LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9160, 1 June 1908, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE ’.FARMERS’ UNION.

r;3 RELATION TO POLITICS?

Sir,—l am not a member of the? Farmers’ Union, no fault of mine,, as I was not £only desirous once of being so, but was quite prepared todo my humble little towards supporting the movement, but I refrained from allowing myself to be nominated after the very pointed remarks of a very prominent and I admit useful member, that “Livestock; Auctioneers should not be allowed to belong to it.” why I could not see, as the more prosperous the farmer is, the better for the Live Stock Auctioneer, and I think the latter’s business experience would often be found useful, and certainly the farmers’ and live stock auctioneer’s interests are identical. Though not a member, I cannot refrain from commenting upon the ’excellent motion of Mr S. J. Carman at the recent conference in Feilding, that the Farmers’ Union should thke a firm stand against the Socialisticparty. It, has apparently always been thought the Farmers’ Union should not take any political stand, there I certainly disagree, and if there is any one Union that should take a firm political stand for the good of the country it is the Farmers’ Union.

Is it not an admitted fact that the’ prosperity of a country comes mainly from the productions of its soil, and are not those who till the same, the main artery of a country, and consequently ‘should not they have a considerable voice in the governing power of it? I note from figures given at the Conference at Fielding, that Counties and Town Boards’ valuation came to 144 milliions, and that of the towns to only 74 millions, and that the former paid in rates no less than £77,440 as compared with the; towns, who only paid £36,000, that is the Counties and Town Boardspaid more than double. ■ This surely shows it is quite time the Farmers’ Union rose to the occasion of the coming election next December to demonstrate the power they by their rights ought to enjoy. There may be, and doubtless are, some measures where entirely opposite views will be taken by members of the Farmers’ Union, and at this period it would be well for the farmers to consider whether itr would not be wise, at any rate for the present to put on one side those disputed measures, and give their entire support to sensible and reasonable labour laws, so essential for tire prosperity of the farmers and hence the country generally. There ought to be ;uo two opinions aboufo that, and here is where Socialism-, if it gets its power will be.so detrimental to the farming community. There is no doubt about it, how is the time for the Farmers’ Union to take their stand and establish the position to which their interests in the country entitle them, and if they would only work together throughout the colony and decide to vote, only for such candidates as would support the measures the Farmers’ Union by their decision at their various conferences have themselvesdecided to be most beneficial for their pursuits, and the~good of the country, such would have a very; decided effect upon the future of Socialism. Though the Farmers’ Union lias clone good in the past, they have a far better opportunity of doing better in the, future, if they will only work together and'acknowledge .that they must now take their political stand in .the country, the success of which so much depends on reasonable and sensible laws, which

will enable farmers to take the most out of the soil so necessary for the ultimate prosperity of th? country. At the coming election next December, in every electorate the Farmers’ Union should have a candidate,.

and where two or three are anxious for the honour, the Farmers’ Union in that electorate should meet and choose the one whom they deem would look after their interests best, and those who are not so chosen, if they have the spirit of the Farmers’" Union at heart, ought to show their chivalry by doing their utmost to get. the chosen candidate returned. Though the appeal here I have ventured to make might he taken as applying to the Farmers’ Union only, I wish it to apply equally to all farmers who are not members of the Union, as they are equally interested in the result aimed at. —Yours faithfully, EDWARD GORTON. Raugiatea, Bulls, May 29th, 1908..