FEDERATED FARMERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 7, 5 August 1946, Page 8

FEDERATED FARMERS

AUCKLAND PROVINCE INC. RANGITAIKI BRANCH FORMED ‘That a branch ©f Federated Farmers of New Zealand, Auckland Province Incorporated be formed, and that it be known as the Rangitaiki Plains Branch/ Such was the decision of the meeting of farmers which took place at Edgecumbe last Tuesday evening in response to an advertisement stating that N.Z. Farmers’ Union Inc. and Federated Farmers of N.Z. Inc. had reached agreement, and requesting that all farmers, whether members of farmers organisations or not, attend to form a branch of the new organisation, intended to embrace all types of farmers.

Messrs. R. W. Dunning and C. J. C. Grant (North Auckland) were present, and outlined the set-up and policy of Federated Farmers of N.Z., Auckland Province Inc. after which a lengthy period was devoted to the answering of questions. When the resolution to form the new branch had been finally passed, and the provisional officers elected, Wednesday was already twenty minutes old. Thirty farmers attended the meeting, and a number of apologies were received. Organisation In his address on the organisation of the new movement, Mr Dunning stated that all previous differences between farmers had been forgotten every district except the Bay of Plenty. Combined meetings were being called all over the Auckland Province, and he trusted that farmers in the Bay would follow suit and fall into line with their fellow farmers in other parts of the Province. Some difficulty had been encountered through Mr W. N. Perry, Acting Dominion President, Federated Farmers of N.Z. Inc., disclaiming connection with meetings advertised as being called with his approval. This move was hard to reconcile with Mr Perry’s previous actions, particularly on June 21 last. On this date the Auckland Council of the Federated Farmers had reassembled, Mr Perry being in attendance. It had been agreed unanimously with Mr Perry’s full knowledge and approval that Sub-pro-vincial Presidents Farmers’ Union should have full authority to call public meetings of all interested parties throughout the Auckland Province. Since then, he (Mr Dunning) had been instructed personally by Mr Perry to carry on with the calling of the meetings. The speaker read minutes of various meetings held between representatives of the two organisations, Farmers’ Union and Federated Farmers, and outlined step by step how Federated Farmers of N.Z. Auckland Province Inc. had come into existence and progressed.

A United Voice

Mr C. J. C. Grant, commencing his address, stressed the fact that he was not a member of the Provisional Council, but had been asked by Captain Rushworth to attend meetings in the Bay of Plenty and speak to farmers. In his own district, a branch of the new organisation had been inaugurated, and was proving a strong and efficient body. He had attended a meeting at Katikati where a strong branch had been formed. In Tauranga, Mr Friis had made his meeting the farmers a difficult proposition, and he had as a result canvassed each farmer. He was amazed to find how they had been misled. Many were under the impression that the Auckland Province Executive Farmers’ Union, had declined to link up with the Federation. The fact was that the Dominion Executive would not admit it, as it possessed assets worth £30,000, and it was not legally possible for the two to amalgamate while the one had assets, and was not incorporated as a Province. At a meeting held in May, the Dominion Council agreed that the Auckland Province should become incorporated, thus opening the way.

The Auckland Province of the new organisation, Mr Grant continued, could have some 15,000 members. This meant that almost thirty delegates could be sent to Wellington. The Auckland Province could not cut adrift, but would have to abide by whatever policy was formed in Wellington. It would have, however, these thirty delegates to help form that policy. Pointing out the advantages attaching to incorporation, Mr Grant stated that through this factor, the support of the rest of the Province could be solicited for any enterprise which it was decided to start. The funds of any province, which was not incorporated, were controlled by the Dominion body.

Future Policy To the question of whether the Auckland Province of the Farmers’ Union had accepted the section plan to which they were previously opposed, Mr Grant stated that Auckland Province had accepted the rules completely, with the understanding that all the amendments which had been forwarded to Wellington by every Province in New Zealand, would be considered at the first annual conference. The rules were primarily registered without reference to the ordinary members, and every Province in New Zealand had sent amendments. Mr C. R. Wilson stated that in his opinion, although the farmers present would have to work out their own destiny, unless all pulled together, no progress could be made. Suggestions that another meeting be called the following night, or that the meeting be adjourned until the following night before a branch were actually formed were received, but Mr Dunning pointed out that it would considerably upset the itinerary of further meetings yet to be held in the Province.

Accordingly, after a lengthy discussion, it was decided to form the branch. Provisional officers were elected as under:— President: Mr J. Neilsen. Vice-presidents: Messrs. Mullins and Hammond.

Secretary: Mr P. T. Cristall. Executive: Above officers and Mr Briggs, with power to add. Delegates to Sub-Provincial Conference: Messrs. Neilsen, Hammond, Burr, Dunning, Mullins, Jones, Cristall, Moyer and Wilson.