NOT IN SYMPATHY WITH POLICY

Southland Times, Issue 23538, 18 June 1938, Page 8

NOT IN SYMPATHY WITH POLICY

LIFE MEMBER OF FARMERS’ UNION RESIGNS One of the foundation members of the Farmers’ Union in Southland and an honorary life member of the provincial executive, Mr David Marshall has recently felt that he was not in sympathy with the policy of some members of the executive and he placed his resignation in the hands of the secretary (Mr A. L. Adamson) yesterday. When the first organizer of the Farmers’ Union, a Mr Glass, visited Southland many years ago, Mr Marshall called a meeting of district farmers at Waianiwa and was elected chairman of the branch formed there, retaining that office for several years. The branch was the strongest in Southland for many years, the Wyndham branch eventually leading it. Mr Marshall has been a member of the executive continuously since its inception and he is the only living member of the able body of men who comprised the original executive under the presidency of Mr John

Macqueen. When the union inaugurated a veterinary association with Mr A. M. Paterson, M.R.C.V.S., as its officer Mr Marshall and a few others provided the bank guarantee for funds for the association’s activities, which included the maintenance of animal medicine chests in various parts of the province. Mr Marshall later succeeded Mr W. D. Hunt (now Sir William Hunt) as Southland’s representative on the Board of Agriculture and held the position for 12 years until the board was abolished. During that time he kept in close touch with the provincial executive of the union to learn the opinions of the farming community. A few years ago he was made an honorary life member of the executive and continued to attend regularly and give advice that was highly valued.