Glass in forming the Union,- statins that the success of that gentleman was due to hie perseverance. The speaker said with regard to party politics,. the yery great nonsense had been uttered from the •platform ..that day. The speakers who had dealt with this question meant to say "avoid Mr Sedclon and Captain Russell," and why did they not do soP Because as a' natter of fact members of Parliament recognised that there was no such thing as party politics. They had not two suck parties in the House now, but what they did possess in this respect was a number of men in the House who were opposed to what was bad and who supported all that was honest and just, but there was nothing beyond that. If the Union based its potitical action upon that in supporting what was good and in opposing what was bad, the question of party politics would never trouble them at all. He did not think it was advisable for' members of Parliament to suggest to the Union any further additions to its: platform, for he would say that': while farmers were, able and clever, they did not combine with the innocence of the dnve the c;uilo of the serpent. He referred to the necessity of farmers watching legislation of a pernicious character and which-was calculated ts damage their interests, in this respect, liie speaker said1 he guaranteed there were not ten men present L outside of politicians who knew that hot later than four years ago a proposal was made -seriously in Parliament by the Government, in - connection with the Land for Settlement Bill of 1897. that no man should hold more than 25 acres of freehold land, but it was thrown out. It needed someone outside Parliament to inform the farmers of what was going on there, and he hoped that the unity which had sprung up among the farmers wculd be productive of the best results. .Addresses" were also delivered by Messrs Herries; Buddo and Monk, the tatter's humorous remarks oausing^considerable laughter and amusement,, especially when referring to the Fanners' Union1, he stated that some had thought it would be scented with party politics, while others thought it would be perfumed with extract from the bloom of Seddonia.. ■.. ;. ■'■■.- .

Mr Glass, organising secretary of the Union, m responding to complimentary remarks made by' the various speakers as to the. value of the work he had done, thanked the numerous delegates for their kind assistance and begged them to continue the work during his absence from-the"-district; He stated he proceeded at an early date to work the whole of'tho South Island and trusted that before, nine /months - had elapsed both islands would be joined in one complete union. (Cheers). Votes of thanks were accorded, the visiting members of Parliamtnt and to the chairman for presiding, and the proceedings terminated. Before returning to Wellington the visiting members availed themselves of an opportunity to see the.surrounding country and expressed themselves highly dehghtedwith its apparent' capabilities. Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Sir Joseph Ward \?«hniY, Mr Bollard! M.H.R., Eden, Captain Eussell, and Mr Symes, M.H.E., Egmont. . ! ? ■