FARMERS’ UNION.

Otaki Mail, 2 October 1922, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION.

MANAKAU BRANCH. The Dominion Organiser of the above was in Manakau lor three days last week, during which time nearly every farmer was visited and a number of new members enrolled, it is pleasing to notice that the dairy farmers arc beginning to realise they have reasons tor joining up with the Union. On September -’Uth Mr Buxton delivered an address to a fair attendance. The executive were pleased to see one lady present, and wish they would come more frequently and take more interest in Farmers’ Union matters. Iu many places, such as Rhodesia, the ladies take just as active a part and as big an interest as the men.

the President (Air Burnell) introduced Mr Buxton, and mentioned that at one time the speaker was a member of Parliament. Mr Burnell also reminded members of the euchre partv and dance to be held iu the Parish Hall on October 4th. Mr Buxton first mentioned the for- i mation of the meat pool towards the 1 close of last year. Until the meat j pool had been suggested the proprietary i reezing companies were offering 4>. d for lamb, within a few weeks of the formation of the meat * pool lamb had risen to 7jd. other meat.- in proportion. Referring to butter, Mr Buxton stated that last December butter-fat was being paid for. at Sd and 9d. and some factories sold their season’s output for lid. The National Dairy Association, combined

with the N.Z.F.U.. met Mr Massey in conference. The Imperial Government still held a quantity of butter with which the merchants at Horne intended to force down the new season's output. As a result of tab conference Australia and New Zealand combined and bought all the butter in store at Home and placed it on the market. It was all disposed of in a few weeks, and the new season’s butter was sold at a price which would return the producer a fairer wage. Mr Buxton further mentioned the ease of the fruit-grow-ers who had been so badly hit that unless they could get some financial assistance to help them over the fruit season many of theirs would be ruined. A; first Cabinet refused to render anr asristanee, but when the Fruit-Grow-ers’ Association combined with theFarmers’ Union their united efforts

were successful. Mr Buxton stated that there were some 40,000 labour union members, and only about 10,000 out of SO,OOO farmers had joined the Union. He made a strong appeal for all producers of primary products to combine and join the N.Z.F.U.. always remembering the organisation was nonpolitical and was for defensive and not offensive purposes. He mentioned that shipping freights had come down as a result of the agitation by the Farmers ! Union, and in dealing with the question of agricultural hanks Mr Buxton said where these had been is existence over a long period there had. sever bee* a failure. '