FARMERS’ UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 18 May 1932, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION

ITS ATTITUDE TO LABOUR.

CLOSER CO-OPERATION SOUGHT.

(By Telegraph —ter tress Association)

AUCKLAND, May 18

The provincial conference of the Auckland Farmers’ Union, attendee! by one hundred delegates yesterday, p'assed '.a resolution endorsing fib'©' endeavour of its executive “to place before other organisations our minus and objects, and recommends the uncoming executive to pursue the same objective.” \ This resoluteion was passed after a long discussion on" a remit from the Bay of Islands, urging “that, as the Farmers’ Union has so many aims and objects in common with the Labour Unions, we feel closer co-opera-tion would be to our natural advantage.” Oile member said that the aims of the producer and consumer were too conflicting; but another urged that there was no real antagonism. Any conflict -would be overcome when tne attitude of each was understood by the other.

Mr Dunning: “We should include public bodies. Why stop at Labour Unions ?”

Mr Gumming: “The Labour Party is our natural ally.”

“We have had meetings already with Labour Unions,” said the secretary, Mr A. E. Robinson, “and while we were not unanimous on the tariff and currency questions, we were practically so.” Representatives of the public service were present. Another amendment sought to include among those bodies which should be approached, the Chamber of Commerce, but a delegate, Mr Dougherty, interjected: “We would not get much iielp from that body!” Several speakers opposed tbe Bay of Islands remit on the ground that the general public might misunderstand it. Mr Mel Iso p: “Don’t be afraid to stand by your views.” Mr Nicol: “We want to lose the old tradition that we arc opposed to .Labour.” After further discussion, the remit was amended and carried in the form stated.