Services to Fanners Recognised

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 144, 21 June 1939, Page 3

Services to Fanners Recognised

PRESENTATION TO MR. LLOYD HAMMOND Warm tributes to the outstanding service to the New Zealand Farmers’ Union and to the farming community generally, rendered by Mr. J. R. Lloyd Hammond of Rata, were paid by speakers at yesterday's meeting of the Wellington Provincial Executive of the Union, held at Marton when Mr. Hammond was presented with a piece of silver plate. Mr. D. G. Gordon (president) stated that members of the executive had decided that the great and unstinted services rendered to the farming community by Mr. Hammond should be recognised. Sparing neither time nor energy he had filled the position with ability and zeaL Since its inception the union had been well served by men of ability and integrity and many had passed on without any practical recognition of their great work. “But we have progressed,” continued Mr. Gordon, “and we have progressed so far that we can now recognise such services and to-day wo do express in a tangible form our sincere appreciation of services rendered by Mr. Hammond. It is upon the foundations of those pioneers in the work of the Farmers' Union that we have built upon and it should be some satisfaction to Mr. Hammond to know that he has contributed to the laying of a base ou which we hope a better and more influential union may be built.” While the Farmers' Union had at times 1 alien short of expectations it was today more influential and more of a power in the affairs of the country and it would be some satisfaction to Mr. Hammond to know that in retiring from the provincial presidency he was leaving it in a very healthy position. Incidentally he had made it very difficult for those elected to follow him. “Although 1 am sorry that Mr. Hammond felt it necessary to withdraw from the presidency I agree that the two positions he held, that of provincial president and group president, set him a task which no man could do full justice to. “Farmers are individualists,” continued Mr. Gordon, “and it is for that reason that it is necessary for those who guide the destinies of the union that they should keep in touch with the rank rnd file. I know that Mr. Hammond has done this well. We all know in a nonpolitical body such as ours that it is no ulways possible to satisfy everybody but we know tha.t Mr. Hammond has carried out his duties without fear or favour and has been outspoken in his opinions.

“Mr. Hammond has made a definite contribution to the influence of the Farmers' Union whose functions included that of educating public opinion towards a recognition of the fact that lue interests of primary producers provided the base of the country’s economic life. In this connection Mr. Hammond had rendered very- valuable service and he had done it in the interests of the farming community as a whole.”

Concluding Mr. Gordon said that the executive was happy of the opportunity of making some small recognition of his great services. Mr. Hammond was not leaving the executive and the speaker hoped that ho would continue to find

time to increase the usefulness of the union. By our presence here to-day we wish to convey to Mr. Hammond the understanding that his work and service has not been in vain. The union hai still a long way to go and we just wan; to say ‘Thank you' and to express the hope that you will continue your good work.” (Applause.) Supporting to president, Mr. A. Campbell said that few men had put more time and work into the position than Mr. Hammond, of whom he was particularly proud that he was a young New Zealander whose services had been sought by his fellow men. His work would go on and it was men of the type of Mr. Hammond that the country was looking for to guide its destinies. (Applause.)

Mr. F. V. Toulmin said he was verj proud of being able to claim h£r. Hammond as a member of the Hunterville branch of the union and was happy to be associated with the tributes to one who had served the union so well. (Applause.) Mr. J. A. Harris, of Turakina, felt great gratitude to Mr. Hammond for ull he had done to further the interests of the union and the farming community generally. He had always something constructive to say and his presence at a meeting always assured a good attendance.

Mr. E. B. Gordon, M.P., Rangitikei, speaking on behalf of the Marton oianch, expressed appreciation of the services Mr. Hammond had rendered. Too often the time and enctgy given by men like Mr. Hammond in the interests of their fellowmen was overlooked and lie was happy that steps had been taken lo recognise his services. He was sure farmers generally were deeply indebted to Mr. Hammond for all he had done in their cause. (Applause.) Mr. A. C. Birch adding his quota of praise and thanks said that Mr. Hammond had been a very great inspiration to all young farmers. Mr. J. Kilgour, of Apiti, said that his branch greatly appreciated all that Mr. Hammond had done and thanked him most sincerely. On behalf of the Halcombe branch, Mr. Hamilton said that the executive was losing a good man in Mr. Hammond and if all could do as much as he had done the union would quickly rise to j that power which it aimed at achieving. The provincial secretary (Mr. K. M. Little) also spoke of Mr. Hammond's great work and Mrs. J. A. Harris, on behalf of the Women’s Division, expressed appreciation of the services rendered to the farming community by the guest. In asking Mr. Hammond’s acceptance of a solid silver tea-pot suitably inscribed Mr. Gordon paid a further tribute to Mr. Ilammond's emphasis on the importance of primary production to the economic welfare of the country In this he disagreed with the utterances of the Hon. W. Nash whose plea was for the development of secondary industries. The union believed that primary production should come first and then build up economic secondary industries. That was the aim of the union and what Mr. Hammond had been urging. He trusted that Mrs. Hammond would share the appreciation expressed by members for her co-operation had undoubtedly contributed towards the success of the great work rendered by Mr. Hanjmond. (Applause.) Replying, Mr. Hammond said that he felt most embarrassed and would sooner face a battery of criticism than the

eulogiums of members of the executive. He said that whatever success he had attained in furthering the interests of the Farmers’ Union had been due entirely to the confidence reposed in him by the executive. Without tho confidence that his executive was behind him he would not have been able to do what he had done, so what he had achieved —and he made no claims to having achieved anything worthy of the praise showered on him, had been due to the support accorded him by the executive. He had felt for a long time that farmers devoted too much time to their industry without giving time to their organisation and the union would go very much further if farmers gave a little more time to their union. Mr. Hammond was glad that referenre had been made to his predecessors for he knew full well the work and service they had rendered to the union and to tho farming community generally. Ho was sure that Mr. Gordon would fill the position adequately for he would find that he was supported by a band of willing and cheerful helpers. He sincerely appreciated the references to Mrs. Hammond but could not find words to express adequately his thanks to members for the present which he would treasure all his life. (Applause.)

Mr. Hammond was then presented with the Provincial Life Membership Badge. Proceedings closed with the serving of morning tea by Mcsdames Harris and Bryce on behalf of -the Women’s Division.