The Manawatu Daily Times The Farmers’ Union

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 175, 27 July 1935, Page 4

The Manawatu Daily Times The Farmers’ Union

At the recently liekl annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, important re-organisation policies were adopted. These provide for the establishment of ten provinces within the union, riuch “provinces” will not follow geographical boundaries but will emurace areas that naturally lend themselves to grouping. Tims the Manawatu is to be grouped with Wanganui, Southern Hawke’s Jkiy and the Kangitikei districts into single “province” of the union. Each “province” is to have a minimum membership of 1201). Area organisers will be appointed to each, to link local councils to Dominion headquarters.

The proposals adopted are for the purpose of building the Farmers' Union into an active, inlluentiai but non-political institution. In the words of Mr. W. J. Poison, the president: “We have lagged behind for years as an organisation, uninspired by the example of the National r aimers' Union of (treat Britain which has no rivals and within its ranks covers all the varied activities wc see discussed so often in the daily Press, whose committees handle anything from wheat to veal and which is listened to with the respect it deserves. To-day we arc asked to give service or let someone else do it. Let us have the courage to give it a go.”

With the establishment of various boards and finally the Executive Commission of Agriculture, and with the talk of quotas and levies in the air, the formation of a really representative and influential Farmers’ Union is a matter of importance to every primary producer and the delegates to the conference had the wisdom to examine the shortcomings of their organisation and the courage and energy to take steps to set their house in order. The final need is widespread and actively interested membership.