N.Z. SHAREMILKERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5291, 25 June 1928, Page 2

N.Z. SHAREMILKERS.

• NEW FARMERS’ ORGANISATION. AN ASSOCIATION AT PAEROA. A well-attended meeting of sharemilkers was held at the new Theatre Buildings, Paeroa, on Thursday evening last Mir P. G. Shirley presidingIn his .address Mr Shirley said t.hat it was imperative to acquaint dairy farm owners with the fact that there was not one objective which was antagonistic to them. In fact, messages had been received from owners of re. putable standing wishing every success for the future. The main object wa.s for an organisation which would help to build up the standard 1 of efficiency and increase the production of the. Dominion. To do this it was necessary to have equitable and fair agreements between sharemilker and owner, and in which provisions were ma.de that no undue burden would fall on either party. This was the first step to,wards maximum production—in other words, full effort. Tlie association was making the dairy farm ow.ners’ burden its burden, a.nd was willing to render assistance towards the dairying industry and fanning generally by opposing any action or measure inimical to the farming interests. At the present time a shore-milker dicll not appear to be flesh, fowl, or red herring, a,nd it was the intention of the organisation to have him ranked gs a producer 'of the Dominion. He looked forward to the time when the owner would have every confidence in the organisation and'feel that it was) the place to go for adjustment of any grievances and warrantees; of good faith. He invited any owners of dairy farms- to call at the head office, Paeroa, or write,“for an insight of the objects and rules. Mr Schmidt, secretary pro. tern, and organiser in the meantime, said that in's reason for .associating himself with the movement, apart from the remuneration, was to render service to the members, and foil’ the. good that could be done by an organisation of fairmers whose objects were practically the same. Numerically, they could not hope to be a. very strong body in comparison with other organisations, but this would l be fully compensated for by co-opdration. The delegates from Matatoki proposed a vote of absolute confidence in the movement, a ; nd asked' th,at the president and organiser address tlie sharemilkers of that district. The following officers were elected : President, Mr P. G. Shirley ; secretary, Mr A- Schmidt; treasureir. Mr R. S. Carden ; committoe, Messrs N. F. Wells, O. Ays.cn, N. T. Stewart, R. H. Lloyd, L. J. Latimer, H. O. Lloyd, A. M. McKinnon, and R. Scott. REASONS FOR AN ASSOCIATION. Mr Schmitt gave the following rca. sons why an association is necessary : 1. Because while large areas of first-class land are allowed to one owner it is) found necessary to employ sharemilkers under contract. 2. A contract should at .all times be supported by an agreement. 3. An agreement which is onesided soon fails, and rarely the same con. tract suits two farms. 4. The sharemilker. is a class; of farmer isolated at the present. He is not classed as a farmer, a, farm labourer, ,a wage-earner, or a contractor. 5. Yet ,an efficient sharemilker’s sole aim"is to produce. And maximum production means knowledge, labour, and efficient fanning. 6. The sharemilker sought after most is the married man with a family who can’t possibly afford the moving from farm to farm, as. ,an uncertain and short contract may demand. 7. As the owner generally has the most to lose, a warranty of good) faith on an equitable agreement requires to be given by both parties. 8. There are also many cases where moneys earned by sharemilkers are spent or mortgaged, and difficulty in securing same arises, 9. Being in a class with, a similarity of objects in. life, eo-operati'on one with another should be carried on with success. ' 10. Unlike the owner, they are tied more or less to their far.ms, and have no central organism fighting their battles. 11. No effort nnffie to enhance the value of their farm-earned 20s. 12. Nowhere to look in the event of hardship, sickness or distress; and at such times are driven to accept oral or written contracts which, under normal conditions, they would not undertake.

13. The sharemilker is a national benefit to tlie D'ominio.n, Inasmuch as he is a producer under an equable agreement Efficiency is encouraged. 14. That everything possible should be done to raise the standard of efficiency, and ;an association is necessary for this Object.