LACK OF INTEREST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19891, 20 March 1939, Page 3

LACK OF INTEREST

FARMERS' UNION AFFAIRS APATHY IN WAIROA STRONG CONDEMNATION PR ESID ENT OUTSPOK E S (Special to the llernltl.) 1 WAIROA, this day. Condemnation of the attitude of the farmers in the Wairoa district tovvaro the Farmers' Union and the lack oi interest taken in the affairs of the union was voiced at the annual meeting of the Wairoa branch on Saturday afternoon. According to the president, Mr. A. T. Carroll, there were something like a thousand farmers in the district, while the financial membership of the union was only 108. This, in his opinion was disgraceful. The attendance at the meeting was very poor and it was this fact, which prompted the president and other members to express dissatisfaction with the apparent apathy of the farmers, who, it was stated had themselves to blame if they were being left behind' by the highly organised industrial unions, In moving the adoption of the annual report, already published, Mr. Carroll laid stress on the need for farmers to support the union, the apparent lack of interest being displayed by them being described by him as a crying shame. The Farmers Union, he stated, was frequently lodging all sorts of complaints about the activities of other organisations, but the farmers had only themselves to blame if those organisations were getting well ahead of them. "Sheer Carelessness" Referring to the small attendance Mr. Carroll said that surely the farmers could spare one afternoon and come along and discuss their own affairs instead of walking up anci down the street or spending the afternoon in the clubs. The time had come when they should support the union for their own good. There were 108 financial members in the branch and he did not suppose the average attendance at the monthly meetings was more than eight. He described that as just sheer carelessness "We should take steps to try and overcome that weakness," continued Mr. Carroll. "Their duty is to come along and pay some attention to their own affairs. There are at least a thousand farmers in the district, and yet we only have a membership of 108. It is absolutely disgraceful, and I am not prepared to misrepresent the position by saying otherwise. It is up to the farmers to attend to their own affairs through this organisation. Surely it is not out of the way to expect at least 300 members of this union. Mr. T. leC. Powdrell: It is the same all over New Zealand. Mr. G. D. Tod: It is not the fault of the union; its just the carelessness of the farmers. Mr. Carroll: It does seem to be sheer tack of interest and also carelessness. Mr. Powdrell: And a lack of responsibility. Rating Question Speaking of the" value of the union. Mr. Carroll stressed the need for watching the rating question. lie had taken up the question of the hospital rate on behalf of the farmers, and had been able to show that the hospital rate had increased by 200 per cent since 1933. The secretary of the Wairoa Hospital Board had told the Wairoa County Council that the rate would ge- up'a further 50 per cent this year, which did not include the capital levy, which meant that the hospital rate this year would be abou: a penny. The question which the farmers had to decide, pointed out Mr. Carroll, was what they were going to support —the hospital rate or forgo the metal on their backblock roads, bridges and other improvements. They could not burn the candle at both ends. In seconding the motion to ad op: the report, Mr. Tod congratulated the president on the stand he had taken. It seemed to him that the position had got to that stage where they should seriously consider compulsory unionism for farmers. Several methods had been tried, but they had all broken down, mainly through the apathy of the farmers. Referring to rates, Mr. Tod said all woulel agree that they were out o' all proportion to what the farmers expected. It looked as if the metal ling of the roads would have to be held over until the difficulties so far as the hospital were concerned wen' over. President Congratulated Mr. P. J. O'Kane congratulated the president on the manner in which he had represented the farmers' interests during the past year. Referring to the small attendances at meetings, he said the same diffculty always had been experienced. The fact that they were not present in large numbei.-. indicated. perhaps, that they were satisfied the president was doing his job well. "I can quite understand that you feel a little sore over the lack of support; it is a complaint that is com mon to the farming community throughout New Zealand," said Mr. Powdrell, in paying a tribeitc to the work of the president. "We know you have put up a good fight with very little backing, but I feel sure that what you have said to-day will help to bring the farmers to a state when they will begin to realise their responsibilities." Mr. V. E. Ramlose also supported the remarks that had been made concerning the lack of interest taken by the farmers. In his opinion, one of the worst features of the position was that there was a number of farmers in a big way whose names were not included in the membership of the union. And yet, they were the ones who were getting the greatest benefit from what the union was doing. Mr. H. B. Taylor also stated that it was very disheartening to the union when there were such small attendances, but he hoped the president would carry on with his good work. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr. A. T. Can-oil; vicepresidents, Messrs. 11. B. Taylor, T. W. G. Tombleson, and T. JeC. Powdrell; committee, Messrs. G. D. Tod, P. J. O'Kane, A. R. Young, O. G. Birreli, 11. M. B. dcLautour, A. B. Taylor, -H. L. Taylor, F. Harrison, D. McKenzie and V. E. Ramlose. Tributes were paid to the secretary, Mr. D. 11. Withers, for his work during the year, and a vote of thanks was carried.