PROVINCIAL STATUS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 400, 18 May 1922, Page 6

PROVINCIAL STATUS.

KEEPING THE FARMERS TOGETHER

A request for provincial status was made by the Manawatu sub-provincial branch of the Fanners' Union to the provincial conference at Wanganui in the form of the following remit: "Thai ihe Manawatu SubProvincial District be given' status as a provincial district."

Mr A. _ Buchanan moved (he adoption of the remit, and advocated that the next conference be held at Pahnerston North.

Mr Gregor McGregor (Wavcrley) moved that there be added to the motion ''and that) a sub-committee be set up to determine- the most satisfactory boundaries of such province," whereupon Mr Buchanan agreed to amend the remit to that effect.

Alter it great many had spoken, the opinion of the Dominion president was asked. Mr Poison said thai every district in New Zealand was striving for the same thing as Wanganui. The first thing to consider was what was best for the organisation as a whole. What, was likely to popularise it most, and secure the greatest community of interest. He mentioned Marlborough as being a live enthusiastic district, ami if was much smeller than Wanganui. Wairoa was languishing and declared that it needed provincial status. Personally he was not a, sub-provincial man. It mean: too many barriers. Fifty per cent of the farmers were dairymen and the union was keen to help the dairyman, lie must not bo kept out of the union. He needed his union right at his door. Personally, wherever a large district showed community of interest, In (Mr Poison) thought that it: needed provincial status to push it along. lie had a scheme for Dominion organisation, which he would put before the next Dominion conference, and he thought that when that was realised all would be satisfied that the main thing was to secure community of interest.

Mi* Morrison also spoke strongly on the need for properly organising the farmers, and urged that anything to secure proper co-operation should bo done. Mr Parsons, president of the Wanganui branch, said they wanted efficiency. He mentioned the defections of Waverley and Rapanui and commented on the- need for keeping a head office going.

The motion was carried by 21 to 13.