PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 64, 12 June 1942, Page 5

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

AUCKLAND FARMERS' UNION

C'APT. H. M. RUSH-WORTH'S.

REVIEW

In his remarks at the Provincial Conference of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, the president, Captain 11. M. llushworth, said the deliberate policy of the Executive, had been to maintain a policy of action antl to extend rather than curtail the Union's activities. The taxation service had been continued; the Trading Department was still running despite serious difficulty in

getting supplies; legal advice was obtainable for members on important principles; transport schedules had been kept on the same level, and carrying charges had not risen as much as most other costs, largely as the result ol" the efforts of the Union, working in conjunction with other bodies. The Union's own experiments at Tauranga nacl Waihi had also been contributing factors in keeping prices down. The Meat Marketing Company had obtained a licence, and was working on it, and rendering a very useful service to members. One grower lias assured him that he had realised 3/4 a head more for his lambs than if liehad sent them through the usual commercial channels.

Dehydrated Meat

The Meat Committee had also continued its experimenst with dehydrated meat, and its work had been fully justified by the results, as it was now abundantly evident that the processed meat would have an extensive market, limited only by local manufacturing facilities.

The Executive had kept well to the fore in the Union's responsibilities in regard to the war effort. The military authorities had availed themselves of the Union's services in the collection of barbed wire, and had complimented the Executive on the results. It should also be remembered that the Home Guard, now an integral part of the Defence forces, was the farmers' baby, having been born at the Provincial Conference of the Union two years ago.

The Executive also offered to the military forces the assistance of its organisation throughout the Province, but despite the cordial appreciation of the Prime Minister regarding the offer nothing came of it. The "Awake New Zealand" campaign opened in Hamilton had had the practical support of the Executive.

Price of Liberty

Going back into the years, said Captain Rushworth, many of them would remember when the words "Liberty" and "Freedom" were in

regular use. They seemed to have dropped into the background, bit to-day they were being resurrected, as was also "Democracy." arc hearing a great deal about our rights and privileges of freedom and liberty," continued the speaker, "but it must be remembered that these attributes are not inherent in human nature. They have to be fought for. What we have of them we have as the result of blood and tears from the centuries. Complementary to the terms "liberty and freedom" were "duties and responsibilities." The finest economic system is based 011 intelligent selfishness. How can I be free if my neighbour is in bondage? If I have a comfortable bed and three meals a day am I secure? Only so far as my strong right arm is able to protect me from those who have not. But if my neighbour also has a good bed and three meals a day I have nothing to fear. That applies not only individually but also internationally. Following the last war Ave had 20 years of blund-j cring, but one of the hardest duties in anj- democratic regime is the. urgent necessity for serious thinking. That is what the average person resents. He'll forgive you if you steal his watch, but not if you seek to make him think. 111 democracy it Ls inherent that we must take without squealing the results of our own actions. Even yet New Zealand is not awake, not unitedly determined to place liberty and justice in the forefront of everything. AYhat we want at the moment is intelligent selfishness. The whole incidence of debt will have to lie brought into consideration, for debt means bondage. At present the British Empire is fighting for its life, and we daren't even speculate as to the result. But as an ultimate objective let us look forward to the time when every man shall be able to sit under his own fig tree and no man shall be able, to make him afraid."