The Auckland Farmers' Union Executive.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 462, 1 April 1919, Page 4

The Auckland Farmers' Union Executive.

(To the Editor.) Sin, —1 have been somewhat puzzled by certain statements made in a sub-leader of your paper in criticism of the Auckland Farmers' Union Executive. For instance, the writer j says " the ' old gang ' have successfully contested any reform which would give the organisation pow.rj to replace them by new blood." At the last election of members, held t>-n months ago, eight members of tnej " old gang " retired, including such j well-known men as Capt. Colbeck, j and Messrs Banks and Bowler, ami eight new members were appointed : from all parts of the province. So I think it must be admitted that what-1 ever the fault of the Auckland Ex*)- i cutive they are not suffering from the want of new blood. Then, the j writer, referring to the braoche.-t, says " One symptom of their diocontent has been the formation of su'i- j provincial executives." tlow unj'ist this statemont is may bo gather d j from the fact that the lirst suggest; ui ' to foim sub provincial executive came from the "old gang" it.vJ i About live years ago a sub commi ■•e | was formed to draw up a report mi the organis itiou of the Union. Tii.it ' sub-committee suggested sub-provi I cial executives. It is true ihat i:<j! success of these sub-provincial ex cutives owed a great deal to the vt . / I in which they were taken up in tic] VVaikato. But }n>r« again it » n| Messrs Duxtienl a d Wynyard \\!r> j give it a lead- -both members of toe '■ old gang.' At present then N much criticism of the Union being ifTered, end j criticism is always to b>* welcomed. Rut let the criticism l.n judged l>y| the facts ollert !, and not !>y In' ts and innuendo Owing to th ; j great nnd trade organiMtions the T T nii n nevffllbad n« rmniy en. inies >t u and the latfer's'

favourite method of injuring the Union is by stirring up suspicion in the mind 6of the farmers. The writer of your sub leader referred to Mr Morgan's letter as "illuminating." What it illuminates he did not say.

I sincerely hope, however, that history is not going to repeat itself in the Waikato. Iu the early days o l ' the Union a section of the Waikato farmers were unable to grasp the idea of union ; they separated, and formed a. Farmers' Club. The secession of that body kept the Union back for many years. We do not want to see the Union turned it> to a mere collection of local farmers' clubs, and all supporters of the Union should strenuously oppose aiiy attempt to split up the Union. Yours, etc, J. S. MONTG-OMERIE, Late member "old gang." Karaka, March 30, 1919.