NEW FARMERS’ UNION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4406, 12 July 1901, Page 4

NEW FARMERS’ UNION.

In some quarter# the Fanners’ Union is not regarded with much confidence, for many settlers hare come to realise that it is more of a party oiganisation than one seeking first of all the material betterment of the farming community. It is now generally believed that the Farmers’ Union is but a resuscitation of the National Association, the avowed object of which was to overthrow by hook or by crook the present Liberal Administration. Where farmer# have been induced to join the union now being or” ganised by Mr Glass they have don© so willingly, but when they came to study the platform circulated among them at the close of the preliminary meeting they saw that, whatever interest the union wag to display in their welfare, it was designed to take cognisance of party politics. This has been resented, and where branches of the Farmers’ Union have been established, much difference of opinion prevails. Indeed, a split is feared, and the work already accomplished is likely to do more harm than good. The opinion of settlers in the bush districts is that a' Farmers’ Union ought to be noa-political. The majority of farmers have their own opinions about the policy of the Seddon Government; and while they do not wish to identify themselves with an organisation that is hostile to that policy, they are eager that something should be done to advance the well-being of th e agricultural community. With this object in view, the bush farmers are to meet to-morrow evening at Pahiatua, and they hav e in* vited Messrs O’Meara, Field, Hornsby, Hall, Hogg, the representatives of various neighbouring constituencies, to conifer with them upon th e policy and platform of a non-political union. It is probable that tbe Premier, who has already displayed a Gvely interest in the

progress of settlement and the aims of fanners, will also attend the meeting to hear the settlers’ views and advise them as to the course they ought to pursue. He will also lay before them what the pur* pose of the Government is with respect to attempting to improve the prospects of agriculturists.

If the design of the promoters is made effective, namely, to establish a Producers’ Union on a non-political basis, no rift in the lute is likely to arise among the farmers of diverse political opinion who may become members of such a union. The objects of a Producers’ Union being simply stated, and party political matters carefully eliminated, all farmers may readily subscribe their names as members. Wo ar e satisfied farmers’ interests have been to some extent overlooked, if not neglected, and farmers ought to be encouraged to combine to promote their material welfare and safeguard the interests of producers generally. This can be done by endeavouring (1) to improve the means of communication and access to- markets; (2) to obtain practical assistance by legislation and administration ; and (3) to gather and disseminate information of value among members. Under the second of these objects politics may be perforce introduced, but not necessarily upon party lines. We trust the meeting to-morrow evening will be well attended, and that a union on a non-political’basis will be formed. Farmers have been too long without an organisation through which they might give expression to their needs with such force as to command attention and consideration in the public life of this country.