FARMERS’ UNITY

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22762, 10 November 1945, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNITY

CAMBRIDGE DISTRICT Unprecedented enthusiasm for unity was demonstrated by a representative meeting of district farmers in Cambridge yesterday when it was unanimously decided to form a branch of Federated Farmers of New Zealand; also to request the provisional executive of the Waikato Province of Federated Farmers to proceed with the setting-up of a separate province. The meeting elected Mr W. N. Perry chairman of the meeting and of the provisional executive of the Cambridge branch. Other provisional officers were elected: Vice-presidents, Messrs G. A. Walsh and W. C. Wallace; honorary secretary, Mr J. Butler, and a representative executive of twelve. The meeting contributed freely to an establishment fund for the local branch and the provincial body on a fifty-fifty basis. The meeting was addressed by Messrs Perry. G. A. Walsh, F. N. Smith, of Kiwitahi, and W. C. Wallace, of Cambridge. The speakers, especially Mr Walsh, traced the hard fight since 1941 to have Federated Farmers of New Zealand established. The chairman urged that never in the history of New Zealand and its producers was there a greater need for unity among the farmers than today. In this direction he was strongly supported by other speakers. Electoral Amendment Bill There was an animated discussion on the Electoral Amendment Bill and the following resolution was carried unanimously:—“ That a telegram be sent to the Prime Minister that the meeting was determined that the bill should be repealed or not put into operation; that these producers will resort to constitutional practices; but if the Government fails to meet the producers then the bill will be met by all the means within their power.” The chairman, Mr G. A. Walsh and others spoke strongly on the subject but urged that action only along constitutional lines be taken. Mr Perry urged that the producers’ leaders should be given 100 per cent support in a campaign to organise and particularly to educate the people in the knowledge that the producer had not received justice at the hands of the present Government. On the motion of Mr R. D. Fisher i it was unanimously decided to send a letter of appreciation to the Leader ; of the Opposition on the good fight put up in connection with the Bill.