FARMERS' UNION.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 22 May 1922, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The committee of the Waimate branch of the Farmers’ Union met on Saturday afternoon. Present: Messrs J. Bitehener, M.P. (president), Jas. Manchester, W. F. Cheverton, W. Hayman, R. Sinclair, R. Creeser, E. C. Studholme, W. Bell, M. Mcßae, S. J. Bailey, and the seceretary (Mr Albert J. Hoskins). Circulars were received covering correspondence which had taken place between the Dominion Secretary (Mr E. C. Jack) and the hon. sec. of the Rongatea branch of the Union and the seeertary of the Hairy mens’ Association (Mr Fear) regarding the policy of the latter and its attitude toward the Farmers’ Union.' ‘The circulars also included a copy of a letter written by Mr W. J. Polson (Dominion president) in reply to allegations made by the Dairymens’ Association, an extract of which read as follows:

“When we consider that the co-op-erative movement, the very basis of our dairy industry, began with the Farmers’ Union; that the Farmers’ Union advocacy of herd-testing, resulting in the establishment of herd-testing associations, began this improvement of our herds; that the Farmers’ Union’s strenuous fight against a. farm labourers’ award, extending over 15 months, prevented what is happening in Queensland (where dairying farmers have to employ two shifts at a minimum wage of- over £4 a man) occurring in New Zealand to the destruction of the industry; that the Farmers’ Union organised 3000 special constables and 3000 labourers to put the butter and cheese on board in 1913, and by- so doing saved the dairy industry from disaster, and defended the liberties of our dairy farmers; that the Farmers’ Union fought and prevented the enforcement of the obnoxious dairy regulations issued some time back by the Department, and saved the dairy farmer from oppression and annoyance; that the Farmers’ Union fought and defeated the attempt to put dairy factory workers into the A.W.U.; that the Farmres’ Union has blocked all sorts of legislation, which, like the Leasehold and the Fair Rent Bill, aimed at preventing progress and confiscating improvements; in short, that the Farmers’ Union’s work in the interests of the dairy farmers has been unceasing, and still goes on. When we consider these things, I say: It is madness to weaken the Farmers’ Union to-day when a united front is so essential”

The chairman remarked that it had been said that the Farmers’ Union did not cater for dairy farmers. They should not forget what the Union had done for them. He thought Mr Polson was quite right. He did not think the dairy farmers would be any beter off if they re-organised by themsleves. Mr Polson was a dairy farmer as well as a sheep farmer, and he thoroughly understood their interests. There was no doubt that the Farmers’ Union was a power behind the guns in Wellington, and he thought the dairy farmers would be better off with the Union. The object of the Dairymens’ Association was no doubt to market their butter in the same way as the meat pool.

After some discusion, it was resolved that the correspondence be received, a motion of confidence being passed to the Dominion Presdient (Mr W. J. Polson). Mr E. C. Studholme said he wished to bring up the matter of bank interest. He thought the Farmers’ Union should bring pressure to bear to have the bank rate of interest reduced. The banks were making enormous profits. At present it was nothing more than usury. When the farmer wanted assistance from the banks he could never get it, and the banks jumped on the farmer whenever they wanted to. They wer e still making big profits—according to their bal-ance-sheets.

The chairman said he thought the question of the bank rate was a matter for the conference.

After some discussion, it was resolved on the motion of Messrs Studholme and Hayman that the South Canterbury Executive be urged io consider the present excessive rate of interest charged by the banks ®md to take steps to have a more reasonable rate fixed, the remit to be forwarded on to the Dominion Conference at Wellington. The chairman mentioned that in regard to appointing a canvasser (a /matter that was discussed at the previous meeting) he had had a chat with Mr Jack (Dominion secretary) coneerniag the appointment of Mr T. Buxton, and lie had been given to understand .that at present that gentle-'

man was in great demand. Mr Buxton had recently been canvassing on behalf of the Union in th e North Island, where he had secured between 400 and 500 members. He would try and secure his services for this district, but he was not sure that he would be able to. The various branches of the Union were so delighted with his success that they wanted him back again. Mr Studholme wanted to know if members were satisfied with the result of the threshing award. At present his threshing cost him Is per bushel, which he did not consider was a fair amount. They had to pay for a considerable amount of time which they did hot. get. They only paid 2d and 3d when wheat was 3s a bushel.

Mr Cheverton said he thought threshing should not cost more than 6d a bushel. Mr Studholme said he would not mind paying 9d, but the men seemed to object to pushing things along. He thought the men were getting at least 25 per cent, more than they were entitled to. The Arbitration Court, he said, only got the evidence of a few people and took more notice of the labour agitators than it did the farmers. Mr Sinclair said the men had treated him very well and he could not expect any more of them. They had threshed no less than 20 stacks in 29J hours. Last year his wheat cost him 4/d per bushel to thresh and this year about 6d.

It was agreed that Mr Studhohne should forward his threshing statistics to the South Canterbury Executive to deal with the matter.

On the motion of Mr Sinclair, it was resolved to request the South Canterbury Executive to forward a copy of the minutes of their meetings during the year. Mr Sinclair brought forward the matter of instituting lectures and at his suggestion it was decided to ask Mr A. M. Paterson (veterinary surgeon) if he would agree to give a lecture at a convenient date, the subject to be left to his discretion. Mr A. B. Flint was elected a member of the Union. /

It was resolved to contribupte one guinea to the Pearson Fund for the Blind.

Accounts amounting to £l2 14s were passed for payment.