Dear Sir

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 37, 22 January 1946, Page 4

Dear Sir

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de-plume is used the name' of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the right to amend or withhold any letter or letters.

FEDERATED FARMERS OF N.Z. Sir—The present active appeal on behalf of the above should claim the attention of every thoughtful farmer in whatever branch of primary production he is - engaged. Most other industries are well organised and are reaping the benefit of a sympathetic hearing from the pow--ers that he on matters pertaining to their economic interests. Not so the primary producer who has been content to remain divided into sep*aratc groups within the industry, without co-ordination or any attempt at effective cooperative* action in matters of vital concern.

Seeing that over 90 per cent, of tlie wealth of the Dominion finds its source in the land the welfare of the community as a whole is wrapped up in the promotion and efficient management of primary production. It follows that the farmer carries a heavy responsibility. To this national obligation he has responded magnificently during the long and arduous testing period of the war. Many things that have been unsatisfactory have been overlooked and he has unquestionably done his job. Now he is called upon to face up to another loyalty, that of the efficient organisation of pro-? ducers on a nation wide scale, in order to cope with the problems of today and of the future, affecting tlie progress and security of the iiv dustry. Oil this depends not only his own prosperity but the stability and economic welfare of the Dominion. After much consultation a basis for the formation of a Federation embracing all sections of primary producers has been agreed upon. It is now for the individual farmer to come in and weld the new organisation into a' strong united body which will voice the opinion of. the producers of New Zealand.

Problems will inevitably arise, indeed have already arisen, with regard to constitution and methods, but given a determined will and purpose to pull together on derno.eratic lines it should not be beyond the genius of even individualistic producers to achieve unity.

One matter for immediate determination concerns the Bay of Plenty viz. the question of area organisation. In the past the Bay has been a sub-province of Auckland, administered by the Auckland Provincial Executive. Whatever merit may have attached to that system in the past it will no longer adequately serve the best interests of the important section of the province extending from Opotiki to Rotorua. Probably no district in the Do* minion offers greater prospect of immediate development or has greater potentialities in the field of primary production.

Its favourable climatic conditions, and the ready response of its soils to cultivation arc attracting prospective settlers from all parts of New Zealand. The census returns indicate a record of marked progress in recent years, and this promises to increase as far as land set-tl-mcnt is concerned when conditions permit of the development ctf virgin- country for rehabilitation

purposes. This is surely the time for th© producers to take advantage of the opportunity of becoming a unit in the Dominion organisation of Federated Farmers with control of their own area and direct approach to the Dominion Executive in Welling* ton. Yours etc. ’ “PIONEER.” Tauranga 10/1/46.