NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12260, 2 May 1903, Page 5 (Supplement)

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

OBE AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE.

[BY J.P., BAY 01' ISLANDS!.]

As last year, so now I am asked to review the proceedings of the Auckland Provincial Conference of the New Zealand Fanners' Union as one of the delegates.

As may be expected, one's first impulse is to compare the company of delegates with those of last year. The numbers are about the same. In the main the same individuals, but there were some new faces, and we noted the absence of some faces that should have been there. This is one part of the work that as yet is little understood by some of our country members. If the conferences fail it will be of little use for item to continue their branch meetings. But the spirit shown by those attending the conference gave abundant evidence that we are not going to fail.

In the changes of officers and executive our late president, Mr. Kirkbride, passes on to Wellington, in reality to serve the interests of the union and the country districts generally in that higher sphere. As he took his place alongside Mr. Massey, in the conference the action was significant, and foretold united action in the future. Same others had better take note. Mr. Rutherford brings to the work experience and love for the work itself. Mr. E. Hall, as secretary, was not forgotten in his travels, which it is hoped will be for the good of all of us. Mr. It. J. Garland meantime eanrng the thanks of us all for tilling the gap so efficiently. The executive is a body of men that mean work. Liviug myself in a remote district, 1 tan testify that "the desire to gather the members of the executive from all over the province was only checked by the difficulties and expense connected with travelling. As regards the number of members we are told 'hat three years ago, in this province, they totalled about 1500, two years ago about 2000, one year ago about 5000. and now over 4000. The members for the colony are about 22.000. Last year several of our city Mends saw fib to put in an appearance and evidence theiy kindly feeling. This year we had not one. From personal knowledge I am led to believe that there is no lack of sympathy, but we suppose it is presumed that the "farmers can boil their own billy. So we can. But I hasten to correct myself and acknowledge gratitude, not only my own, but that of everyone, that I know, to Mr. Pond, for his extremely interesting addresses, one on the rust in grain and the ether or. artificial manures. 1 here remember inother city visitor; Mr. Templar, secretary to the Employers' Association, Mas .in constant attendance. He took a, lively interest in the proceedings, and was ready to offer Miv assistance. ' Touching the subjects brought before the conference they were very numerous. Some of them were of a local character, others tended towards what some of us older folk consider to be the bane of our colonial life T-too much centralisation —asking too much from the " Government." and as a consequence putting too much power in their hands. Most of us who received our drilling in the old countries are awake to the danger, and, like our Saxou fathers before as, we strive after strengthening our local governing bodies Home Rule, combined with Imperial federation. Of necessity the question will lie constantly arising in the minds of our town workers, "What are the farmers 'up to?" "' Let the sayings and the doings of the conference answer. I remember not one word that could reasonably bo objected to by even an ardent trades unionist. But let there be no mistake. Many of the members of that conference were fighting Old Country Tory tyranny when our younger town friends wore in their cradles, or not born. Some of us were well-nigh driven here, so that we might be able to sit under our own vine and fig tree in peace. We have all the old instincts strong within us. We rejoice as much as any. of our city friends at the uplifting of the workers ft Home through the action of the unions. I have a copy of " A Voice from the Plough," given me by the. author himself, Mr. Arthur Claydeii. Joseph Arch figures prominently in that book. Our ardour has not iied out as the years have rolled by. Did necessity arise, and even a slight indication show itself that our workers (we are all workers) were in danger of Toeing reduced to anything like the condition of the workers in the old lands in the olden time, I fearlessly assert, speaking from a wide experience, that I know of but a very few of our settlers who would not at once fall into Hne to resist the evil. On the other hand we must be pardoned ii in our quiet, remote homes we take notes, compare, and meditate. We say that we, as a people, have been travelling round the circle ; we are. crossing very near the point wibere extremes meet. Free as we are from the tyranny of old feudalism, we are not so degenerate as to become willing slaves to an upstart power, and our children will stand by us. One subject spoken of at the conference is of great importance, the matter of fire end accident insurance. Here again, the old contention comes in. All wt ask is that Mr. Kirkbride's Bill may be made law, so that without in any way interfering with others we may be allowed to manage our own affairs. No doubt there will be a light, especially with the advocates of Stat* fire insurance. Surely the action of* the Government Department in the matter of accident insurance should warn everyone against that scheme. Toe proposal to establish a Farmers' Union newspaper met with short shrift. The acclamation which greeted the remarks of the president as to* the generous treatment given to the union by the newspapers of the colony generally showed that one and all appreciated the present state of filings. And just here I would like to thank the correspondents present for the fulness and fairness of their reports. Mr. McCurdy, •thel, new organising agent, addressed the conference. If lire is needed he has a supply on hand. ■ Other' subjects may be referred to, but the reports have told. We, as delegates, are scattered again. But the bond that now unites us grows stronger. Claiming to be descendants in the spirit of the " farmer of St. Ives" we do not want to disgrace our ancestry. We may not be quite equal to Cromwell's Ironsides, but we belong to the same family.