CLOSER CO-OPERATION

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXVIII, Issue 122, 18 May 1932, Page 5

CLOSER CO-OPERATION

With Other Organisations

URGED BY FARMERS

AT AUCKLAND CONFERENCE

(Per Press Association)

AUCKLAND, This. Day.

The provincial conference of the Auckland Farmers’ Union attended by a hundred delegates yesterday, passed a resolution endorsing the endeavour of the executive “to place before other organisations our aims and objects and recommends the incoming executive to pursue the same objective.”

This resolution was passed after a long discussion on a remit from the Bay of Islands, urging:

“That as the Farmers’ Union has so many aims and objects in common with the labour unions, we feel closer co-operation to be to our natural advantage.”

Mr. J. H. Furness said, “Efforts are being made by the powers that be to set the town and country at each others throats. Remember the old Roman maxim, ‘divide and rule!’ ”

One member said that the aims of the producer and consumer were too conflicting, but another urged that there was no real antagonism. Any conflict could be overcome when the attitude of each was understood by the other.

Mr. Dunning: “We should include public bodies, why stop at laboui unions.

Mr. Cumming: The labour party is our natural ally.

“We have had meetings already with the labour unions," said the secretary, Mr. A. E. Robinson, “and while we were not unanimous on the tariff and currency questions, we were practically so."

Representatives of the Public Service were present.

Another amendment sought to inelude among those bodies which should be approached, the Chamber of Commerce, but a delegate, Mr. Dougherty, interjected, "We would not get help from that body." Several speakers opposed the Bay of Islands remit on the ground that the general public might misunderstand it.

Mr. Mellsop: Don’t be afraid to

stand by your views:" Mr. Nicol: We want to lose the old tradition that we are opposed to Labour.

After further discussion, the remit was amended and carried in the form stated.