FARMERS’ INTERESTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 24 June 1937, Page 10

FARMERS’ INTERESTS

ADDRESS BY MR HOLYOAKE, M.P. i GATHERING AT SEDDON A representative gathering of Awatere farmers assembled to hear an address by Mr K. J. Holyoake, M.P. for Motueka. and group representative of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The speaker was welcomed by the Awatere president, Mr Alex Gunn, who remarked that interest in Farmers’ Union matters was growing in the district, a number of the farmers having joined up as a result of a membership drive, and lie could assure Mr Holyoake that his remarks would be followed with interest (reports the “Express”). Mr Holyoake said that his visit was something in the nature of a dual purpose. As a group representative he had to give information to farmers concerning the growth, function, and purpose of the Farmers’ Union, as well as to stress the Dominion executive’s platform of increased membership at all meetings of farmers. The farmers in reality were but a small portion of New Zealand’s population, but nevertheless, primary produce was responsible for the revenue of the country and unless farmers individually and colectively co-operated voluntarily for their own protection and interest, then factors entirely opposing their welfare would assume control,

The lethargy of the farmers regarding their own interests was amazing and inexplicable. Out of a possible 87,000 members little more than 23,000 were financial members of the union, and while the Dominion executive had rejected the idea of compulsory unionism for the time being the hour was approaching when the Farmers' Union needed to be at full strength, either compulsorily or voluntarily. Very steadily, the nationa revenue, earned mostly by primary producers, was being deflected in an increasing amount from the producers, in taxation, costs, and services. There was grave need for a large body of sound thinkers with a clear conception of fundamentals, economically and socially, to give restraint to the present trend of affairs.

POSSIBILITY OF REACTION Admitting the desirability of good living conditions for all, Mr Holyoake said that sound thinkers felt that wage levels were too high. He had heard members of trade unions pass that remark and state that they were afraid that over stimulation of costs and wages might have a severe reaction at no very distant date. Amounts totalling close to a quarter of a million sterling were held in reserve by the Federated Trades Unions. This, significant figure showed that compulsory unionism for a purpose was being achieved amongst the country’s working population. Yet all the time only a percentage of farmers took into consideration the indication of such activity. Mr Holyoake read an extract from a recent publication which' in effect frankly stated, that the New Zealand pastoralist was a liability to the State and not an asset. An extract from the same editorial stated that the sooner large secondary interests and producers were put into active and fruitful operation, eveft though the farmer might be bankrupted, the better for New Zealand. The speaker scathingly referred to the article as “inflammatory bosh.” The farmer had to seek a market 13,500 miles away and then try to make headway financially. The secondary industries had the benefit of that distance to protect themselves against competitive imports and could not do so. That they should subscribe to such amazing ideals and objectives, unacceptable to sound thinkers both on and off the land, was a fact in black and white for any who wished to see. The real damage lay in the effect such publications would have amongst its followers, who were undoubtedly numerous and took such short-sighted arguments seriously, without giving to them the analysis of sound thinking.

POSITION NOT UNASSAILABLE Mr Holyoake reiterated that the farmers’ natural independence and apparently free action led him to believe that his position was unassailable and secure. Such was not the fact. He was a minority, and a small one, surrounded by a population making increasing demands on national revenue. No farmer was justified in passing the trite remark: "Well, what is the Farmers’ Union doing about it?” His support financially and personally made the union, and his opinion, submitted for analysis to his branclj, constituted the power vitally necessary for the union’s wellbeing. Such action was lamentable and the outcome of such a line of thought paralysed the union and, made the farmer an easy individual mark for further economic abuse. The idea of a union consisting of only 23,000 members naturally had little political representation against the request of the associated trades unions. The farmer must agree to the fact that he had to have a voice in the country’s affairs. Why then his scant membership and his lack of branch support? The scales of production and cost had to balance equally, and the speaker remarked that unless the producers’ massed opinion were in active evidence to restrain excess, then the farmer would have to take the consequences.

UNION’S ACTIVITIES Mr Holyoake proceeded to give a resume of the Farmers’ Union activities. The Dominion executive, in .the depression period, he said, made strong representation to the previous Government to raise the exchange rate from 10 to 25 per cent. This step had been taken and apparently the present Government saw fit to retain the exchange rate at that level. Another benefit resulting from the union’s intervention was a saving of £50,000 for the farmers in 1936 by a reduction in the cost of superphosphate. The union’s activities were constantly in the direction of rendering more, favourable farming conditions and facilities, and for those very laudible ideals it was worth the active and loyal support of every farmer in the Dominion. Touching on the question of compulsory unionism the speaker said that a full inquiry was being made into all aspects of the matter, and that should it be possible to amalgamate all the unions such as the fruit; tobacco and tomato growers, with the major unions