FARMERS’ UNION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1928, 18 January 1919, Page 4

FARMERS’ UNION.

Concluded from page 1.) - fanners, and .should he entitled to air their views—they were equally interested in (he welfare of New Zealand, He considered it wrong not to ulloav the business man a vote, and asked could not the rules be altered. Mr Cooper said they could he altered by working up a policy and forwarding propositions to the executive to modify or enlarge; it was orobable the rules would be revised. BRANCH FORMED. On the motion of Mr H. Molfatl, sc (‘ended by Mr Geo. Wells, it was unanimously decided to form a branch. On the motion of Mr P. A. (Lilies, seconded by Mr T. O’Rourke, it was resolved that the branch join the Manawatu sub-provincial district, and that the minimum subscription be £l, with a recommendation to the incoming executive that a sliding scale be adopted. The following were elected officers: —President, Mr T. O’R.atrko; vice-presidents, Messrs \\. M. Simcox and P. A. Gillies; secretary, Mr F. J. Ryder; ’delegate, Mr T. O’Rourke; executive, Messrs K. F. Blair, A. J. Podevin, and CL M’eHs. Mr Cooper asked that all help by making donations, and stated that he hoped to get £I,OOO in the W ellinglun district. WTien this sum was secured, an office, staff, etc., would be set up. He then moved that hearty votes of thanks be accorded Mr Field, who has helped in urging farmers to organise, and Mr Ryder, who had done much for the success of the meeting. Mr Field, in returning thanks, considered that as the district’s representative in Parliament he was only doing his duty. He urged upon farmers to consider such questions as the health of the people, the education of the young, the settlement of soldiers, and the like. He added that co-operation was needed as (here were rumours that there would soon be a strike to prevent produce leaving our shores. Mr Ryder also returned thanks, and implored all to be British and tight for a worthy cause. He added that farmers were being exploited from A to Z —rooked from left to right. He instanced how wool, for which the grower received Is 3d to Is (id per 11)., was sold, when woven, at 20s per lb., and shoes at 27s (id when hides only realised 2s (id. He asked who got the money, and pointed out it was certainly not the farmer. Very little of the profit went to labour, and he contended the grower was being exploited by the capitalist. Some £25 in donations was given by farmers before they left the room.