FARMERS ORGANISING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15447, 3 November 1913, Page 9

FARMERS ORGANISING.

THE COUNTRY AROUSED.

PORTS TO BE KEPT OPEN.

SPECIAL CONTINGENTS READY.

500 MEN FROM HAMILTON.

Offers of their services in a,ny capacity are being made by farmers in all parts of the Auckland Province, from the Bay of Plenty to the far North. A force approaching 1500 will be assembled, if necessary, from the districts south of Auckland as far as Tauranga and north as far as Whangarei. Even from this limited area, a great many more men could be drawn than are likely to be required, and as 500 others are to bo selocted | in the city, there will bo 2000 men available to resume the shipping business of the port, and to protect those who are employed in handling cargo from any at tempt at molestation if no settlement of the strike is reached. As soon as it was realised that relief must be found for an intolerable condition, the assistance was secured of y the Farmers' Union and the Associated Farmers' Co-operative Society. Working by means of their many branches, these two bodies have , carried on the work of organisation so rapidly that within a few days 1500 men can be brought to the city, ready for any duties which they may be asked to undertake. From every branch with which it has communicated, the Farmers' Union executive has been informed that volunteers are ready to proceed to Auckland immediately they are summoned. From several districts offers have been made of nativo contingonts, but these have not been accepted. A message congratulating it on the stand it has taken in the interests of the farming community, has been received by the provincial executive from the president of the New Zealand Farmers' Union (Mr. J. G. Wilson). A large proportion of the men will be mounted, each man providing his own horse. Complete arrangements have been made for the accommodation and provisioning of this large body of men. A camp on military lines will be established about four miles from the city, and although the men will assemble as farmers anxious to protect their interests from the injury which threatens them, most of them have had experience of military training, and will readily respond to the discipline and regulation of military methods. The first detachment will comprise 500 men. Thev will be assembled at Hamilton, and will proceed, probably by mad, to Auckland, and immediately go into camp. There other detachments will be concentrated, until the required force is gathered in readiness for. the final stage in the plans for restoring normal conditions on the waterfront. The whole body of farmers will be under the command of Major Lusk and Captain Colbeck, and its services will be utilised in any manner that is determined by the city and harbour authorities. "I ACTIVITY AT HAMILTON. TELEPHONE SERVICE OPEN. [n7 TELEGRATII. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Hamilton, Sunday. The loading office bearers and officials of the Waikato Agricultural Associations and the Hamilton branch of tho Farmers' Union met to day in the office of the latter, and had a very busy time transacting business in connection with the enrolment of special constable and free workers throughout the Waikato. Many hundreds of names have been handed in, ai a result of Saturday's meetings throughout the district. In reply to a telegram from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, the chairman (Mr. R. J. GwynneL received tho following message from tlie Prime Minister on Saturday night" Arrangements will be made for tho central telephone offices in tin Waikato to remain open to-morrow. Thanks for telegram.—W. F. Ma<&ey." This enabled the executive in Hamilton to keep in touch with the districts to-day, but so far as can be gathered no new development has occurred. Particulars of the organisation at present proceeding arc withheld in the meantime. \ SUPPLY OF HORSES OFFERED. MANY VOLUNTEERS. [by TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] Te Aroha, Saturday A large number of settlers to-ffay waited upon the Mayor (Mr. Somers) and agreed to supply any number of horses required for service in connection- with work at the Auckland wharves. A very large number of men from all parts of the district have volunteered for service. "" MAORIS AS "SPECIALS." OFFER FROM TE PUKE. [nr TELEGRAPH. CORRESPONDENT.] Te Puke, Saturday Strike matters are causing the greatest possible interest here. Farmers are thoroughly aroused, owing to 182 boxes of butter having to be carted back from Tauranga. The local company has been advised not to ship. Flaxnnllers have similar instructions, and intend to close down tho flaxmills immediately, owing to the shortage of coal, and there being no means of shipping fibre. At a meeting of farmers, held to-day, some 20 horsemen offered their services as special constables. A thorough canvass of tin district is to be made, and a further meeting is to be held on Monday. It is reported that 100 Maoris have offered their services, and this offer has been telegraphed to Auckland. TAURANGA COMMITTEE ACTIVE. ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. ' [by TELEPRArH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Tauranoa, Saturday. A largely-attended meeting was held here this afternoon by tire Farmer' Union to consider matters in connection with tho strike. A telegram from the secretary of tho Farmers' Union, Auckland, stated that lie required the names of men willing to work cargo and act as special constables. Tho meeting passed a resolution that it was prepared to do all in its power to kassist in any plan of action that the executive thinks fit. A committee was Set up to earn' out the wishes of the executive of tho Farmers' Union, the Police Department, or any other authorities that may be given power to suppress the present monstrous and unjust strike of the Federation of Labour, and to immediately canvass and enrol men ready to go to the front at a moment's notice. A number of men have already handed in their names. MEN FROM BUOKLAND. OFFER OF A HUNDRED. [FROM OUR OWN ■ correspondent.] Buckland, Saturday. Fifty-five members of the Buckland branch of the Farmers' Union attended a special meeting this evening to consider measures to counteract the effect of the strike on the farming ' community. Mr. J. K. Hamilton presided, and explained that the meeting and similar ones which were being l eld by other branches in the Upper Waikato were not ' to take sides against the strikers, but to organise sufficient help to deal with farming products while the strike lasted. The following resolution was unanimously carried: — I"That this meeting views with alarm the

serious aspect of the present, situation, and, endorses the action of tho Associated Farmers' Co-operative Society in endeavouring to organise sufficient help amongst tho farming community to snip its products for export; and the meeting pledges itself to render all possible assistance while the strike continues." T!n>* present'handed in their names, which, with those who had communicated promises of their services, made a total of BO who have promised to be in readiness to proceed to Auckland immediately they are required and to undertake special nolicJ duty, wharf labour, or any other duties which may be allotted to them. There will be no difficulty in assembling 100 men from; this district alone. .. Special meetings of the branches in the surround- ! ing district will be held on Monday evening, and from the enthusiasm which is being shown it is anticipated that a very large number of men will offer their services ; and will be available immediately they are required. o AN OFFER FROM RAGLAN. I . THE DISTRICT ISOLATED. [by TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Raglan, Saturday. '. Notice having been received' that the weekly steamer service is suspended owing to tho strike, dairy farmers are confronted with tho prospect of the closing down of the dairy factory, which sends its butter to Auckland by steamer weekly during the season. There is no provision for the storage of large quantities here. • A number of young men express their willingness to go to Auckland if their services would be of any use, either as wharf labourers pro tem or as special mounted constables. They: havo received training in the local mounted rifles. . HORSES AND FREE LABOUR. WHANGAREI v MEETINGS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Whang Aim, Saturday. Meetings of farmers have been held in different parts of the district, and if free labour and horses are wanted for Auckland, there will be a ready response. ENROLMENT AT WAIHI. INVITATION BY POLICE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Waihi, Saturday. Sergeant Wohlman, in charge of the Waihi police district, announces that he is prepared to take the names of suitable local men willing to act as special constables in Auckland. , The men must find their own horses, and will receive an allowance together with expenses. It is anticipated that a considerable number of men will apply, but the provision of horses may prove a stumbling block to enrplment, .as there are not many horses about Waihi. 300 MEN AVAILABLE. FARMERS' EXECUTIVE CHEERED. [by telegraph.— correspondent.] Te AwaMutu, Saturday. In responso to an appqal from the executive of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, a very large meeting of farmers and business people was held at the saleyards this afternoon, to organise and prepare to go to Auckland and help in the work of loading and unloading vessels dealing with produce. The i whole proceedings were most enthusiastic, and some 300 signed as willing to proceed to Auckland, when necessary,' with horses and equipment for special police duty or to handle inward and outward cargo. Cheers were given for the Auckland executive. Enrolling is still going on, amongst-the number being many very old war veterans. CONTINGENT FROM THAMES. READY TO COME FORWARD. fnr TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] c ' Thames, Saturday. Applications are being called for special mounted constables, and it is expected a good response will be made -in country districts i,ear Thames. Many have already enrolled, and. will proceed to Auckland as soon as the men are mobilised.