MR R. J. L. YORK AND THE FARMERS’ UNION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 17 January 1939, Page 8

MR R. J. L. YORK AND THE FARMERS’ UNION

iTo The Editori Sir,—At the last meeting of the Ngatimoti branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union reference was made to the remarks of Mr York at the December meeting of the Waimea Electric Power Board as reported in your paper, when he saw fit to disparage the Farmers’ Union, both as to its claim to represent the farmers of New Zealand, and its authority to state their case before such local bodies as may be dealing with matters of concern to farmers. We feel that Mr York would be well advised to be sure of his facts before making statements which he well knows would receive publicity through the press A reference to the latest figures deal- | ing with the membership of the union, ‘hows that fully financial members total 24.000. and this number is rapidly increasing. This fact, alone, will correct the impression—which seems to be held by some sections of the general public—that the Farmers’ Union does not truly represent the voice of the farmers. It constitutes a very much higher proportion of the farmers of New Zealand than the 25 per cent, stated by Mr York. In addition to this, other primary producers organisations such as the Dairy Farmers’ Union, Fruitgrowers’ Federation, and Sheepowners’ Federation are either directly represented on Dominion and/or provincial executives of the Farmers’ Union, or work closely in conjunction with these bodies. As regards Mr York’s remarks on attendance at branch meetings we know’ of no member who has not been prepared to support the decisions of the branch to which he belongs. Excepting those who will not join for certain private reasons, our local membership of 45 includes all but a very few' of the farmers in this district. This letter has been written under direct authority of the branch—as recorded in the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday last, and we trust that this brief statement will suffice to show that any action by the Farmers’ Union should not go unheeded. as being an expression of the opinion of farmers in general.—We. are, etc.. R. W. S. STEVENS, President, D. I. LLEWELLIN, Hon. Sec., Ngatimoti Branch, N.Z. Farmers’ Union Orinoco, 14th January.