FARMERS’ UNION

Otago Witness, Issue 3556, 9 May 1922, Page 15

FARMERS’ UNION

DAIRY FARMERS SECEDING. A NEW UNION FORMING. WANGANUI, May 3. The New Zealand Farmers’ Union is having a serious rival in the field in the formation of the New Zealand Dairy Union which had its foundation in the Waikato. It has long been felt that in view of the very large number of dairymen in New Zealand there should be a separate union for those engaged in the industry particularly as it is claimed that the New Zealand Farmers’ Union devotes most of its energies towards conserving the interests of the wool and the meat men. During last week the organiser of the new dairy union has been operating along the West Coast, and a very large measure of success lias attended his efforts; so much so that members of the farmers union have Tgot “the wind up.” At the sub-province executive meeting of the latter bexiy to-day tile position was dismissed, and it was stated that it was the intention of the promoters to solicit the cooperation of dairymen in both the North and South Islands. One speaker, who resents the formation of the new union, said he tackled the organiser at one meeting. and he was informed that the old settlers were unprogressive, and were not worth a d . It was eventually decided to bring the matter up at the annual conference of the Farmers’ Union to be held at Wanganui in a couple of weeks’ time, to see if steps can be taken to counteract the influences oi the new union. It was contended that if ever there was a time for the amalgamation of farmers’ interests it was now Any disintegration would be fatal to the cause of the producers.