NELSON FARMERS’ UNION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 18 July 1924, Page 3

NELSON FARMERS’ UNION

JUiETING or EXrCL'TIVJ

The Executive of tho .Nelson Farmers ’ Union transacted the following business yesterday afternoon : A circular was read from F. Yd. Greenwood, Instructor in Agriculture. Blenheim, notifying that the Marlborough and Nelson Farmers’ Winter School would commence in .Blenheim on Monday, August -Ith, and continue until August fhh, and that all farmers of above districts were cordially invited to attend. Lectures would be given on all Tranches of agricultural larining. Farmers attending would find their own accommodation in .Blenheim. Air Wilkinson referred to the fact 'hat Marlborough had an agricultural instructor on. their own, although Nelson had been first to move in the matter.

The chairman said the Nelson application had net been received with favour, and .Marlborough had been asked to combine with Nelson.

Mr F orsylli said the request had not been pushed on with by Nelson, as at that time there had been a move in progress to obtain a remission of the Cawthrou death duties, and it had been thought unwise to imperil the latter.

Air Wilkinson, said Nelson had got neither the remission or the instructor.

Air Forsyth understood Mr Greenwood was appointed for Marlborough

and Nelson, and if this was correct, •■lie winter "school’should be held alternately iii Blenheim and Nelson. Ho moved in that direction.

Seconded by Mr 11 carried.

Haycock and

Mr It. Haycock said the Cawthrou staff were ahvay ready and willing to lecture where and when they were asked. The lectures were always instructive and interesting. The Department was also willing to send an instructor to lecture where interest- was manifested. Mr Wilkinson commented cn the recent lecture by Air Bigg, of the Cawthron Institute, on the soils of the district. The value of the lecture, lie said, was greatly enhanced by the

piess report, which every farmer was enabled to read and benefit thereby. The Oamaru- Branch scut the following motion (Remit No. Ki t for Dominion Conference by North Otago):— “That in the opinion of this meeting of farmers it is unwise and uiipoliUc *o engage in the strife of party politics and that only general politics as they affect the life and well being of the primary producers of the whole community should be touched on by the Farmers’ Union, and that the Oamaru branch of the Farmers’ Union namely, Messrs Harding and Ross, in advocating a Country or Farmers’ Party.’’

Air Wilkinson thought the members had a light to express their opinion, tie did not want to see a fourth party in the House. But they could elect members pledged to support the Farmers’ Union principles first, and the Government second. Look at the failures they had already experienced. They wanted a strong party to support their Union.

Mr R. Haycock moved that the deli gate he instructed t<> vote against forming a Country Party. The chairman read the following remits on the question of a political party Auckland CSn. UiO.)—That this Conference reaffirms its decision that ,’L desirable to form a County Party.

Otago 'No. 1 (>l). —Recognising thatsorr.c action in the political held is necessary, this Conference adheres to (lie principle of a, Country Bloc drawn from all parties, and is strongly opposed to the formation of a distinct Couulrv Party. Hawke's Bay <No. ICJ). -That this Conference considers it lo be o( vital interest to the farmers <d this country, that'the Fanners’ Union take steps to see that they obtain proper political representation. Poverty Bay (No. 1t53).~-That we confirm the action taken by the A 11 >• k.land Provincial District, and -support tiio principle of political action, and would urge great caution in splitting the Parties, which might be detrimental to the farming interest. Mr li. Haycock was certain that aCountry Party meant splitting up the Farmers’ Unions.

The chairman-said that Auckland Ur.ion ascribed its success to its platform for a Country Party. The members of that union displayed the greatest zeal in the affairs of their organisation.

Mr Goodall said <i.t wan a very old question. He did not waiit to see remits sent in from liis union that Mere contradictory to each other, and gave an instance where this had happened in the past. He at one time was in favour of a Country I’arty, but had altered his opinion. Ho was opposed to party polities, and favoured an elective executive as <iu Switzerland. The Farmers’ Union should try something democratic and tight for it. tie was absolutely opposed to the Farmers’ Union forming party. ""Ideas sell for big money if properly protected and marketed. Keep your invention secret until you have consulted us We will gladly discuss its protection and commercial development. Henry Hughes, Ltd. (Directors: W. E. Hughes and J. T. Hunter, Regcl., Patent Attorneys), 157 Featlierstcn street, Wellington. Nelson Agents: W. Rout and Sons! Lid,, IJni'dy street.

Party government at the present time was a curse. Mr Forsyth was in favour ot soiAe chrcct action. Jle failed to see how a Country Parly vould_ split up the Farmers’ Unions. Tho Union luul miu this platform for some 20 years, since its inception. (Tim President: ‘‘Principles—Not Party.”) No Government would take any notice of them unless tiioy took an active interest in party polities. Mr Wilkinson said as far as his own persona! opinions were concerned he would support Mr Forsyth’s view. They had not a man in the House pledged to the principles of the Farmers’ Union. There would probably he three candidates in each electorate at the next election. These would all pledged to a party. The Union needed a solid bloc in the House, and men ready to stand up for the Farmers’ Union first, of all. Mr Tunnioliffe did not like party politics, and tire sooner they were (tone away with the better lor the country. Ho held similar views to Mr Goodail and would second Mr Ifaycoek’s motion.

Mr Goodail prophesied that of a Oountrv Parly was formed tho result would he a strong Labour Government in the next Parliament. Ho asked Mr Hayeoek if lie would snhsitntc the following amended motion: — ‘‘That this executive is opposed to the Farmers’ Union forming a separate Party .in Parliament, being of opinion that tho Party system of Government is not in the best interests o{ tlm Dominion. We believe that the system of an Elective Executive should be given a trial and we urge the Farmers’ Union to accept this as part of the platform.”Mr Haycock agreed to this and jt was carried.

The chairman mentioned that Messrs A. Haycock and T. C. Fargher. who 1 ad left the meeting at noon to attend meeting at Richmond re herd testing association, etc., had intimated that they were opposed to the formation, of a Country Party.

Mr Goodail moved: “That this executive protests against the excessive amount of home-work given to childnu in country schools.” The mover said that the other evening one of his children brought homo P.ve sums and .30 pages of geography to go over. Tasks like this meant the children could not get sufficient rest. Second.'d by Mr Forsyth and came 1. The. meeting unanimously favoured a motor tyre, tax as against a petrol tax.

Other remits were briefly discussed to give, delegates an indication of how to vote at tho Conference. Air H. Tunniclilfe’s resignation was accepted with regret. hearty vote of (hanks was accorded to tho press. The executive rose shortly before -i o’clock.