THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 August 1901, Page 1

THE NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' UNION.

CHAT WITH THE ORGANISING

SECRETARY.

rjihat it is no easy matter to rouse the average farmer to action, even when his own personal welfare is directly concerned, has been clearly demonstrated to MiArthur G. C. Glass, general organising secretary of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, but, being a sanguine man and an ardertt worker for the betterment of those who go on the land, Mr Glass is now rapidly nearing the completion of the selfimposed task of bringing about a. combination of farmers throughout the colony for the purpose of safe-guarding and improving the interests of this section of the community. Mr Glass, who for some eight years past has been farming m the Hokianga district, returned recently from an orangising tour through the southern portions of the North Island, and last week gave a "New Zealand Herald" representative some interesting information concerning the Union and his doings in the south. . Asked first for a few facts relative to the formation and ekirly history of the Union, Mr Glass said : "It is just over two years since I first seii the ball rolling. Feeling that the farmers were not getting a fair return for their labour I approached the Hokianga Agricultural Society, and suggested that steps should be taken to bring about a combination of farmers fcr self-protection, laying my ideas fully before the members. They, however, did not consider the proposal possible of accomplishment, and refused to entertain it or render any assistance, but subsequently I succeeded in interesting the Maargonui Society in the matter, and that body practically gave m,9 my first start in the work. Thus encouraged, I started out and worked the districts, both north and south of Auckland, advocating the cause by means of lectures, etc., and by forming branches wherever possible, also seeking the support and co-operation of the Auckland Agricul- ; turail and Pastoral Association—at that time without success, but the body in question hias since come in line, and now takes a warm interest in our work. At Whangarei I received great assistance at the hands of the local Agricultural Association, and it was there that the preliminary rules for the guidance of the Union wero formulated.. Thence on the membership continued to grow, and in 1900 I felt that we were strong enough to hold our first conference, which took place in; Auckland, and the cause was"frarcnly sup-.' ported by the Auckland Weekly News,; the ■ circulation of the news through the country by that paper doing us an immense amount of good. At the conference in question the rules were revised,! a platform was drawn up, and the Union, was duly registered. Circulars' were, drawn up and issued to the various socie-! ties in the province, and I returned to my farm to await developments remaining ther^ for some nine months before making an-;1 other move .to increase the scope and in-fluence-of the society." "When did you first visit the southe n: portions of this island?" i^, •■ "It was in January of the present year that I first visited the'farming districts; in Taranaki and Wellington. It was only: a flying trip as I was working practically; without funds, but, short though the time; at my disposal was, I succeeded in arous-; me considerable interest in the movement, | and. in several districts was received with; considerable enthusiasm and promises. of: support" On my return,to Auckland a ; second conference was held,, and I reported' fully on the success that had attended my, efforts in the South, with the. result that] it was decided that I should' return and endeavour to thoroughly organise branches' throughout the southern portion of the; island. ' On this later occasion I was still more warmly received, and great' interest was shown in the matter, with the result that at both Taranaki and Wellington the! conferences were largely attended, and! branches \yme freely established in all* directions." -■

"What will-be your next move?" . On Thursday I leave for the South Is-i land, where I shall visit the whole of the; farming centres of note, delivering lee-! tures and forming branches. In sis months'

from now I expect to have the union thoroughly established throughout the colony, and everything in working order. The first colonial council under the new rules will then be held, probably at Wellington, that being the most central town. "What are the objects of the union?" . "Up to the present I may mention the objects and platform of the union have been adopted as those of the North Island, and will, of course, be subject to revision or alteration by the Colonial Council as its first meeting. The objects are to foster the interests of the farmers, fruitgrowers, and settlers of New Zealand; to promote the opening up and settlement of Crown and native lands, and the formation and improvement of means of communication; to obtain cheap freights, and to,place the salo of produce and the purchase. of material required for agriculturists on a satisfactory basis. The union will keep a vigilant watch on all measures before the House of Representatives, and on the working of the present laws, and will protest against any measure deemed injurious to its interests. Should measures be proposed or become law affecting the interests of the union, then r the, members of the union will bo advised to vote only for those candidates a.t any election who are prepared to pledge themselves to carry out the demands of the union. In our platform we urge that the forfeiture of grants for road for non-expenditure before disappearance of the Financial Statement, be abolished, and that the Government be requested to give authority, for grants for roads and bridges, etc., to be expended as soon as possible after the Estimates have passed the House. .With regard to Crown lands, we advocate that after .payment of the first deposit tenants .in. the back country, and where roads are ; unformed, bo allowed three years' occupation free, and that all Crown leaseholders (except those under the Land for Settlement Act) shall have the right to purchase the freehold at any time after the expiry of ten years from the date of lease, the right ■to be Ireti'osfpeative, provided1 that the area held by any one person shall comply with the provisions, of the Land Act. We also intend fighting for further concessions and assistance on the part of the Government to settler taking up such lands' as mentioned, to have all Crown and native lands brought under the Noxious Weeds and Rabbit Acts, and to have Crown and native lands which benefit, irorri the expenditure of special and general rates placed upon the same footing as European lands similarly situated. Every means is to be taken to reduce freights on produce to the lowest possible limit, so as to allow settlers to send produce, etc., to market at a profit, instead of at a loss, as is the case in many instances at present; and. we will urge upon the Government to devise some scheme by which farmers with good security may be able to obtain temporary loans at low rates of interest and at short notice, to save the sacrifice of .produce and stock. Another important matter in which we shall interest ourselves is that of education, and in this • connec-. eion the Union will, with a view to the better education of the agricultural population, ask the Government to provide for State farms, to be- directed by an advising board of governors,' on which the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations and the New.. Zealand Farmers' Union shall have renresentation. We shall also ask that greater attention be paid by the Education .Department to agricultural technical edcu;ation."

"Has the farming community benefited, to any extent by the operations of the Union to date?"

"Yes; I can safely say that it has, but, of course, much mbre -will be done when we get into full swing. As an instance of what has in a great measure resulted from the doings of the Union, I would point to the establishment of co-operative butter factories at Kaitaia aoad other districts of the Auckland province, and might also mejition that the Union has in a measure been responsible for the steps now being taken at Kaitaia in the direction of starting the sugar-beet industry in that district. When I was in the Taranaki and Danevirke district, I noticed that the _valu^ ations placed on the farming lands were excessive^ and a&.a result of representations made by me' the owners in several instances appeared before the Valuation Court and opposed the valuations, -with.'a result that reductions were madfe all round. The Government already provides

us with advance copies of measures affecting fanners, thus placing us in a, position to offer resistance to their becoming law if we consider them detrimental to our interests. Fire insurance rates, on farming risks have also gone up considerably of late, and we intend taking steps to endeavour to bring about a reduction."

"The Premier appears to ba hostile .to the Union?"

"There can be no doubt on that point; he is, and has openly declared himself so. His sympathies are with the Producers' Union, recently started at Pahiatua, solely with the idea of smashing up the New Zealand Farmers' Union, and Mr Seddon has not hesitated in stating that he will do his utmost to bring about the downfall of our Union. However, I think we will continue .to exist—l might even say flourish—despite the threats of Mr Seddon, and will go on doing our utmost to improve the welfare of the farming community without in any way. encroaching on party politics."