FARMERS' UNION.

Colonist, Volume XLVI, Issue 10917, 7 January 1904, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

The Waimea West branch held its monhly meeting on Monday, December 14th. Harbor matters were again discussed, also the late deershooting case, after which it was resolved to support the resolution of the Wakapuaka branch on the sub-, ject. A paper written and read by Mr Ivo Tunnicliff, of Wai-iti, is appended-:— •♦ln writing of the Farmers' Union and its possibilities, I feel that I cannot do that justice to the subject the occasion demands, but, on the other hand, if by writing I can do the Union the smallest amount of good, I shall feel that lam amply repaid for the trouble. The New Zealand Farmers' Union is an institution that is likely to be of immense benefit to the farming community in the future, and that future is entirely in the hands of the farmers themselves to make or to mar, as tbe case may be, and in my opinion it behoves every farmer who is not already a member to at once become one, as in this, as in all other things, numbers | mean 7 strength, and strength means influence. It is an established fact that the Union has come to stay, as evidened by the strides made since it was first organised a comparatively short time ago, and taking into consideration the amount of opposition it has met with from various sources — notably from the Government, and also from a section of the press of the Colony, IJut we are proud to say

all that has been changed, chiefly Because the platform of the Union svas found to be practically unassailible, being' strictly of no political jolor, and composed entirely of farmers, and therefore ratepayers, who biad a perfect right to manage their 3wn affairs in their. oVfh way; which" the Union has proved it is well able to do. Id my opinion there was nothing else for the farmers to do but to unite to protect their own interests, and the interests of those to some after them, seeing that each trade and calling has been forming a Union for the mutual protection of Its members, and what more natural and necessary than for the farmers, the backbone of; the country, to gee, that their interests were .protected: Subsequent events have proved that the farmers united can make their influence felt, whereas farmers individually were abaolutey powerless. We were told at the outset that this Union was only an offshoot of that association known as the 'National \ss.,' that it was a company of landgrabbers and monopolists, and that the organisation was simply ridiculous, and would soon fall to pieces. But what do we see to-day? There are branches of the Union all over the Colony, from North Cape fco the Bluff, the press have recognised in us a power for good so long as we continue on the Fines laid down in our platform. The Government also have changed their attitude towards us — in place of viewing the Union with a good deal of suspicion, they actually asK our opinions on certain legislation before bringing it before Parliament, as in the case of the Stud Bill, a copy of which was sent to every branch in the Colony to be reported on. I venture to say that that would never have been done for the individual farmer. £1 should like to ask, does any farmer living believe .that Mr Kirkbride's Mutual Fire Insurance Bill would. have gone through Parliajment, or even been thought of, if there had been no Union of farmers? There are many other points favorable to this organisation which could be brought out if time permitted. There is not the least doubt that we have a great future before us, as, ii we use our opportunities aright, and by working for the interests of the Union, we shall be working for oui own interests. I wish to impress or the members the necessity of doing their utmost to keep the Union tc the front. Another matter I wish tc say a word about is the Farmers' CoOperative Distributing Company, which is an offshoot of the Union* and which should prove a great boor to producers of all descriptions oi farm produce. The Company are it a position to do a great deal in th( way. of helping farmers to dispose ol their surplus produce, and, if pro perly supported by the shareholders and others, will do so. The Company are fortunate in having t capable manager and a very energetic secretary, whose interests art wrapped up in the business to suet an extent that -they have all to lost and nothing to gain by any negleci or 'failure on their part, and the] are, whttleve* is said to the contrary) wifcfcou* doubt dfting a really gooc busines*. In reading of the doings of the Union in other parts of th( Colony, I cannot help feeling thai we, in Nelson, are a little bit behinc the times in a good many respects. A good many of the branches dowr South have a qualified veterinary surgeon at the disposal of the members of course ; they make a levy or themselves to pay the salary of sucr an officer, which only amounts to i small sum annually ; they also have ready remedy medicine chests placec with branch secretaries, or at othei convenient places for cases of emer gency — a great boon to pastoralistp. The farmers in the Nelson distria have been moving in something th< same direction to get the services o: a veterinary surgeon through th< Stock Department. To my mine they have not gone the right way t( work. I understand Richmond is the only branch that has had thi matter before it, and that som< months ago. I contend that a mat ter of so much importance to th< province should have been circulatec throughout the whole of the branchei for their endorsement, and then tc the Provincial Executive for them t< deal with, and forward to the prope authorities. As it is, a lot of valu able time has been lost. Before con eluding this paper, I should like t< say, and I believe I shall be express ing the sentiments of every membe of the Farmers' Union throughou New Zealand, that we, as farmers owe an everlasting debt of gratitudi tp;Mr Glass for the yeoman service performed by him in organising thi great scheme, and I feel sure tha the best way in which we can shov ourappreciation of his work is to di our utmost in furthering the interes of the Union generally."