N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 458, 18 March 1919, Page 4

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

i (To the Editor) Silt, —As one who has for many years been an advocate of a strong organised body of farmers I crave some of your valuable space to discuss the present situation. It has been evident for sone time past that the Auckland Provincial Executive with its Sub-Provincial districts, haß been going from bad to worse, until now its affairs appear to have reached a climax. In a circular dated February 2(5, the Provincial president of the Union says: "Some time ago I issued a confidential circular with the approval of the Provincial Executive, calling the attention of members to the present unsatisfactory position of the union . . . with a view to remedying tho present failure of our efforts to organise tho farmers." Mr Boddie further says •' the figures given in the circular referred to, both as regards membership and finance, are so entirely unsatisfactory that I have no need to emphasise further the seriousness of the position." The president then proposes to collect members' subscriptions through the medium of the various co-operative companies throughout the province. He further proposes to launch a newspaper at a cost of £6,950 per annum, and to pay an organiser £BOO for a year. Everything the Auckland Provincial Executive proposes seems to me to be with a view of giving itself a new lease of life. To my mind the Auckland Provincial Executive should bo promptly abolished. it has always boeu subject to tbe bane of city influence, and the " wild cat" schemes of unpractical men. While it has been in control of affairs it lias not only exhausted tho patience of the farmer, but it has done much to shake his confidence in the possibility of a compact union. The Executive appears to have failed to realise that organisation is a science, and, while probably imbued with the best of intentions, it should, more or less, utand down in futuie As a matter of fact, tho provincial system has always I Men a mi.Vhke and a useless oik umheranee In my opinion, the various branches should now reorganise in groups and deal direct with tho I) nrnion ceutre. Any reference to tho Auckland Provincial Executive may appear harsh, but this is uo time for sentiment, and in the interest of tho Union a change of system and leadership is imperative Yours, etc, J. IJ. P MORGAN. " Pukeroro." Cambndge, March (>, 1919.