THE WAIKATO INDEPENDENT WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1944. FARMERS TO COMBINE.

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIII, Issue 4019, 26 July 1944, Page 2

THE WAIKATO INDEPENDENT WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1944. FARMERS TO COMBINE.

Elsewhere in this issue we publish a brief report outlining decisions made at a conference which we consider to have been one of the most important held in this country for many years. This conference was between delegates of the Farmers’ Unuion and the Sheepowners’ Federation. We know that only after long hours of discussion and debate was a decision reached —but such was the decision that at last a very valuable contribution has been made towards the objective and ideal of many keen farmers —that of the welding together of all farming interests into one sound and solid organisation. The decision is thai both the bodies mentioned “should join in the establishment of a complete organisation and that other farming bodies are being approached for their support.” All these bodies are to be asked to support the new organisation “The United Farmers’ Federation of New Zealand.” The choice of a title is certainly a happy one and we do feel that this development in Wellington last week augurs well for the “united farmers” movement. The desire for such a welding of all farmers interests had been so apparent in Cambridge district of late and, in view of the support which we have given the movement, we, too, are gratified that the movers in the dircciioii indicated in the foregoing have found minds in other parts of the Dominion following along similar lines. When it is" appreciated that the sheepowners of this country for so many years, followed—because they were forced to for their own protection —an isolationist policy, then it must be agreed that the Sheepowners’ Federation is to be commended for the lead it has given in support of a “United Farmers’ Federation.” The structure envisaged is one, that while its ideal is to bring all primary producing organ*isations into one solid body, does not require those producers to sink 'their identity as an organised unit. This is clearly stated in the report elsewhere. The various producing sections will be linked in each province by a general executive, which will, in turn, be directly associated with a Dominion Council, comprised of representation in fair proportion, and all matters in disuute. or of national issue, will be finally settled by the Dominion Council.

As we have previously stated in this column we firmly believe that the time has arrived, in fact is long past, when the producers of this country must, for their own welfare, get together into one organisation, that will—as has been said often in these parts of recent weeks —present a united front on behalf of the primary producers of the Dominion. '