FARMERS’ UNION

Southland Times, Issue 22009, 8 May 1933, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION

GORE SUB-EXECUTIVE. ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual meeting of the Gore Sub-Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union on Saturday there were present Messrs Henry Smith (president, in the chair), Peter Arnott (provincial) president), D. Dickie, F. Walker, J. A. Johnston, W. G. Mac Kay, J. Stewart, J. Howden, J. Turner, A. R. Johnston. The president extended a welcome to Messrs Arnott and Niederer and new delegates to the meeting. He then referred to the decision of the Gore people to retain. Wednesday halfholiday. There had been no active propaganda from the country people against a change to Saturday, but the country residents in general preferred Saturday as a market day and he thought that the people of Gore were to be complimented on their decision. Chairman’s Annual Report.

“It is my duty and privilege as retiring president of this executive to comment on the position of the primary producer and the work of our organization —the New Zealand Farmers’ Union,” said Mr Smith in presenting his annual report. “In many respects the past season has been a remarkable one in our province. The production has been exceptionally heavy and, 1 believe, above the average in quality and there is reason to believe that when the final returns are available it will reveal a wonderful effect on the part of the primary producer and another proof of the wonderful fertility of Southland. While the farmer may be freely criticized in some quarters it must be admitted that he is doing his job fairly, well although considerably hampered through want of capital. We are now into the fourth year of the slump and you will agree with me when I say that the average prices for our products are now at the lowest level in that period. Such being the case I am convinced that it is impossible for the great majority of farmers to meet their commitments, but I am certain that talk of repudiation of liability and attacks on financial. institutions will get us nowhere. These institutions have done wonders in keeping this country together, and although one hears of cases of hardship inflicted by some of them, I think they have done their utmost to keep men on the land. The time has come for us to face this position squarely and not deceive ourselves that the farmer is going to pull through without a lightening of his interest burden. He will go and he will bring the whole country down with him.

“With regard to the business of our sub-executive, the year commenced with a special organizing campaign. Meetings were held of all the branches, members of the provincial executive co-operating with the Women’s Division in this effort to retain the loyal support of members. The question of the transport regulations as it affected rural mail contractors was a matter which engaged our attention, and on representations being made to the department the matter was settled satisfactorily to those concerned. The problem of the proposed cancellation of branch railway lines is one of vital importance to the farming community and this matter engaged our attention during the year. It is imperative that if the farmer desires to retain the services of the branch railway lines their whole-hearted support must bo given in return for a reasonable service.

“In November of last year at the request of the Gore Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Chamber of Commerce and the Sub-Executive, Mr David Jones (chairman) and Mr James Begg (member), of the Meat Board, paid a visit to Gore and addressed a large meeting of farmers and other’s interested ip the meat trade. It is worthy of note that Mr Jones is on his way to London at the present time to negotiate a new contract with the shipping companies for the transport of our meat overseas. Through representations made by the Farmers’Union and the Meat Producers’ Board to the Railway Department a reduction of 15 per cent, in railway freights on stock was obtained. It is evident on. all sides that in the coming year an active campaign must be launched in the reduction of costs and it is only by your loyal support that this can be effectively carried out.” (Applause.) Tire report was adopted. Provincial President's Remarks. Mr Arnott expressed his appreciation of the invitation extended to him to be present. The Southland province was vei’y well organized by the Farmers’ Union and in every centre of any importance a branch was well established. Keen interest had been shown in the annual meetings of branches which he had attended recently. The union was now well organized and was in an excellent position to press any of its objectives. The New Zealand Crown Tenants’ Association had been established in Southland during the past year with the flourish of trumpets, but it had not affected the membership of. the union and he ventured to say that the association had nearly • run its course. Personally, he did not think that such an organization was necessary as the Farmers’ Union was well organized to do all that was required. Mr Arnott then referred to the 'size of monthly provincial executive meetings and said that with an attendance in the vicinity of 35 members the meetings were somewhat unwieldy. While he was inclined to think that the business could be more efficienfly done by the elected executive without the presence of branch delegates, he would not be prepared to recommend the exclusion of delegates as he had found that delegates looked forward to their branch representation being the stepping stone to election to the executive. He had derived a great deal of information and pleasure from visiting the branch meetings. The chairman said that he had interested himself in the question of representation at executive meetings, but he also would not like to move in the direction of altering the position. Mr D. Dickie reported at length on the recent meeting of the Dominion Executive. He said that a considerable amount of time had been occupied in discussing the Ottawa agreements and tariff revisions. Preparation had been made for discussing the whole aspect of the matter, but it was agreed that the agreements provided only for details of the tariffs to be considered and not the principles involved. Mr Dickie said that he understood that the personnel of the New Zealand commission had been selected, but would not be announced until Cabinet approval had been obtained. One speaker at the conference had summed up the matter very aptly when he said that the tariffs would not be decided on the principles, but by the pressure of conflicting interests. Numerous other matters of importance had been discussed, three Southland remits affecting the financial positions of the farmers being referred to a special committee recently set up by the Dominion president (Mr W. J. Polson, M.P.). A vote of thanks was passed to Messrs Arnott and Dickie. Mr Niederer outlined his work as organizer during the past year and said that he would be very pleased to assist branches in any way. He would be pleased to attend the annual meetings of branches. He would present a comprehensive report of the organization work during the past year. Before calling for nominations for the various officers, the president thanked members for their co-opera-tion during the past year and the

Press for publicity given to the activities of the executive. Election of Officers. Office-bearers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: President, Mr Henry Smith; vice-presiednt, Mr J. A. Johnston; committee, Messrs J. Howden, J. Stewart and R. L. Byars; delegates to the provincial conference, Messrs J. Stewart and J. A. Johnston. Monthly Meeting. The monthly meeting of the SubExecutive was then held, the same members attending. The president and vice-president were asked to communicate with the Gore Chamber of Commerce concerning railway tariff with a view to cooperating with the Chamber in any action it might take.