DAIRY FARMERS’ UNION.

Waipa Post, Volume XX, Issue 1128, 13 August 1921, Page 5

DAIRY FARMERS’ UNION.

MEETING AT TE AWAMUTU.

UNANIMOUS SUPPORT. A meeting of the Te Awamutu Executive of the New Zealand Farmers Union was held yesterday, and vras attended by Messrs S. C. Macky (president), W. H. Mandeno, Butterworth. B. Budden, and A. E. Fear, together with Messrs Parker, Grace, Livingstone, and Cuff, of the Dairy Farmers’ Union, and Messrs A. H. Closey and Budden, of Otorohanga. The meeting was held to consider the movement to form a Dairy Farmers’ Union. The secretary (Mr J. G. Wynyard), said he had notified the var.'ous Farmer’s, Union branches of the meeting. The Korakonui Union replied that they could not see their way to support the Dairy Farmers’ Union as they were already paying to the Farmers’ Union, with which they were satisfied. Proposed rules for the Dairy Farmers’ Union were read by the secretary, as drafted by him in collaboration with iMr A. E. Fear. They provided for a subscription of 5/ per member, plus 6d a head per cow up to 40, 3d a head for the next 40, and 2d a head for those beyond that number.

Mr Fear said the proposal, was discouraged by the Farmers’ Union at Auckland, but there was evidence everywhere over a 700-mile tour he had recently, made, that the old Farmers’ | Union wa s a dead body. The present movement did not aim to split up that Union, blit to start specialised Unions for dairymeu, poultrymen, bee men. fruitgrowers, etc., affiliated with the old Union. He was supported by 90 per cent ‘'of the dairy farmers wherever he went. At Waharoa he was guaranteed 4000 to 5000 cows, their subscriptions to be deducted from their butterfat cheques. Similar success had been obtained in other districts. He pointed out that the farm labourers had joined the Labour Alliance, and were moving for an S hour day,, overtime, and double pay on Sundays. The proposed Dairy Farmers’ Union was needed to deal with the movement, and also to combat the trusts and the shipping ring, and promote' better marketing, banking, and co-operative shipping, etc. The dairying industry represented 40,000 men, as against only about 10,000 in the beef and wool industries. He was satisfied the specialising he advocated was necessary for good results.

Mr Grace said every loyal farmer recognised that their industry was unprotected, and surrounded by combines and other organisations; and that re-organisation among themselves was necessary. The present movement would bring about a new Farmers’ Union on a federation system, each branch of the industry promoting its particular interests. Some divergency of views was displayed as to the best mode of collecting the revenue. Mr Cuff said it was obvious the dairying portion of the farmers’ organisation was its strongest component, and a complete re-organisation would be required, scrapping the present Farmers’ Union. Mr Fear did not think scrapping was necessary. All that was needed was reconstitution, the various industries being federated. In case of a federal conference the various delegates would be simply Farmers’ Union delegates. Mr B. 'H. Budden supported the scheme.

Mr Butterworth thought the meeting was “getting along fine.” They seemed all agreed upon the same principle. Mr Cuff saw difficulties in putting the scheme into working order. Mr Wynyard said the idea was that the Dairy Farmers’ Union would hav* its branches, and the sheep men, bee keepers, poultry men. and fruitgrowers would have their branches. ■ But the New Zealand Farmers' Union would comprise delegates appointed from all these.

Mr Cuff thought reconstruction on these lines was practicable. Mr B. Budden said there already existed a Woolgrowers’ Association and a Wheatgrowers’ Association, but these were under the Farmers’ Uniin. He would not favour a movement that would undermine that Union. Labour unions were federated under one head, but the farmers were not yet so linked up. They were a small proportion of the population—only about 27 or 28 per cent being farm owners and workers, whereas the rest of the population made up the other 72 or 73 per cent —and some action was necessary. • If the Dairy Farmers’ Union movement were going to result in a stronger membership he would support it on that account. The dairymen of to-day might be the beef or wool man of to-morrow, and some way of transfer from one branch of the Union to another was desirable. He feared if they split up the industries it would be harder to get a full branch meeting than now. Mr Fear said it w r ould be easy to transfer a member of the Dairy Union t 6 the beef or wool union. Mr Grace said the Farmers’ Union as now run was not coping with the passing event's of every day. It was hidebound, though it bad much gcoa service in its record. The Labour movement had gained strength because they modified their organisation whenever the neei occurred. Many labour men had gone in for dairying, and these men knew the value of organisation.

Mr S. C. Macky (chairman of the Farmers’ Union) said the question bristled with difficulties. They must move in harmony with the Farmers’ Union in developing their scheme. He suggested adopting the principle today and consulting the Farmers’ Union as to details. If it came to a final choice between the old Farmers’ Union and the Dairy Union, he would stick by the old Union. Mr Fear said the movement was not an attack against the Farmers’ Union, but he gave instances where the dairy farming interests were neglected. On one occasion in Taranaki the dairy farmers took steps which kept the price of bacon up to 6d instead of 3d or 4d, while the Far-

mers’ Union had taken no step. This dairy farmers’ movement was going to go ahead, but they desired to develop in harmony with the old Union if possible Mr Parker said the Dairy Union movement promised better service than the old Union, and if there must be a clash the most valuable should survive.

Mr Herbert Mandeno moved, “ That this sub-provincial executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union is in favour of a New Zealand Dairy Union, provided the necessary arrangements can be made with the New Zealand Farmers’ Union as provided by the rules now drafted.” He spoke, howk ever, in defence of the Union’s work in the past. Mr Butterworth seconded. Mr Parker said it would be a correct first move, opening the way to further details. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Fear made it clear that the desire was to organise under the old Farmers’ Union as the federated head. Mr Grace said the Farmers’ Union president, Mr Duxfield, was dead against the movement. Mr Butterworth said it must not be a question of sentiment. The chairman their moved: “That the secretary write to the Sub-provin-cial and Provincial Executives and also to the individual members, asking for the necessary arrangements to give effect to the movement. Mr Herbert Mandeno seconded. Mr B. Budden advised first getting the co-operation of the branches. The motion was carried unanimously. i A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Wynyard for bringing about this meeting.