THE SHEEP-OWNERS’ AND FARMERS’ FEDERATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 14

THE SHEEP-OWNERS’ AND FARMERS’ FEDERATION.

The 20 years’ regime of the SeddonWard combination has so confirmed the habit of running to the Government for every little thing wanted that many farmers now follow the lead of the men and seem to be under the impression that agriculture can he spoonfed and retain its virility-. There are undoubtedly- agricultural problems which can only be dealt with adequately by the Government, and the relationship of great parties in political life towards agriculture is necessarily of vital interest to those engaged in the industry-. But “the Lord helps, those who help themselves,” or, as the ancient Athenian has it, “Heaven never helps the man that will not act;” This old saying expresses precisely the attitude of many flock-owners towards the Sheep-owners’ Union at the present time. They will not act_ in such a way as to assist this organisation to make its federated representatives such a power in the land as they might be. The objects of the federation are to protect the interests of members in industrial matters, including the amicable settlement of labour disputes between members and their employees, to consider all matters of interest to sheep-farmers, and, where necessary, to take joint action in respect to legislation affecting members. Such questions as those of improved tenures of the runs, the payment of adequate compensation for improvements to outgoing tenants, and others have been dealt with, but no matter of interest affecting the industry is either too small or too great to engage its closest attention. The federation represents the various sheep-owners’ unions before the Arbitration Court in such matters as those dealing with shearing, shed hands, musterers, etc., and is also prepared to take up the interests i f other rural workers. As the president of the local union said in Maylast, “Now that the sheep-owners have been brought under the awards of the Arbitration Court it seems that they must he prepared to he kept continually in hot water by the labour unions—and notwithstanding the most liberal terms of the last award, the Shearing Union is again in the field with ever-increasing demands.” An award has been made since that was written, but the fact remains that year byyear fresh demands are sure to be made. In order to safeguard their rights and privileges it seems advisable that employers should organise at once and support their unions with some spirit until unanimity of policy and action is secured and any demands made pursued to their ultimate concession. Until this is done, the superior organisation of the labour unions will succeed in carrying the day. The North Island unions are supporting the federation financially very much better than the Otago Union, and, considering the demands made on the federation and the t-ood work it is doing in the interests of sheep-owners generally, this is not a creditable position for the southern district. It is to be hoped that the visit of the secretary, Mr Lahalt, to the various shows in the south will induce many-sheep-owners to countenance and support their Union and induce them to place funds in the possession of men prepared to make good use of them. The response in Canterbury- also to any demands made by the union for funds compares more than favourably with that of Otago. In Canterbury province the work of the union receives practical acknowledgment from country- residents. In this district the reproach of the president of the local union that “the membership is far short of what it ought to he considering the number of sheep-owners in Otago and Southland,” should not be permitted to endure for another day-. There should be no need of interviews to convince any- flock-owner that self-defence is necessary-. In these deplorable times of strikes, if they cannot see the need for spontaneous action in supporting their union, nothing that can

be written will have any effect. It is to be hoped that every owner of sheep or his agent or manager in this district will become members of the union by sending their names in to the secretary and forwarding the subscriptions. Flock-owners and farmers need not be reminded that they cannot pass on any increased cost of production, but have to pay the whole of it themselves. In this respect their position is almost unique, and demands effective combination more than any other class of business. They not only pay the increased cost of production in their own business, but a good slice of any concessions made to labour in other businesses.