N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 343, 8 January 1918, Page 1

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Sub Provincial Area Formed At the meeting of delegates of various branches of the New Zealand Farmers' Union held in the Masonic Hall, Pukekohe, on Friday a^ nom last, a decidedy optimistic spirit prevailed which augurs well for the future welfare of the local Union R. W. Johns, President of the Mauku branch, was Chairman, and among others present were Messrs J. W. Johns, T. B. Hiwley, H. Keith (Pukekohe), A. Gummer and E. Neal (Buckland), French and Ramsey (Bombay), Walker and Harrison (Kama Rama), C Hodgkin&on, Haycock and Goodear (Glenbrook), E. C. Cuff and M. Crispe (Mauku), W. L West, P. Hayes andH. 0. Mellsnp (Waiuku), with Mr Tancred Cooper, the Provincial Organising Secretary. The Acting-Secretary (Mr T. B. Hurley) reported that he had received favourable replies to his enquiry whether the various branches were in favour of the formation of a Sub Provincial urea at an annual subscription of £l These augmented by the personal expression of opinion by the delegates present in favour of the proposals showed that there was an almost unanimous agreemeut on the subject. Mr Gummer, representing Buck land, p tinted out that his branch was (strongly of opinion that the minimum subscription should be £1 and was inclined to advocate a higher figure, while Mr Walker thought that a subscription of three or four guineas would enable the Union to carry out more effective work. An informal discussion took place on the question of organisation and the most effective means /'to be adopted to secure a growing and powerful membership. Mr Cooper, in whom the delegates have implicit confidence, mentioned that a paid local organiser was necessary to devote his whole time to the wcrk of the Union so that the apparent lethargy on the part of the farming community might be aroused and stimulated iuto greater activity. The speaker explained that in the Hamilton and King Country districts the response to his advocacy of the Union had been so encouraging that there had been a phenomenal increase in the number of branches It was largely a matter of an awakening of interest. The Chairman thought that if they could obtain sixty per cent of the farmers to become members the remainder would soon follow. '"There must be no back," said the Chairman. He pointed out that farmers were working ah.nit three hours out of fourteen for the benefit of the middleman. There were toj many people living on the farmers and it was time that farmers were aroused to action. In this connection he recalled the need for the amalgamation of interests to combat the high freights and injustices from which they suffe:ed and felt sure that when once the farmers fully recognised the power of co-operation they would strongly support the Union.

Arising out of a suggestion made by one delegate that a lower subscription might produce more members, which prop isil di i not receive much support, Mr C« oper explained that to bean assured success a subscription of less th in £1 was uot to be recommended as it would piobably become necessary to provide a fighting fund. With this explanation the meeting agreed. Mr Walter Johns remarked that they had not merely to consider the question of providing sufficient money to carry out the sub area scheme but to provide a lighting fund to'enable the Union to watch after the interests of the farmer both here and in the Old Country. More money would m»an a stronger organisation. Mr Cooper stated that when the Uni> n was weil otganised and a greater power they woul 1 be ab'o to deal mine effectively with both the New Zealand and the Imperii! Governments on questions connected with the sale of produce and other matters of great concern to the furmers.

Af'or further discussion, on the motion of Mr Walter Johns, secondtd by \lr 1) litiyo.*, it W'ts uuaniiii' u-ly resolved tlint a Sub Provincial area should be formed with l'ak<kohe as the c ntre

. J .d\ice was then t from Mr Cooper on details n-laiive to the proposed appointment of a Im-a. ■ bruin liej in v-uioiu districts v lui-.h Mr i\t p"i cheeifuily give, Mi t iisp-) ciied S'veial distii'tv. li.-? f»'!t Miie branches (to .Id in . -t ilili-i.e l I'l l t \[> "sse 1 ilio opinion iii i i in: r \v i i • ne 1 o 1 to --.•li • • • •..! y ; e -; o . • 1 i i, i Im.* ' i.:; ■■ linn •' i 11 i]-.,\iii ''ii i l.i-iih ; m-ji. i■ .ned ii . ■"> pet • i: 1 tlih i .M.ier- in 1 ' eir r «ik I, l.ni r '.,l to ihf 10-.i ii'i'.i..'!i ;.nd (loin experi 'l.c" lie tii. iliiit lun |. (.mi lies slioiild !.•* -c.iltmod about a ditferfiit dWtrict.i a- farmi-i.-e .ulil i hen diseusi matters of local iiiteies s .-moiig themselves, which W IV liO a'wiVslll i iIS" Wheio til- y had t i fr '.vol to a larg r branch ■ oiiw u.its a»-ty. iSinuil branches in th-- vari -lis centres created deeper inten st Mr di llsop also favoured the fSta' lisliineut of Mil .11 branch 's. Mr [). Hayes u-ged that farmers should " talk up " the claims of CO-i.p-la:inii and pleaded for more lovi.i y ill that w y It was b) being i yal to the co-operative

.spirit that their ultimate aim would be achieved. Farmers must support and stand by their own organisation, said Mr Hayes, and the failure of such loyalty in the past had meant that they were as a class not not ao powerful as they ought to be. In a common sense practical speech Mr v Hayes emphatically asserted that it was only by supporting their own Union that they could obtain the success which they desired. He advocated that farmers should be educated up to the claims and advantages of their Union by individual interest and expressed himself strongly in favour of a good reserve or fighting fund. With reference to the formation of the Sub Provincial area Mr Cooper explained that one delegate from each branch would form the Executive for the area and in this way all questions brought forward by any branch would be dealt w.th by such Executive. In order that the latter could commence opeiations it would be necessary that such delegates should be appointed by all the branches as sooon as possible In whatever question was brought forward from uny branch the delegates would receive the sympathy of the Executive and in this way an individual's request through the delegate would be considered and voted upon. After some discussion relating to the business to be done prior to the election of the Executive it was decided to meet on Friday, February Ist, for that purpose. Mr T. B. Hurley was appointed to act as secretary pro tem. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Cooper for his valuable advice and assistance and to the Chairman for presiding.