NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4290, 25 February 1901, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION

MEETING AT UPPER HUTT. A well-attended and successful meeting of farmers in the Upper Hutt district wai held at Dalton’s Hail on Saturday night. Tho meeting wan convened by Mr Thomas Burred, non. secretary of tho local branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, with a view of giving local tarnn rs an opportunity of hearing Mr A. G. 0. Glass, the organising secretary of tho union, explain ils objects and enumerate ' the advantages to the farmers- of ilio Upper Hutt district that would follow the formation of local branches mf the union. Mr H. E. Rawson was voted to die chair.

Mr Glass said Mr Burrell had been coaching some of them on the subject of the Farmers’ Union, and he the speaker) had now come among them to answer any questions they wanted to put. The trouble with tho farming class was that they would not go to meeting-c. nor even discuss the most important matters affecting their own interests among themselves. What had struck him during his travels xno.st was the want of cohesion among tho farmer./ in seeking means to protect their common interests. All classes iu New Zealand organised for the purpose of - protecting their interests except tho farmers. For tho most important class of producers in the colony it was a case of ‘’take wiwc you can get.” As every other interest, industrial and productive, was organised, the farmers had, perforce, to go to tho wall. Tho objects aimed in forming a farmers union had been carelully thohght out, and a scheme drawn up accordingly. From all parte farmers were coming iu to join them. Tho speaker dwelt on tho necessity for system in ,the combination. Each country branch must fight for itself and keen a vigilant watch ou tho interests, of farmers. But they must not forget that they would have tho Auckland Provincial Committee to back them up until tho growth and os. pan si on of the union permitted tiro estabJisluueut of a vv elliugtou Provincial Committee, In regard to tho representation and safeguarding of their interests iu Parliament, tho key to tho situation lay iu giving up party politics. They wanted men who would represent their interests in the House. Never mind the interests of parties lighting for office. They wanted a country party and more farmers in the House. The day of every man for himself had gone by. They must combine to protect their interests or go to tho wall. Their interests might be threatened seriously at any moment. They must bo prepared- for any emergency. Mr Glass then proceeded to explain tho. objects of the union as set out in the pamphlet published by the Auckland Executive Committee. The union's main object was to foster the interests of the farmers, fruitgrowers and settlers or New Zealand; to promote tbo opening up of Crown and native lauds; to improve means of communication, obtain cheap freights, watch measures affecting their interests in the House, and promote friendly personal relations among its members. He then dealt with rho platform adopted at tho first general meeting held at Auckland, in March, 1900, which lasted three days. Oucc the union was fairly organised the farmers, fruitgrowers and settlers would form an important factor in the political world, and for their, grievances, which at the present they were impotent to rigid:, there would eventually be found a remedy. The procedure henceforth to bo adopted by the farmers! in the Upper Hutt, iu the face of a wrong that wanted righting, would be for them to meet and discuss the matter and forward a motion on the subject to the Palmerston Executive Pommittee. If the question v.as not merely of a local, hut was of a national character, ’tho motion would have to be forwarded to the executive committee at Auckland, which, he pointed out, could be convened at any time, so that immediate action might be taken where necessary, as, for instance, iu checking the progress of a measure iu the House likely to affect their inteiests.; (Applause). ' The chairman said there was a vast deal: of truth in much that Mr Glass had said, and his views were well worthy of their earnest attention and consideration. (Applause). Mr George Brown cordially endorsed Mr Glass’s remarks. Tho producers were being robbed of their legitimate profits all Over tho colony through their lack of orgataisatiou for their own protection. The.middlemen were getting fat on tbo producer’s labour. Hairy farming, for instance, was hedged round with speculators. They must combine, and with a powerful organisation behind them, they would be able to hold their own. After some further discussion, twentyfive new members were enrolled, and the following officers elected to represent the Upper Hutt district, which comprises all the country from the Summit to Wellington:—Chairman, Mr James Gorrie; committee, M essrs P. Davis, J. Whiteman, J. Craig, G. Brown, E. H. Rawson, J. Cudby, T. Clifford, Backstrain, J. Downing, Benge, Tlios. Edwards, Thos. Wilkins, and G. Burrell (secretary). A vote of thanks to tho chairman closed the proceedings.