ONE BIG UNION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 284, 25 August 1921, Page 5

ONE BIG UNION

TO PROTECT FARMERS’ INTERESTS IMPORTANT CONFERENCE OF PRODUCERS CONCENTRATED ACTION URGED A NEW PRINCIPLE AFFIRMED A conference of far-reaching Importance to farmers generally took place yesterday, arising out of which It was decided to affirm the principle of one big "union,” representative of the interests of the whole of the primary producers of the Dominion. The object of the proposal Is to secure greater cc-ordination and uniformity of effort on the part of four big associations representing the agricultural and pastoral interests of New Zealand with a view to presenting a united front' to the Government on taxation, tariff, labour, and other important questions common to all, but not coming within the special purview of any Individual body. These four associations are: The Nev/ Zealand Farmers’ Union, the Council* of Agriculture, the Sheepowners’ Federation, and the National Dairy Association. The proposal doos not mean the amalgamation of these bodies, but rather the formation of an executive council of all four. The conference took place at the Dominion, Farmers’ Institute, and those present were: Messrs. G. L. Marshall, W. Perry. J. D. Hall, O. Hawken, M.P.. F. Hay, 'and W. I> Pike, representing the Now Zealand Council of Agriculture: Messrs. W. J. Polson and R. D. Duxfield. New Zealand Farmers’ Union; Messrs. «L. A. Rutherford, 11. Gascoyne, and W. Shorratt, the Sheepowners* Federation ; Sir .Tames Wilson and Messrs. W. R. May, E. Averill, end, D. W. Westenra, Board of Agriculture. Apologies for non-attendance were received from , tho representatives of iiho National Dairy Association, who advised that they were occupied at another meeting. M>. Marshall presided. The Scheme Outlined. At the outset the chairman explained that the conference was tho outcome of a resolution carried at tho recent conference of the Council of Agriculture, urging "That it be a rsrommendation to the executive to go, fully into the matter of organising the various bodies representing the fanning interests." To this end tho conference had been called, in order to see if some ebnstitution could not he evolved for the proposed body, which would be satisfactory to all parties. He suggested that with tho object of securing uniform representation on the part of farmers’ organisations and pastoral interests that the four principal associations of producers should agree to the formation of an executive council from among themselves. Continuing tho chairman said that he did not think it would bo wise to ask these bodies to amalgamate. He did not think that this could bo done. H* 1 did think, however, that it was possible to have «om? co-ordination'and uni. formity of effort touching certain vital questions of common interest whereby tflie primary 'producers would bo enabled to present a solid front backed by n unanimity of opinion. Tf they went n.s far as making tho proposed executive, tho means of furthering tho remits passed at the conferences of the differ ent bodies and of making united representation to the Government, they would accomplish much pood. Mr. Marshall went on to noint to the present overlapping involved by the present multiplicity of conferences which year after year passed sheaves cl remits —many of them hardy annuals—which were ineffective and were eventually lost sight of SUFFERING FROM DISUNION. "Wo are,’.’ ho said, "at present suffering from, disunion, and wo must got the foundation of some constitution * which will enable us to take concentrated action rather than individual action." Tho chairman added that so far as he could see there was no possibility of tho producers dealing effectively with tho important questions of the present day, unless they were unanimous with regard to tho points involved. If they undertook to deal with matters which wore disputed by any one body it would lead to disruption nt once; It was not proposed to usurp the functions of the different bodies already constituted. Each would be left to govern its own affairs as at present. Mr. Marshall next referred to another suggestion, the adoption of which he strongly recommended. It was that they should take the opportunity ,of forming a Royal Agricultural Society which the various associations and unions could look upon as a means of airing their grievances, and as un acknowledged .authority, through which all representations could be made to the Government. PROPOSALS CRITICISED. Mr. R. D. Duxfield (Auckland) said that he could see weaknesses in the proposed national executive. Ho thought tho producers already had in existence a body which should practically handle all the matters set out by tho. chairman. He referred to the New Zealand Farmers’ Union/ They had in the Farmers’ Union’a body which, if properly supported as it should be, provided all the organisation necessary. He failed to Bea any need to go outside the union. All the different bodies representative of the producers should bo linked l up with the Farmers’ Union.

Mr. I). W. Westenru. supported the proposal. Co-ordination of the producers' interests was badly needed. The Farmers’ Union and the other bodies would never amalgamate', and on account of the cumbersome way in which important questions were handled, farmers could get no further with anything, liecommendations were forwarded on to the different unions, which, however, were seldom unanimous, and consequently nothing ever eventuated. The timo had therefore arrived for the setting up of some council at the head of affairs —a central body which would look after the producers’ interests in a very much more practical manner than obtained under the present system. Speaking as a representative of the Sheepowners’ Federation, Mr. L. A. Rutherford said that he was heartily in favour of the project. “Let us,” he urged, "join together to deal with big matters that affect us conjointly—matters dealing with meat or wool, the Sh'eepowners’ Federation feel they are in o. better position to handle than any other body. Matters affecting freights, taxation, and labour—these are matter’s that concern us all. T think that there may bo some little difficulty in connection with representation,’but that should be easily overcome.” NEED FOR ORGANISATION. Mr. J. D. Hall said that he was thoroughly in accord with the movement. It wan, he remarked, Mr. W. I). Hunt’s address to the Council of Agriculture that had inspired tho promoters of the projrosal. He read a letter from Mr. Hunt, regretting his inability to attend on account of his absence from Wallington, and commending the conference to

form some central organisation to watch over farmers’ interests. Mr. Hunt also wrote that such a body would bo effective if it were composed of live men who could assemble at Wellington quickly whenever the need arose, to discuss matters which might well be grouped under tho following heads: (a) Taxation; (b) economy, without which no reduction, in taxation could be secured; (c) tariff; Id) finance, legislation affecting mortgages, etc.; (e) labour.

Continuing, Mr, Hall said that Mr. Hunt’s proposals did not go quite far enough. The producers should form a council which would represent x at least the four big farming organisations, with the idea later on. of getting smaller organisations such as the beekeepers* and potato-growers’ to join up. Tho members of the council should form the brains of the farming industry, and have the care and consideration of tho matters of importance that Mr. Hunt had outlined. It should also be their business to help the individual organisations to improve their organisation and increase their interests.

Adverting to the need for 'some such organisation, Mr. Hall said that taxation so far as farmers were concerned was very unfair. It was oppressive at tho present time, and was likely to remain oppressive until the producers got together to the extent of satisfying the Government that the producers of the Dbminion were waking up and were going to do something. In a period of adversity the farmers were being asked to pay just as much taxation as they were four years or so ago. He felt sure that if the suggested council prepared a statement for presentation to the Government, and at the same time acquainted the authorities with the fact that they (the council) represented 30,000 farmers, they would be able to accomplish something. If tho Government would not admit that they represented 30,000 farmers, then they should "swing back” to tho various individual organisations and get them to pass resolutions backing them up ,- n their representations. FARM LABOURERS PRAISED. Another point made by Mr. Hall was that wages in the Dominion were up to a peak now, and that there must be a turning point. Incidentally, he went on to state that the form labourer was the "most unfortunate individual in the country, right now.” Ho had. accepted a lowet wage. Tho respoq>) with which the farm labourer in Canterbury had met the slide in the prices of primary produce in this connection was most gratifying. "I did not know,” he remarked, "that such fine chaps existed. Wo feel that we must join with them to help them and seo if the cost of living oannot be brought down. . . . We must see that they get tho purchasing power for their money." In tho course of a general discussion it was stated that Mr. Edwin Hall was making inquiries as to wihat was being done in other countries—particularly America—with regard to placing the organisation of primary producers on a better basis. In America, it was stated, there was an organisation of farmers with a membership of one million and a fighting fund of nearly -£IOO ; CXX>. Mr. James Begg (Otago) said that a direct and far-reaching effect of the efficient organisation of the American farmers, was the new U.S.A, tariff, which p>eed such a heavy impost on primary produce imported to. that country. It was unfortunate that in New Zealand all the farmers wo-uld not join the Farmers’ Union. But for this apathy there would bo no need for that day’s conference. Possibly the various bodies might eventually amalgamate, but that day was a long time off. Meanwhile it behoved the producers to organise in order to compel the Government to pay attention to their just demands. As matters stood, it was not the Government that was to blame. Obviously no Government was going io take serious notice of any representations unless it felt that these had the full body of fanning opinion behind them.

PRIME MINISTER’S DIFFICULTY.

The chairman pointed out that the Prime Minister had said that if the producers would only let him know what they wanted he would see that it was done if possible. Mr. W. Perry (Masterton) raised the question of providing sufficient funds to enable the proposed organisation to do its fighting. This was going to bo a big question. Tho farmers of New Zealand had been far too quiet, and there was not sufficient punch behind them. If a Royal Agricultural- Society could be formed, and supported by all the various Canning organisations, it could be made the means of getting over the difficulty of financing the proposed council. The chairman: "I think it would be a splendid solution of the difficulty if we could form a Royal Agricultural Society with all these bodies affiliated to it, and then for the society to become the recognised body through which all their remits could be sent.” Ho added. that they would also boneflt through the Royal agricultural shows which would be conducted by tho society.

Mr. Duxfield said that in Auckland the farmers looked upon tho Farmers Union as their political mouthpiece, and would resent any change in this state of affairs. Ho was strongly in favour of political action, and the Auckland farmers hoped in time to educate the farmery in other parts of the Dominion in this connection.

Mr. Westenra: That is the trouble with a number of the heads of tho Farmers’ Union—they are looking to politics and nothing else. THE KING’S CONSENT. Regarding tho suggestion that a Royal Agricultural Society should bo formed, Sir James Wilson expressed tho opinion that tho King’s consent could not be. obtained to use tho title “Royal’’ for a body that was taking politics into consideration. He suggested, However, that some league should bo formed for the purpose of drawing the producers of the Dominion closer together. Mr. O. Hawken, M.P., urged tho necessity of some central committee being formed on the lines suggested by the chairman. He was satisfied from tho discussion that had taken place that tho Government would have to deal with tho question of preference to unionists, because they felt that tho public were demanding action in the matter. Continuing he' aaid that tha Board of Agriculture was another farmers’ organisation which had failed to fulfil the high expectations that tho producers originally had of its usefulness. Probably this was owing to the lack of publicity ns to its deliberations. Owing to tho fact that tho Gorjornmient controlled tho board its deliberations had to bo referred to tho Government, and in many instances they did not reach the public. Mr. W. J. Polson (Wanganui) said that while in tho past the Farmers’ Union had not been as active /is it should bo, it had to lie borne in mind that at tho present timo it was making very considerable progress in the North Island. In tho South Island, too. tho union was advancing, and it was about to make very much greater strides there than it had been able to in the past. PLEA FOR THE FARMERS’ UNION. "We are,” he added, “proposing to bring before farmers generally a very fine constructive co-operative programme which wo have in view, and which we hope to get farmers generally to adopt. I can assure yon that wo arb going to got the punch that we have lacked tn tho past. I look upon tho Farmers’ Union as tho proper political organisation. I am thinking of politics in the broader sense. 'The Farmers’ Union turn n very strong hold upon New Zealand as a whole, and it is becoming a very strong power In tho community. I want to see tho Farmers’ Union progress on sounder and more progressive lines.” Mr. Rutherford: Aren't wo getting ’ away from the point, Mr. Chairman.*

The chairman ruled Mr. Polson in order. Continuing-, Mr. Polson said that he did not want to see another organisation established. He urged that the existing organisation should bo maeje stronger, brought into closer co-opera-tion, and given a further trial. Ho disliked to feel that there was any antipathy on the part or his fellow sheepowners io the Farmers’ Union. Mr. Begg denied' that there was any antipathy to the union so far as the sheep-owners were concerned, and ho viewed Mr. Polson’s allusions will regret. If the proposed central body was set up, he hoped- that the Farmers’ Union would back it up. Ho emphasised that there were various features of the producers’ interests which did not come within the purview of the Fanners’ Union. For instance, the Sheep-owners’ Federation was going to the Arbitration Court this week with the shearers and shed hands, and was going to light for Auckland with their own (the federation’s) money. Mr. .T. D. Hall said that time pressed, and it would bo too late for action on several pending matters if they waitedfor the Farmers’ Union to reorganise. The producers had to make united representations to Parliament before the end of the coming session. They had got. to face the tariff and "this question of labour." MOTION ADOPTED. After further discussion. Iha conference adopted l the following resolution:— That the organisations represented at. this meeting should unite to the extent of sotting up a national council, composed of representatives in .appropriate numbers from each of the bodies mentioned, and that, such executive should deal with all matters of common interest generally. but should nol interfere with matters which affect individual organisations; for the purpose of carrying out tlio above a committee bo set up to draft a c.onetlVution and submit it to a future meeting of delegates for ratification and adoption. The following committee was set up it terms of ihe revolution: —Messrs. Polson, Begg, J. B- Hall. J?urry, Hawken, Marshall, and/ Averill.