Southland Fanners’ Union

Southland Times, Issue 19478, 6 February 1905, Page 4

Southland Fanners’ Union

MYROSS BUSH BRANCH

The Myross Bush branch of the Farmers' Union held a special meeting on Friday evening, for the purpose of discussing the question of the veterinarian’s resignation. There was a fair attendance, and Mr J. McKerchar and Mr M. Leith, members of ■ the Woodlands branch, were present, as also was Mr A. M. Paterson.-

Mr P. Thomson, chairman, said that it might be as well, In opening the discussion, for him to state his views on the subject first. He thought that the Executive should re-appoint Mr Paterson as formerly, viz., as veterinarian first, and organising secretary last. In preparing Mr Paterson’s visits it should be arranged that he work along n country side, taking every centre as he went. He was of opinion that the organising work should not be done by Mr Paterson, if organising meant collecting subscriptions. He considered that Mi- Paterson was doing far better work in that direction by coming to their very doors and laying 'before them the alms and the doings of the union, as he did through his lectures on unionism which, he ventured to say, were appreciated, from one end of Southland to the other. Mr J. McKerchar thought the chairman was in error when he suggested that Mr Paterson was appointed primarily as n veterinarian. The Executive had made up their minds to appoint some person to go round the country interesting the farmers in the Farmers’ Union, Then it occurred to them, if at the same time this person could, while ho was passing, as it were, do some good in another direction, so much the better. That was exactly the consideration that led to Mr Paterson’s appointment. As a farmer, and as a membei of the Executive, he was quite satisfied that the appointment was a step in the right direction, and that it had proved a success from every point of view. Financially they might have been better off, had the farmers of Southland come forward and assisted the union as it was their duty to do. But because some men were mean enough to pluck the fruits of' other people's efforts, he did not think that *cflected discreditably on the Executive, but on those men themselves. Mr M. Leith said he joined the union ■simply for the sake of Mr Paterson’s veterinary addresses, and he was pleased to say that it had paid him to <io so. What he had learned from Mr Paterson had all been used for the benefit < f the farmers in his district. He had amended 32 mares during the foaling season, and had only two deaths. This success was duo to his being constantly in touch with Mr Paterson, whose advice .was given ungrudgingly nt all times. Other men throughout Southland were getting similar special instruction, and they were using It for the benefit of the farmers. This was a phase of the Union’s work for which neither the Executive not Mr Paterson got any credit. Mr Wilson thought that it did not matter what the Executive called Mr Paterson, he would be known to the farmer as the “ vet.-’ The Executive should allow Mr Paterson to do veterinary work, and they could easily get any useless cratur ” to collect subscriptions.; Mr It. Brown and others having spoken, Mr Paterson was asked for his advice on the matter. He said that what Mr McKerchar had stated regarding the nature of 'his appointment was perfectly correct; Farmers generally had, however, greatly magnified the veterinary service, which they expected to bo complete and free, whereas it was only intended to be incidental; If tho farmers of Southland wished a complete veterinary service they must be prepared to pay for it, for it was absolutely absurd to expect it from one man. His advice would be, that the Union do without a veterinarian for a year, and let the farmers employ a vet. when they needed one. It was doing barm to the I.mon, as n union, to allqw the veterinary seivice to take its place. If two or three men sent urgent wires for the vet., and he could not attend to all, then damage was being done to the Union.—(Ap-

plause.) The usual votes of thanks closed the