Colonel Closey’s Campaign

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 40, 17 February 1937, Page 12 (Supplement)

Colonel Closey’s Campaign

COMPENSATED PRICES FOR DAIRYFARMERS "Unqualified success has attended the lecture tour of Manawatu by Colonel S. 'J. E. Closey which has been conducted under the auspices of the Manawatu Province of the Farmers’ Union. Although the claim for compensated prices was first advanced by this executive, there has not previously been anything in the nature of planned meetings in this district such as was necessary throughout New Zealand in order to gain the general acceptance which it now enjoys. The campaign opened with a meeting at Whakarongo where a mixed audience assembled in spite of inclement weather with Mr P. V. Koehler in the chair. After covering the subject on lines already reported the lecturer dealt with a lengths run of questions in his usual manner. At the close Mr M. E. Knudsen moved and Mr E. Halligau seconded “That this meeting fully endorses the claim for compensated prices and undertakes to help in all possible ways.” This was carried unanimously, j At the Linton Public Hall on the 19th. a well attended meeting with Mr E. W. Harrison in the chair a similar resolution on the motion of the chairman seconded by Mr Curtis again without dissent. On the 20th instant a very fine meeting at Rongotea with Mr Roy Craig in the chair provided a keen discussion in the shape of very searching questions on all aspects of the matter. Nevertheless the motion of complete approval and support sponsored by the chairman and seconded by Mr J. Boyce was carried without one adverse vote. At Levin there was a good attendance which strained the accommodation provided with Mr Denton in the chair and the vote of support and approval which was carried unanimously was moved by Mr Denton and seconded by Mr T. Vincent. The Rangiotu meeting had a small attendance through clashing with a public holiday and sports gathering but the keenest discussion ensued. The chairman Mr W. H. Giuiblett moved the resolution of confidence and support which was seconded by Mr R. E. Dickson and carried. One of the audience, relucatant to give support, was promised future tuition by a local group of enthusiasts. The next meeting held at Ohau in the southern area was attended by the Provincial President Mr Neil Campbell, Mr E. Bond vice-president and the Provincial secretary Mr Plimmer, all of whom developed the surrounding topics of unity and loyalty to farmers’ principles. At the conclusion of the address Mr McLeavey the local branch president who occupied the chair moved a resolution committing the meeting to whole-hearted support of compensated prices and was seconded. There was no dissent. The Ohau branch of the Women Division had been responsible for the attendance of a good proportion of ladies and during an interval in the meeting, which, carried on till after midnight, they provided a dainty supper. On the2Gth ult. at Akautere a hastily improvised meeting provided a completely filled public hall, quite a third of the attendance being ladies. In moving the vote of thanks which carried full endorsement of the objective Mr Kyle expressed keen satisfaction that the Farmers’ Union had at last achieved a united front and a worthy object to light for. It should be the means of recalling the old enthusiasts and enrolling new ones into the Union. There was support given by acclamation and no dissent. On February 4 a meeting was held at the public hall, Foxton with the Mayor Mr M. E. Porreau in the chair. At the conclusion of a very interesting period of questioning following the address his Worship moved a resolution expressing heartiest approval and full support. This was seconded by Mr B. G. Gower and carried without dissent, la a vote of thanks and appreciation for the address Mr Doyle a local enthusiast of the Union said that with a clear economic objective such as the presented there should be a powerful accession of strength to the Farmers’ Union. At the Tokomaru public hall on the sth instant Mr White was in the chair and at the close of proceedings he moved a vote of complete accord with the principles set out and pledging the best efforts of all present to help the campaign along. This was seconded by Mr Wilton and carried without a dissenting vote. A satisfactory feature of this meeting was the coming forward to join the Union of quite a band of farmers from the audience. It is the opinion of the Organiser Mr O. Niederer that a branch of the Union will be formed in Tokomaru as a result of this meeting. On the Bth instant a meeting was held at Opiki and the wellknown Union keenness provided au audience equal to the seating accommodation. Mr B. Norman the Branch President was in the chair and as this district has been, for some years, keenly advocating the reform the discussion was advaneod and technical.

Mr L. H. Best iu moving a vote of support and approval said that long years of Uuiou work had taugil him the great lack of a clear and unified object with its resultant instability and inherent lack of strength. He had become convinced that the policy propounded would remove that handicap and wished it every success. This was seconded by Mr G. AUwright and carried unanimously and with acclamation. An acceptable supper rounded off the evening. An excursion to the North was undertaken on the 9th and an address was given at