FARMERS' UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9398, 19 March 1909, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION. rress Association. Christchurch, March 18. The immigration question was the principal topic for discussion by the Canterbury executive of the New Zealand Farmers'Union this afternoon. Mr Evans said the Dominion Executive had asked for their opinion of the whole question and he moved “That this Executive is of opinion that there is any amount of-room in this district for bona fide farm hands and that the Executive give every encouragement to anybody that wants to send men or women cf that class to New Zealand.” He'had seen a number of immigrants who recently came to New Zealand from the Old Country and on th’e whole they were a very fair class. He had recently seen a number of married couples who were assisted [to New when they got , one or two years’ experience and collected a little money, they would be really good settlers. This was especially the case in regard to the last three batches, for they were really going to be good.colonists. He personally was prepared [to do his share in teaching these men and helping them to make* the countrj productive. He had previously drawn the attention of farmers, more especially station holders to the necessity of teaching men farm work. It was a continual complaint this year in the shearing business and one man had assured him that if the farmers did nft teach their young men they would be in the hands of Australians before' long. Mr Dixon said he agreed* with Mr Evans’ views, A farmer wanted his sheep shorn quickly aud wanted quick hands. The same applied to agricultural work. Mr Leadley said that ou the face of it* the question was a\ very difficult one. It certainly had been nibbled at by a number of organisations aud nothing very comprehensive had been done. There should be some united action by the body which knew the needs of the country and could approach the Government and carry out Jits ideas. If there was available labour the productiveness of land could be very largely increased. The unemployed cry could be heard in almost every centre, hot rural districts were languishing for want of suitable labour. Men who were here would net take up the country work. They could not get men to do work at reasonable remuneration. What had fifteen years ot Liberal administration done for them? TherelwereJJmillions of acres of.land unproductive and hundreds of men walking round the towns without work. Men here would not do necessary work, with the result that this winter would be the hardest winter the farmers had experienced for the last 20 years. The men deEl anded the highest wages and then grumbled at their wages. The Chairman said they wanted a representative body to take up this matter and what more representative body conld there be than their Union which was with the whole ot the Dominion? He was in favour of the motion.

The motion was carried. It was decided to write to the Premier and assure him that there was plenty of room for agricultural work ers infthis Dominion and ask him to recognise the >'mmigration scheme. .