FARMERS' UNION YEAR

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1935, Page 17 (Supplement)

FARMERS' UNION YEAR

review by president hopes and disappointments. CLAIMS OF. FARMING COMMUNITY. In looking backward over the past year’s work he thought the North Taranaki executive, could claim to be a very live part of the organisation, said Mr. H. E. Blyde in his presidential address to the North Taranaki conference of the Farmers’ Union at Inglewood yesterday. Many branches, with possibly a few exceptions, were all functioning well, and the executive meetings were well attended. The tone of.-the discussions at the executive meetings was high and showed, too, that the representatives of the branches were men who had a real grasp of the matters dealt with and generally brought sound . judgment to bear upon them. There were few matters indeed of any moment to farmers that were not given the required attention by the executive, and the executive claimed to more than justify its existence. ■ “It is also pleasing to note,” continued Mr; Blyde, “that although farmers are pressed for funds'to an extent perhaps not previously - experienced, and that some - farmers, have• pressure brought _to bear upon them by their creditors in the direction of ceasing to pay their subscription, resignations are not heavy. In fact we can congratulate ourselves on the manner in which the membership has been retained under these circumstances. It is to-my mind a pleasing reflection upon the value of the organisa“"Reviewing the work of the union generally one cannot escape from the impression that the union, has become a Vital part of the economic life of the primary producer. - Everything, that in any way affects the farmer or his family automatically becomes a matter of interest to' the union, and during'the year the work of the organisation has been of such' a nature that for years to come farmers will be receiving some benefit thereby. , “This does not mean that we are satisfied with the results of our labours, but we can be, assured that our work has resulted in some attempt being made to meet the extraordinary position that farmers found themselves in in this unprecedented era. To toy mind there are two avenues of escape from our- difficulties. They are increased prices and decreased costs. , QUESTION OF QUALITY. “Regarding the. first, there does not seem to be any hope of much being done in New Zealand towards increasing the price we receive for our products in. England or elsewhere. The only point,. I think, which deserves oiir attention in this respect, as something which, we can do for oiirselves, is that of quality. Our exports are generally considered, as of a high quality, but it. is' possible in my opinion for us to so improve the quality that we could command'first place‘on the markets of the world with nearly ;all our exports, and so. with proper marketing to command top price also. . “Apart from this aspect the only , way in whibh we can increase our returns by way of prices is.by finding new markets or by making trade agreements of some sort with other countries. I feel hopeful that the world j generally • will soon realise the folly of the intense economic nationalism that, is Iso rife to-day.' This policy must result, in my opinion,, m further depression. In fact the depression we . are;■ suffering to-day is a result of this policy of nationalism. Once countries begin the process of- materially, lowering barriers to international trade, New Zealand in particular, along with other , countries, can look forward with hope for definite, prosperity. - “Regarding the second avenue .of escape, that of reducing costs, it seems that it is only sane to suggest that this is the method we should at once adopt to meet the position, but the difficulties in the way of carrying out this / policy appear to be almost insurmountable. No progress can be made in this direction without the co-operation of all sections of the community. .In connection with this I must say that I am disappointed in the manner in which anything that is proposed by us in the interests of the country as a whole towards reducing our costs is instantly opposed by some other section of the community. Nearly everybody seems to-day to take the short view rather than the long view in connection- with these matters, and our friends in the towns do not seem to realise that nearly anything that could be done to help the primary producer must eventually help them also. HOPES AND DISAPPOINTMENTS. . \ “One could describe this past year as one of many hopes, many fears and many disappointments. The farmers hoped that some means would be devised of affording, in the near future, definite relief from the huge burden of debt they, are carrying and be left with at least some small asset, and I suppose many farmers have' been full of fears that- they were going to lose all the money they had put; into their farming operations, together with years of hard work. I suppose, too, that mdny farmers are disappointed with any measures that have been brought; down to deal with the position. However, it is now possible for a farmer, if he is efficient, and is. in circumstances which warrant the procedure, to get his excess liability written off after a period and be put in the position of starting off again from scratch, as it were—in occupation of a farm but with no assets over and above his liabilities. “Surely in these days farmers will realise, the absolute necessity of banding together to work, for our common good ■ and in the interests of New Zealand as a whole. We should strive in the direction of moulding public opinion so that all will realise the important part our exporting industries play in our economic life. “As Maeterlinck says, ‘ln proportion as a society organises itself and rises in the scale, so does a shrinkage enter, the private life of each of its members. Where there is progress it is the result only of a more and more complete sacrifice of the individual to the general interest.’ When farmers and others appreciate this fact more we shall have cause to be hopeful indeed. In any case, while we have such an organisation as the Farmers’ Union safeguarding our interests we can always be sure of some effort being made to obtain that which- we can with justice to everybody expect to get; that is, ‘Our fair share of both the necessaries and the luxuries of life in New Zealand in proportion to our efforts in producing these things.’

“Items in the balance sheet that represent large items of increased expenditure are the increased honorarium to myself and the richly deserved increase in salary to Mr. Morgan. Mr. Morgan,, the secretary, and his staff have again proved their undoubted value to us, and it is pleasing to feel that we have been able as directed by the last provincial conference to recognise this in a tangible form. I wish personally to thank the whole of the executive for their loyalty and assistance, and to thank the Women’s Division for its ever ready assistance and co-operation throughout the province. The division is , a source, not only of help but also of inspiration at all times.”