N.-Z. Farmers' Union

Southland Times, Issue 19138, 31 August 1903, Page 4

N.-Z. Farmers' Union

, _ MEETING OF SOUTHLAND EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the above was held on Saturday. Present: Messrs McQueen, president, in the chair, Purvis (Piikerau), GUcliriSt (Waj kak a- Vnlleyi. Milne yndnani). Tern pie ton (Thornbury), McKinnon (Opio), Middloton < l-'ort rose). Marshall (Waiauiwu), llcKi-rclier (Woodlands), Finlayson (Makarf-ua.i. ami McColl (Mataura Island;. THE COLONIAL COM KKKNCK. The Chairman said that since they had last met, the Coldnial Conference had been held in Wellington, and he was glad to say that nearly every proposal put iorward by the Southland branch had been carried. Some of them, were identical with others submitted by other districts, but all, or nearly all, had been approved. The proceedings of the Conference had been fully reported in the press, and therefore he need not go minutely into details. All the matters brought forward were carefully discussed, aa was right, considering that they i,ot only affected farmers immediately but. the whole colony. The president conducted the proceedings in a very ul.-U---manner, and the success of the Confcrenco was largely due io his management. Every delegate seemed to take an intelligent view of every subject brought up, and there seemed a general desire to defer to the opinions of others. TN>v were willing to give and take, without losing their own individuality. The failmanner in which the subjects wore discussed had a good effect in t-nabling them to approach Parliament and the public. They realised that if any section of "the public endeavoured to pain an advantage at the expense of the rest. it was bound to create opposition, and rightly so. This moderation tended largely to the success of the Conference Previously there had been a tendency to sneer at. the Union by a certain section of the press and politicians. They hod created an impression that the farmers would not combine, and had no cohesion. Perhaps ..past events justified that opinion, but when they saw that they had combined they changed their tune. The Union had shown that farmers had not combined to show themselves political partisans. They were simply trying to defend themselves against a general attack. The tactics Of their opponent •* then changed, and they saw after that no reference to the 'National A«n . because it had been shown Unit the Union was not the National Association resuscitated. The attendance -it 1 lie Conference xxzzci 2-t*s ssu fc>s«s<T*j*.n * j.otjoii liii.J a considerable plToct. sind lie biMii'vpri it affected even the last geuoral clcrtion. At any rate those elected seemed to show an inclination to favour farmers more, and it had tended to hinder the " progressive " legislation that would have gone on "until something serious happened. In addition to arresting the political " spree " that was being indulged in, tho Conference had an educational effect on farmers themselves. as naturally followed when views were exchanged. This -would be a great. l>piic(:t to formers and the country- They were fairly well received by the Premier and the Minister of Railways. if the Union's views were not absolutely adopted, they had at any rate stopped mischievous legislation. He wns afraid that the Government measure before Parliament would interfere with the ptogress of Mr Kirkbride's Mutual Irsurance Bill, though many members were in favour of it. His colleague and himself received many congratulations on Southland taking such an active part in the organisation, and on the vigour <>f the movement here, and also on the success which, had been achieved. Imitation was the sincerest form of flattory. and their action had been copied clsiwhere. Taranaki and other districts had several matters in hand following m Southland's footsteps. The expense w^s no doubt the great difficulty, hut if farmers took the proper view that was nothing compared with the advantage i<> be gained. -We were looked upon as rich farmers down here. He had deprecated this, but said they expected to become richer, and that was why they look the steps they did. He considered the last Conference quite as successful I on the whole as the previous one. With respect to a colonial organisation. he was Xifraid the .proposal would not succeed. One man cannot do much good, aud they must not only get but maintain influence. An organiser might have trroat 1.1---tractive power, but not the power to maintain cohesion. However, the Conference had resolved to try the experiment, and he ■ hoped it would succeed . The organiser was a very energetic, man and would do a lot of good. Mr McQueen resumed his seat amid loud applause. Mr Milne said the Conference was a great success. It was composed rf num of all classes, and of different shades of Opinion in politics. A great deal of useful work was (tot through. vhich would he of great benefit to farmers. Southland * came out very creditably indeed. It was looked up to for its organisation. But they could do. si ill Better by inducing the farmers to stick together. Many questions were coming «p. such as the labour and land question and they should encourage farmers to bind themselves together, for some great eruption in labour matters would -come Jbefore lons, whether they liked it or not- He had beeii both j«tutified and instructed at the Conference. The President, Mr Wilson, was a man of great tact and ability, and the only feature rfor regret was his intention to retire after this year. Amid various interests and classes he did tho work of the Conference in an unequalled way. The Union was going to have great weight in the community and upon the Government. He thought they should try ;to grasp leading questions n?ther than cram themselves with local mat- 1 ters altogether. One saw that at a colonial conference. Mr McKercher had great r!«as,nre in moving- a u v6te of. hearty approval <:£ t)io action of the delegates to the Co.'orial Vpivference. The approval would extend not only to their actions but to the lucid way in which they had explained the matters which had come before it — Mr Teinpleton seconded the motion. which was carried "by acclamation. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. A large mass of correspondence was dealt with. Such of it us was not merely routine, was not dsalt with by the meeting and was remitted to branches for their opinion. TJie Feilding branch asked for iuforjmalion as to the cost, etc., of obtaining a veterinary surgeon. J. Reid, Riversdale. notified the resuscitation of the Union there, a. id asked ior the assistance of Mr I'uteraon at a meeting. The Mataura Island brunch suj-fM.Med that mutual insurance of s ock in:' established, tenders to be called Iti the insurance covering a district. The President of the Colonial KxecLtive wrote asking the secretary jo .sond a telegram weekly on Thursday night to the Farmers' Advocate, Morton, ratifying the state of trade. The Hedgehopa .branch notified thp pussing of resolutions approving of the Stud Bill, and . endorsing the action of the Southland County Council iv tcking into consideration the necessity of compelling non-ratepayers using the roads to pay fees or take out licenses as the case may be. The Taranaki Executive asked for information regarding the initial appointment of the veterinary surgeon. The Waianiwa branch notified that the following resolution had been passed :— That in the opinion of this meeting a record should be kept of the voting by members of Parliament on all matters affecting the interests of farmers, mid that the Colonial Executive be requested tp instruct their secretary to keep such record. The Fortrose branch forwarded copy <»f resolution desiring that clause 4 of tho Stud Bill be deleted, as the branch considered that all stallionH should I.c placed on the same footing, and , uot allotted to travel unless they have a certificate that they are free from disease. The Riversdale branch enclosed cheque lor £G 6s, being last year's levy of 3s each on 42 members. GENEUAL. Heddon Bush branch suggested thai the Union supplement the A. and I.: Society's prize for motors.— Remitted to; branches. : . The Waianiwa branch's suggestion that a record should be kept of the voting of members of Parliament on all questions affecting farmers, and that the Colonial Executive should compile the iist, Was received. The Mataura branch suggested that tbt» science lectures be printed in pamphlet or book form-— Sir Uilchrist moved that, the branch be informed ' that the Executive sees ho advantage in' the- step. 1 Much of the lectures ;coosisted of demonstrations,' which would be of no advantage to those not present.r--Mr McColl seconded the motion," and ; it wa.s- carried. ' ; , -. ~ - ' '.. A circular was received from the President of the Colonial Executive, asking that all branches in the colony- should send a telegram to the Premier asking him to facilitate the passing of Mr Kirkbride's Insurance Bill-— Agreed to ., ■■. . The Mataura Island branch suggested that the Government be asked to make the telephone charge 6d, of distance. — The Chairman the mat^ ter had come up at the Colonial Cpnforenco, and the opinion seemed to be that they were very well served at present. — Mr McColl thought the Executive should go straight -to tho Goverumejit. He would move that the attention of tho Minister be drawn to the present charges which were Is for three minutes' outside "a radius of 25 miles, and another shilling for the next three' minute*:.— Mr Middleton pointed out that the three minutes • often expired before the • person who was ■'■ wanted' could bo found, and .this' .necessitated, another charge.— After a discussion tho motion was made to read, . and carried,; tbtt.t;'a deputation should wait upon the -Minister on the subject . when convenient, such deputation to consist of the secretary, the chairman/ and Messrs Middleton and Uilchrist. - - ■•". . . . TJEEB VET. A3sp, DEFAULTERS. Mr Gilchrist mov&i, '.'according to notice, the cancellation of the rule which prevented any but, metabers iv good financial standing for one mctnth from .obtaining the services of the^ veterinary surgeon. He said, as branch secretary, he found tho' rule- a "great hindrance to ......obtaining new member?; . He . instanced a. case where a_ farmer,-!' asked Mr Fatersou to look at his hoTEe; He "paid the 10s and became, a -member/ That was the way..- to get members; and secretaries were compelled', to':«ibpt H.-^OUCr Middleton- pointed- oofc;' that-, '-the rule was not intended to -lorm a -"close corporation. A great number were not prepared to pay until they- had A rick horse. H» thought -.. thsy would probebly lose" niore than thoy would £ai» by resciu^iog the rule, froaa

the .trouble they would have in collecting subscriptions. There were aUo many who had contributed to the. guarantee fund, and they should be consulted.— Mr McColl regretted having to oppose Mr Gilchrist'a motion, aa he tenew he carefully thought out anything he proposed. But his arguments were really in-. favour of keeping the rule on tho books. They j must consider on what side the greatest benefit lay. — Mr Milne thought if they rescinded the motion they v?ould do r>.o good for themselves. A; man with a sick horse who was not a member deserved ! all he got. They wanted men to. join the Union in a union spirit. They had no right to play into the hands of a man j who merely ■wished to join because be had a sick horse. If he had no sick horse he would probably not join at all. Mr McKinnon suggested that those who were already members should not be charged.— Mr t McKerchar considered camcelling the rule would, be .giving .countenance to a most contemptible action. Such members were no good to the Union, which was conceived on broad grounds. — The Chairman said it was not pleasant to hear such a chara-cter attributed to farmers. (Laughter.) Farmers were liko tho rest of the community— no better and no worse. He thought they should try to raise a sense of honour. If they wanted to improve a man of low morality they should treat him generously. If they did not. then they descemie<l to his level. They ought to use every means — guile, if necessary — to get them into the I'nion, and then make men of them. If the rule kept men out. they should sneep it away. Though he had moved the adoption of the new rule, he would n->w advocate that it bo expunged.— <Mr Paterson (tho veterinary surgeon) being prrsent, was tusked for his opinion. He ueprccated drastic measures. The brunch secretaries should know best. He Had known men who condemned the Union because of the existence of the rule, saying that it was of a spiteful character, a ntl caused others to leave. He also knew of some who had joined on the understanding that the rule would be .e---sciivded. Farmers were not so selfish as they were represented to be, and did not wait to join until they ha>fl sick' animals. It was not always convenient to pay the subscription when • it was demanded. Sometimes they put 1 oft' paying till a convenient season, but they always pai«i all the same— The motion was then put and lost on a division by one vote. DETAIL WORK. Mr Gilchrist moved that branch sec rein ries lie requested to collect and foiv ward all subscriptions before the end of October. He submitted a form of circular, and moved that it be printed and distributed t«-. Wi-o-rtche.Q. .Mr Midtlleton Kooondod tho motion, which was carried. Mr Gilchrist also moved that branch secretaries compile alphabetical lists of menfbers good on the book*, also similar iists of guarantors, and forward same before the end of October — Submitted to a committee, consisting of the chairman, secretary. Air Middleton and the mover. THE VET'S. ITINERARY. The secretary submitted a proof of Mr Paterson's itinerary for the ensuing two months —After a short discussion as to the method of distributing; the-Se, also i he jjatnphlet b - the colonial president, \\ was decided to forward same to branch secretaries. SCIENCE LECTURES. The secretary reported that the attendance at the Science Lectares was poon at iaivercargill, slightly better at Gore, hut on the whole it was not &t all like what wivi expected. — Mr Gilchrast thought <hp Kxoeutivis partly to blame.. They had not permitted the press to publish full reports, and consequently the leetur*\s were not popularised. Some one should be appointed to sell tickets. — The Chairman thought perhaps better arrangements might be made next season, l-'ven as at present the lectures were, worth the cost. He had been at the horse saleyards, and saw great crowds of young- men. and had asked them if i hey were going to the lectures, and the reply was that they knew nothing about them. It was a little disheartening to | s,-e men standing about gossiping who might have been at the lectures. Probably they would make better arrangements in future. The suggestion to popularise the lectures through the Press was a good one— Mr McColl thought the diflicidty arose about the- dates. Farmers came into town ou market days for other purposes than to hear lectures. Resides this, he knew that young farmers would rather discuss horses than hear all the Hilgendorfs and Patersous in the world. (Laughter.) Saturday was not a suitable day, it being market day. THANKS TO TI-TK PRESS. Mr Gilchrist moved that a hearty vote of thanks be given to the Press for the manner in which it had supp/otrted the Union. He referred specially to the Southland Times. It : was found that by the Press representations people began to treat the Union with more respect. He hiul known meu who wore antagonistic who had been induced to b/elieve tltey. had been mistaken when they saw the persistent way in which Union matters were commented upon and commended. — Mr Middleton seconded th© motion in a few complimentary words— The Chairman said that at the Conference many proprietors applied to have their journals nMide the Gazette of the Union. Tie was opposed to that, b<ecauso no single l paper in the colony could fulfil the purpose, Tho local papers could do that best. Though the Conference did not agree with him, he thought so still- He had no hesitation in saying that some papers could be named who had done yeoman service to the Union. He referred to the Southland Times, and they might seriously consider whether they would adopt an official gazette for th» Farmers' Cnion.r— The motion was carried enthusiastically. The Executive then went into Committee.