MR MORRISON’S GARDEN PARTY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9167, 10 June 1908, Page 5

MR MORRISON’S GARDEN PARTY.

At the invitation of Mr Morrison, chairman of the Halcombe branch of the Farmers’ Union, a number of the members and their wives and several visitors from other districts met at his residence at Tokoraugi yesterday. They were hospitably entertained by their host, assisted by the Misses Morrison. Several Maori children danced prettily for the entertainment of the visitors a poi, a variation of the cake walk, and hakas; Misses Hanlon, Quairie and Morrison gave songs, and Mr L. Pleasants a recitation, the programme, as a whole, being very pleasing. Everything possible was done by Mr Morrison and family to make the meeting pleasing and with success.

Mr W. F. Jacob said lie had risen to thank Mr Morrison for entertaining them there so well that day, and he would like to point out that incidentally Mr Morrison’s invitation to the' members of the Halcombe branch of the Farmers’ Union and the members of their family, had been tiie best answer to the remarks of one or two papers who had insinuated that Mr Morrison’s influence and interest in the Union were likely to cease. Mr Morrison was showing, not only that his interest in the Union was unabated, but also the qualities of a large minded man. In this respect he was an examole to his fellow farmers. There were too many petty jealousies among them. One surmised that the big farmers had too much influence in the Union, another that the leaders favoured the Government, and still another that they favoured the Opposition. Their aim should he to support that platform that would be conducive to the welfare of their industry. Organised labour saw to it that a labour candidate fully supported their platform and and —when a representative—voted for their interests. In the country the interests of the farmer and the labourer were the same, for the latter was looking forward to the time when he would farm his own land. If the farmers acted with the same unanimity as the labourers of the towns their representatives could intimate to the head of the Government then in office, whether Ward or Massey, that if a certain course were not followed thoir vote would he against the Government and that Government, whatever was its political name, would go out office. Mr Jacob concluded by calling for applause for Mr Morrison, which was heartily given. Mr E. H. Grabb said it would he unwise for the Union to identify itself with any shade of politics professed or advocated by any of its members. Now when it had been decided to take a political stand it would ha necessary to determine on what grounds that stand should he. The politics of the Union, iu fact, should he defined before nominating : candidates. When the platform of the Union was drawn up there was no mention of troubles with farm labourers. Therefore to meet the now conditions that had developed it would be necessary to broaden the political platform of the Union, otherwise it would he left to the definition of perhaps half-a-dozen men. At the last meeting of the Executive he had moved in that direction and ho anticipated that the matter would be referred to the branches by the Colonial Conference. Mr Millar, Minister of Labour, had stated authoritatively that there was no intention of removing farm labourers from the operation of the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. It might or might not bo to the benefit of the labourers: that was for themselves: to judge, but it behoved the Executive to watch legislation in this matter so as to avoid, as much as possible, friction between the employers and employees. He joined with Mr Jacob iu thanking Mr Morrison for the enjoyable time he had given them. ( Applause.) Mr Morrison, in introducing Mr Burcham, said it had been said that the latter was a socialist, but he for one liked to hear all sides though he would try to combat Mr _Burcham’s views if he advocated socialism. Mr Burcham said, though not a member of the Farmers’ Union, he was ready to admit that by unity they could best forward their special interests, but he would like to point out that there was still greater interest than that of the farmers as a class, and that was the interest of the whole community. He had not intended to mention socialism but for the remarks of Mr Morrison. His definition of socialism was the united action of all for the benefit of all, and according to this definition there was even now a socialistic tendency in the whole legislation of the country, as indicated in! the control of public services, like the railways and post office. iThey might make for the particular benefit of the individual but progress in this country should he in the direction of advancing that of the whole people. Mr J. MacDonald, secretary of the Halcombe branch cOf Famrers’ Union, wished farmers generally would take more interest in the Union. Sometimes it was the large farmers who held aloof because there were not enough of their kind taking a lead in a local branch, and iu other cases the smaller farmers were apt to regard the movement as one for the benefit of the large farmers. He advised all farmers to become active members. Mr MacDonald concluded by thanking Mr Morrison on behalf of the branch for his hospitality. Mr Morrison said lie would be pleased if the meeting that day wonld have a little effect in helping to assist to unite the farmers. He thought more should be done to make country life pleasant and attractive to the young. Speaking on the matter of socialism he said there was an example of it among the Onepuhi Maoris. Some of them were energetic men who wanted to improve their position, and as a first step to that end were desirous of getting their land individualised, but this had hitherto failed. Hia eyes hadibeen opened as to the views and aims of the socialists by their orators in the park at Christchurch and other places. He had heard farmers described as no better than highway robbers. If that was the kind of socialism favoured by Mr Burcham he wanted nothing to do with it, and, in his opinion, if brought into practical effect as at Onepuhi it would be the country. Speaking of the need of unity among Tanners, Mr Morrison naicl he knew for a fact that slops were being taken, hr bad been, S.o form a Drovers’ Union in the district, for, under the impression, apparently, that he w a drover, he

to join it. It was not the formation of "the Union he objected to, but the ability of seveu men calling themselves a Union to take upon themselves the responsibility of creating a dispute. Referring to his non re-, election on the Executive of the Union, Mr Morrison said it had not disturbed him in the slightest, for he looked upon it as a right ;of the Conference to choose their own representatives. He had been sorry, however, to see such a useful member as Mr omitted from the choice. The speaker also referred to the good services of Mr Jacob, who, he said, had done good work for the Union. The speaker concluded by expressing his faith In the good future of the country. Mr Owen Pleasants hoped the pleasant meeting that day would benefit the cause of unionism lunoa g the farmers, not only for political purposes, but also for the improvement of the industry. Ho took it that one of the chief objects of the Union was to ascertain how best to render their land more productive. In Mr Morrison they had a real good chairman and his right hand man was their efficient secretary, Mr MacDonald. He considered as unionists and farmers they would be doing their duty both to themselves and the country in acting for the good of their industry and by rendering life on the laud pleasing to the rising generation. Mr Pleasants was partly referring to the dance for the young people which followed the Garden Party.