FARMERS’ UNION AND SHEEPOWNERS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 203, 25 May 1944, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION AND SHEEPOWNERS

Differences Of Opinion Alleged (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WANGANUI, May 24. Differences of opinion between the executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union and the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federation were alleged at a meeting of the Wanganui provincial executive of the union today to be holding up the formation of the New Zealand farmers’ federation, and members present took strong exception to the position which had arisen. “Unless we an amalgamation with the Sheepowners’ Federation at the coming annual conference we shall have failed in our objective,” said Mr. R. O. Montgomerie. “If we fail we will earn ‘for ourselves the condemnation of all producers in this country.” Mr. Montgomerie moved: “That tins executive urges all possible haste with the amalgamation of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union and the Slieepownern’ Federation, as this urgent achievement is vital to the proper protection of the farming interests, and that if the Dominion executive can give us no hope of this accomplishment we call on the Dominion executive to call public meetings of producers throughout New Zealand to form a farmers’ federation and by this means force the hands of the Sheepowners' Federation.” “Mr. Chamberlain was a good enough Prime Minister for England in peacetime, but when they were in trouble they looked round for a Churchill,” said Mr. Alex Macnab. “The Farmers’ Union in New Zealand is in that position today. We want a man in Wellington at a salary of £5OOO a year to watch our interests and with executive officers paid accordingly.” “I am in favour of amalgamation into one federation, but we should drop ail party politics,” said Mr. T. Currie, the president. « x Mr. Montgomerie’s motion was carried unanimously. A further motion was carried to the effect that public meetings be called to form a federation of primary producers.