LOCAL ORGANISATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 31, 8 December 1944, Page 4

LOCAL ORGANISATION

NO BREAKING AWAY

EXECUTIVE'S BELIEF

A Dominion, vice-president ol' the Farmers' Union, Mr A. Briscoe Moore of Pipiwai f who is also a member of the Auckland provincial executive, .said the. action of Mr H. M. Rushworth in registering a new farmers' body in Auckland was taken on his own initiative without consulting the provincial executive. The First official intimation of his action was given to the. executive on November 15, and was received with some astonishment Mr Moore f added. The names of 15 others concerned were not given. The president's personal assurance that his action was purely a precautionary measure to protect Auckland's interests was accepted, although his action did not receive formal me n't. "The present position has- arisen from the peculiar nature of the Auckland provincial organisation of the New Zealand Farmers' Union" added Mr Moore. "Comprising onethird of the Dominion membership it is different from other areas, and includes various central activities l'or'the benefit of members involving a .substantial investment ol funds. "The original draft rules of the new Dominion organisation contained a provision for the division of the Auckland Province into five which at first was presumed to be mandatory. On protests from Auckland, this was changed to allow Auckland members to arrange their own form of organisation to Fit into the new scheme. This is now the task before us. A meeting with the Auckland section, of the Sheepowners' Federation has been arranged to discuss this and other incidental matters. "The Auckland provincial executive. believes in the necessity for a new Dominion organisation, but is concerned to see that, in putting it into form local needs are met in 'J a way that, will not prejudice the services now rendered. There is no question of any breaking away by the Auckland provincial section of the. Farmers' Union and Mr Rush-

worth's action maj r Joe considered as an individual one which as provincial president he. evidently considered necessary as a technical precaution pending authority for the new amalgamation being given by the provincial conference.

"I feel sure, that the general sentiment and good will in favour of the new Dominion body is so strong that our local difficulties will be re.solved successfully to the ultimate bene/it of .farmers. Mr Scott Davidson ? a member of the Dominion committee which framed the amalgamation proposals associates himself with me in this statement."