THE FARMERS' UNION.

Shannon News, 26 August 1921, Page 3

THE FARMERS' UNION.

ITS FUTURE PROSPECTS. (By the Dominion Secretary.) Ono would almost need the imagina- : tion of a Rider Haggard to say what a are the future prospects of the Union. There can bo little doubt, however, that its usefulness is but the infantile stage. Much has been done, but .much mere remains to be done. Having put its hand to the plough, there is no turning back. The Union cannot rest until it has secured for the farmer every inducement to stay upon the land, and to bring the land to its highest state pf productivity. There also rests upon it, the responsibility of peopling this Dominion with a. virile and contented race. Its future is bright with proS lhise, and under judicious guidance—- ! which in the past has safely navigated ! it clear of the rocks and‘shoals —there j is no reason to doubt that it will oc* | cupy a position*- second only in import- ! ance to the elected rulers of the -Dominion. It is for the leaders of.the Union to see that it maintains its position \as a consultative body to the legislators of the future. Its prospects i be in proportion to the measures in which its duties are faithfully per? formed and an outline of its future work will be tje best indication of the position it should occupy when another decade —or perhaps two —has passed. 1 Tho Union must set itself :- 1 - - : (1) To obtain a secure tenure for present and future occupants of the land, a tenure which, in plain English, kail be thdi freehold, or, in other words, the fee-simple from the Crown, so that every occupant may have n persomJ interest in-the welfare i/Jus c.umtry. (U) To secure a fair distribution of taxation, so that each h'.Mihitaiit shu.l, share the cost of goVSVtmcer. in' proper tion to his ‘-take in the country. (3) To assist in tho defence of the both men and means.

: (4) To secure a systematic immigration policy, so that every acre of land may be brought under cultivation, and be made to produce to its highest capacity. <; (5) To oducate the people to se.k employment on the land Ijy making ruhal life'more attractive; to cducato the farm labourers and the farmers

themselves to farm under scientiile conditions, by practical! demonstration nod by lecture; by training the young m the rudiments of agriculture, and by. the establishment of agricultural colleges for the training of experts in agricultural science. ; (6) To educate the people to se. k employment on the laud by makng iural life more attractive; to educate The farm labourers s and the farmers Themselves "to farm under scientific conditions, by practical demonstration and by lecture; by training the young in the rudiments of agriculture, a.:d { by the establishment of . agricultural colleges for the training of experts in agricultural science. (6) To urge the development of Urn vast mineral resources of the Dominion. (7) To promote the establishment of the secondary industries without the aid of protective tariffs; by increasing and consequently cheapening the p oduction of raw material and increasing the army of consumers. and to promote preferential trade within tlio Empire. (8) To prepare New Zealand for the higher duties of Imperial citizenship and to qualify her for a place m the Council of Empire, which must ultimately come, about. (9) To make New Zealand the leading agricultural country of the world, both in quality of .produce an<j the calibre of its citizens.

(10) To aim for the union farmers, the union of its citizens, the union of States, and Parliament of Empire. : Truly, a noble list of possible nchiev > ments, the accomplishment of which depends on the single steps, taken from day to day, week to week, and year to year. The Farmers' Union has begun well, is acting well, and continuing along these lines must prove itself an organisation worthy of its power; a benefit to the Dominion, and especially to the great primary industry, Agriculture. -