THE FARMERS' UNION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 3 February 1913, Page 5

THE FARMERS' UNION.

Hl'o the Editor.) Sir, —In your Issue of the 30th inst., you refer to the Farmers' Union Executive giving the Wellington Meat Companies an assurance of the approval of fanners of the action of the companies in closing down their works. You also have it on excellent authority that the executive of the Union does not represent the views of the fanners. Now, Sir, not so long •ago there was a cry throughout this country because the Federation of Labour did notrtake a secret baliot before declaring a strike at Waihi, and -it was asserted that .the miners' wives - should have a vote, and that Sample, Wobb, and Co. should bo kicked out of the country for leading the poor, ignorant miners to strike. Now, what do we find ? The sameFarmers' Union that cried the loudest for Sample's scalp is being led by a few "ag"—(no, T won't sav 6f the Wilson type. Why don't Wilson and Co. get the fealing of the rank and file of "their" Union beforo supporting the Meat Companies? And don't forget to let the small tanners'., wife vote.' The .farmer's- wife-I refer to is not the one that spends her time-attending bo ."At-.:h<mies-, ?, -etc.> It; is the wife of ; the farmer . who grows rape ..and turnips, and depends on the irieatr-works to take his fats. Just fancy the back-bone of "God's own country" being led by a lew irresponsible.s, and not. a word about kicking these "ag—" (there I go again, J nearly said that word), out of the country. One of the mast interesting and important truths of modern life is that, it is'often to, the advantage of business men to have their own business crippled, hampered and stopped altogether. When the small farmer takes a "tumble" to that fact, he will find that he has no cause in common with Wilson and .Co., but is closer related to the Labour movement o-f this country.—l am, etc., '. ROT) McRAE. I'Mnfitfitimu Fehwiaity.l,..l9l3..;-- v