FARMERS' PRODUCE UNION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1651, 21 October 1903, Page 61

FARMERS' PRODUCE UNION.

Mr Even McGregor, of Huntsrvilie, one of the moving spirits in the recently formed Producers’ Union in the Rangitikei district, has given the first public utterance on the movement. This was at a Farmers’ Union meeting at Manga we k a recently. After referring to some slight initial difficulties in overcoming certain drawbacks, it had been decided, said Mr McGregor, to accept the rules as amended and go ahead. Within a, few days the company would be registered. Then Mr Wilson (President of th© Union) and the speaker intended to systematically canvass the farming communities of Rangitikei, Wanganui, Taranaki, etc. The provisional directors numbered seven, and were chosen from all parts of the district mentioned. The object in forming the Producers’ Union was to gain the co-operation of farmers. By this means they would have considerable power in securing a fair marketable price for their stock and produce}. At present the individual farmer was at the mercy of the buyers who represented meat companies. By union they could fix their own prices. It was well known that at the present time thd farmer had little say in the disposal of his stock. The buyer came along and offered a price, which lie- had either to accept or try to make better terms at headquarters. This invariably meant that the fa.rin.eir was forced to accept their terms or go elsewhere. But,said Mr McGregor, by being united they have a lever, not as an individual with a score or two of siieeep, but with a union embracing the ownership of some tens of thousands of sheep. The speaker had recently paid a visit to the South Island., aind gave an illustration of the advantages of oogopesration cm the lines advocated by the Producers’ Union. The' fr-

mens in the Bouth were dissatisfied 1 at that high rates changed for freight by th«i shipping companies. Being united, preS& sure was brought to baar, with the result that an allowance equal to Is per sheep was agreed upon. Meetings are shortly to be held by Mr McGregor and other direct? tons of the Producers’ Union, and they will probably take place under the aufic* pices of lie different branches cf this Farmers’ Union.