FEDERATION OF FARMING INTERESTS SUGGESTED.

Shannon News, 13 June 1924, Page 4

FEDERATION OF FARMING INTERESTS SUGGESTED.

DAIRY FARMERS' POINT OP VIEW. A suggestion to federate the whole of the primary producing interests of the Dominion was voiced at the district conference of the Dairy Farmers' Union last, week, when the FeilUing branch submitted the following remit for consideration: "That in the opinion of this branch the time has arrived to make a definite move for the establishment of a federation of all agricultural and pastoral producers, and urges the conference to take the matter up immediately." The mover (Mr J. I. Fox) said he wished it to be thoroughly understood that the D.F.U. would not be a party to any federation as suggested, if It meant the sinking of the individuality of the Union as an organisation "There is going to be created in this country." he said, "a producers' party —not from choice, but from necessity; for the producer is being driven by various interests, which, although not directly opposed,, are not exactly in touch with him, with the result that the latter is being continually squeezed out of any effective action." The speaker believed that if a vote of the producers could be secured on the question, the federation would be instituted, with consequent benefit to the primary production of the Do- j minion. '

Mr J. McFlarland (Feilding) seconded the remit and said the Farmers' Unioe was anxious to come to terms with' the Dairy Farmers' Union, with a view to an .equitable basis of organisation. Air J. H. Taylor (Levin) advanced a word of caution in regard to the conduct of the Federation and said the ropresentatiSh should be based upon the numerical financial membership of the various organisations constituting it. The president supported the principle of the federation, and expressed himself as sanguine in respect to' the effective working of the organisation. He suggested, further that the confer-, ence should, add a rcommendation that the executive be empowered to make overtures to the various other bodies concerned.

Mr O. W. Williams (Aokautere) said that the Dairy Farmers' Union had previously negotiated -unsuccessfully with the Farmers' Union, but he was still prepared again to bring the matter before the Dominion executive of the latter body.

The resolution, with the suggested addittion, was carried.