“Extraordinary Stab In The Back” -Adams

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1944, Page 4

“Extraordinary Stab In The Back” -Adams

(Special) AUCKLAND, This Day. Registration of the United Farmers’ Federation of New Zealand (Auckland Province) by Mr. H. M. Rushworth and others is described by Mr. N. P. Adams, of Clevedon, as “an extraordinary stab in the back by the provincial executive against its own headquarters.” Mr. Adams is Auckland Provincial President of the Sheepowners’ Federation and he has been one of the sheepowners’ delegates meeting with representatives of New Zealand Farmers’ Union to draft rules and formally start a new federation of the Farmers’ Union and Sheepowners’ Federatioh. Mr. Adams said that they had been sitting in Wellington in July and September and up to October 27, and delegates of the Farmers’ Union from Auckland province were present, “At that time we knew nothing of this move,” Mr. Adams continued, “and we ended in total unanimity about the formation of a new united body. The United Farmers’ Federation of New Zealand (Auckland province) was registered in Auckland on October 30 and proceedings must have been afoot to put this into force when we were actually sitting in Wellington and agreeing. Seems Ridiculous

“I do not believe that the executive members of the Farmers’ Union in Auckland province knew anything about this move at all. I think it a most disloyal move of the provincial president against the .Dominion organisation.’’ Mr. Adams said this was a move to federate the whole of the farmers of New Zealand and it seemed ridiculous that Auckland should set itself up as a separate registered body. He had spoken to thousands of farmers in the Auckland province and found them of one mind in desiring a federation. No farmer would join a local body that had no Dominion-wide status as against a body that had . “Although it will cause tremendous confusion among the farming community, and it almost looks like a rift, I am sure there will be no rift,” Mr. Adams concluded, “and ultimately it may be all to the good. It will show doubters that the Federation, as a Dominion organisation, is one to follow and not a provincial one which has no Dominion powei’.”