ONE BIG UNION OF FARMERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 18785, 19 May 1923, Page 12

ONE BIG UNION OF FARMERS

THE DAIRYMEN’S PROPOSAL. The question o£ the formation of a . Dominion Federation of all organised farming bodies will be discussed at the Dominion conference of the ■' Dairy Farmers’ Union in Palmerston ; North on May 22. In connection. . with this matter the following cir- ; cular has been addressed to all far. mers’ organisations: I Encouraged by the favourable . comments received from various farmers’ organisations, the incorpor- ' ated bodies of the Dairy Farmers’ Union (Auckland, Wellington and Wairarapa) now place before your . executive their united auid considered ideas of formation of a federation, of the whole of New Zealand’s farm- . ing interests. The desirability of such a federation is felt very keenly by our mem- . bers. Looking back over the past we find scores of able but futile ■ efforts made by various individual . organisations where a united attack , no doubt very often w-ould have cari ried the day. This makes one feel that the farmers of New Zealand • have not had the support and did not . receive the recognition which their I economical position warranted and : i justified. Moreover, in the very near future we will be face to face w ith such ini- j portant questions as the extension . of the moratorium, reduction of in i terest, reduction of land tax. etc.,—■ ■ vital questions which affect the farming community as a. whole. In order - to assure a successful issue it is imperative that we speak with ono united voice wltich can only be accomplished ( by a federation of the whole of the farmers of t.he Dominion. The main objects of a. federation as we herein propose are:— (1) To foster a spirit of understanding and “esprit de corps throughout New Zealand farming community. (2) To unite and advance the interests of all farmers of the Dominion as a whole. (3) To obtain by united efforts objectives which were unobtainable by individual efforts. (4) To use every endeavour by constitutional means to meet any emergency, continguency, etc., threatening the welfare of the farming community. In accepting these objects as an , elementary basis, we wish to make it perfectly clear, that the first and foremost principle underlying the) idea of a federation is to recognise; the inviolable right ot each branch of farming to safeguard and manage I its own particular interests for which . it is specially qualified. Not only shall there be no interfer- [ ence between any two organisations j bur a spirit of co operation should bo encouraged so that no action may be [ taken by one organisation, which. might be hurtful to another. It. is suggested that the name of the federation shall be:—“The New Zealand Farmers’ Federation” or "The Dominion Farmers’ Federation.” All existing farmers’ organisations willing to join the federation will become members ot the federation. These members (the various organisations I will appoint or elect representatives the number of which shall be determined in the conference but shall bo on proportional I basis with the numerical strength of the var-ous members. These representatives shall bo called the Council of Dominon Farmers' Feder- i ation, and shall meet in conference at intervals not more than (say) six months. The council will deliberate on such matters and' subjects as njay be directed by their individ- ' ual organisations. The council shall • elect its own head, who shall be the i president of the federation. Each : member shall finance its own repre- ■ sentative or representatives on the council. All other expenditure ot the council shall be apportioned pro rata among its members. The executive powers of the council and all other details shall be determined in the conference. The above is an outline ot tho federation as proposed by our organisation. As you will see it in no way interferes with tho internal working of your institution. The expense will be limited to the financing of your • own representatives and the individ | ual share of the overhead expenses: would bo trifling. On the other: hand tiro advantages of such a federation are obviously many.