FARMERS' UNION MATTERS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1421, 23 April 1912, Page 8

FARMERS' UNION MATTERS.

MEETINGS-ANNUAL AND OTHERWISE. secessitt l'on organisation. Tho matter of agricultural implements at shows was brought forward at tho last meeting of the J'araiialu J'rnviucial Executive of tho farmers' Union. A letter was received I rom the prc.-ident of the North Canterbury executive jn rel'erence to-the decision of the agricultural implement makers not to exhibit at the principal thows, and recommending tanners wlio are purchasing implements to make a stipulation that delivery shall lie given on the show grounds. 'J. he writer also recommended turners absolutely to discontinue tho custom of giving orders through travelling agents, and to send their orders direct to the firms with whom they desire to deal. On the motion of Mr. Dunn, seconded by Jlr. Cleaver, it was resolved "that this executive regrets the manufacturers' decision not to exhibit at agricultural and pastoral shows, and' wliilut recognising that the travelling agent is costly, the executive cannot see' that the suggestion of the North Canterbury Executive would be a remedy, and would certainly not suit Taranaki." It was also resolved on the motijn of Mr. Thomson, seconded by Mr. Dunn, "That the executive recommends to the branches that as the employment of travelling machinery agents must necessarily increase the cost, and as they take uv> a great deal of the farmers' time, it -would be in the interests of purchasers to send orders direct to the manufacturers instead of dealing wi'.h the travelling agents." The Fcilding Branch. The.annual 'meeting of the JTcildmg branch ol the union was held last week, Mr. C, Selby presiding. Speaking to the annua] report, the chairman said that with regard to the branch getting cut labour from Home for farmers, 'i would be well to move carefully ill order Ibnl they might not run counter to any of l.'.e numerous laws passed by the Government regarding immigration. In tact, ho thought legal opinion should be takeu, so that !hey might know exactly now !ar tliey could go. Labour troubles were looming ominously all over the workl, and although everyone would sympathise with real grievances, such as underpaid labour ami so on, the great trouble was that there was no finality to the demands made, and it seemed to him that labour unions would not rest until they occamo lop dogs, if people were tools enough to let tliein.

Officers were elected as under:—Chairman, Mr. Sclby (re-elected); vice-chair-man, Mr. \V. I'rv; committee, Messrs. .1. M'Farland, H. J. Booth, IVY. Lethbridgc, C. A. J. I.evclt, A. Conway, .1. E. MaeLennon, I!. 0. French, 0. M'Elroy, Hugh Burrell, Henry Bnrrell, AV. C. Pcarce, A. Campbell, J. Morrison, mid J. Xorthcoit; secretary, Mr. J. K. Terry; auditor, .Mr. H. 11. Hare; delegates to Provincial conference, C. Selbyand A. Conway. Farmers Must Combine. The YTairarapa, according to Mr. .T. G. Wilson, .Dominion president of the union, i 5 not.doing itseh justice in regard tu the union. It was a great pity he said, in an address on Saturday,' but somehow Wairarapa farmers did no; keep together. Farmers did not realise the beneficial results cf combination, and never in the history.of the Dominion was there more urgent need fur it than at present. There was, for instance, the Unity of Labour movement, and although (iicre was absolutely no reason why the. farmers. and the employees should not be on the most friendly footing, there were those-who were ever ready to stir up industrial strife. The best employees were leaving the farmer, and going on to the laud on their own account, and gradually tho number of hands was diminishing. Many farmers would employ more hands if they could secure good labour, but the great scarcity in this connection was forcing them to relinquish both grain-growing and dairying. The question was, how were the ranks of the workers.to be filled? If immigration was mentioned, there was an immediate outcry. When the farmers waited on the Minister, asking that the system of assisting boys to immigrate, he continued, they were told that nothing could be done. As a result of this apathy, tho Sedgwick boys were being passed over to other countries, who had taken up the'ideas introduced by Mr. Sedgwick. . In urging, the .need for combination amongst the farmers, the "YVairarapa, Age," commenting on the above report in i'.s columns, says that when it has come to organisation to protect tho general .interests of the man on the land the farmers have been found wanting. Unless the farmer awakens from his lethargy, he will, one of these days find himself in "queer street." .If, adds, the "Age," unionism is necessary to, secure the recognition of the rights of the dwellers in the towns, it should he equally necessary for ''the preservation of the privileges of those who occupv tho soil. — : . I