TYPES AND INCIDENTS WHEN FARMERS CONFER

Shannon News, 8 July 1927, Page 1

TYPES AND INCIDENTS WHEN FARMERS CONFER

The Canny Scot and the Loud Speaker A LOT OF GOOD FELLOWS The recent conference at Rotorua was rather a study for the onlooker, writes “Wayfarer" in the “Auckland Star,” the varying types that were there, the little incidents, the little laughs, the burning earnestness of soipe would-be reformers with a blind belief in their deals who would upset the whole economic fabric. One or two stand out —the chairman, rather dohr, but keeping the gatherings to the point—farmers rights and wrongs.. He spoke in short crisp sentences but with' the burden of a heavy year upon him, he hardly ever smiled, and puffed away at his pipe with the same dour determination. Quite opposite was a Scot who never failed to rise on every possible occasion, and at the sound of the broad Highland brogue all heads were turned in expectation of some laugh and that Scot never failed with his delightful humour. Sound common sense also pervaded his observations; he was on his feet about the “bad” year and told how that he was ono of ten boys and how his old father used to try and find -t who was the guilty one in any escapade. Of course no one was ever guilty, so the old man would say “Ah weel, I’ll spank the whole lot, and I'll be sure to get the guilty one.” Our Scottish friend said he did not know which director to blame, so ‘He’d cane the whole lot,’ then he finished by congratulating 'the directors “That the loss might have been waur.” “ Speak up, Please.”

Another character could be termed the "loud speaker;” his great voice boomed -out with wonderful logic on every subject. Once when his voice was on the crescendo, a wag somewhere chipped in with a "speak up please.,” this broke up the crowd and even’the chairman smiled, but the “Loudspeaker” was not to be outdone, cupping his hands to his lips he literally yelled out strong words above the uproar. Yet another one attracted attention —he could be dubbed the “Firebrand.” Not up quite so often, when he did get up aggression was in every part of his being—his legs stood out, his lower chest stood out, his breast stood out, his chin was prominent, his nose followed in aggression, while his black hair stood on end — a fighter, a blind fighter, a bitter fighter, and if anyone as much as smiled, the resultant glare extinguished the gleam.

The ( whole crowd was generally a good lt>t of fellows, but- led, every bit as much as they think the Labour unionist (their pet aversion) is led by the Labour loader and every bit as bitter as extremists are. Talking with some of them over dniner after a particularly bitter discussion on the Press these fellows laughed and said, “Oh, Mr Newspaperman, don’t you worry, that’s only one man’s opinion, we don’t agree with all that stuff,” and yet they all voted for the remit mentioned, which shows that they are run by their leaders quite as much as the Labour people they so despise. Such terms could well be used for the farther unionist —“sold to tho union body and soul.”

How Far do They Get.

The most affecting moment was the close of Mr .Ground’s address, a defence of the “Board.” Drawing to a close the speaker got personal. It was almost lik e a valedictory talk, as in touching' and eloquent words he pleaded for the person to be forgotten in the ideals ho had tried to expound, and then he sat down'and the crowd rose and cheered and sung and cheered again, till Mr Grounds could not reply, for his feelings overcame him. It was touching—it was a genuine tribute to the honesty of purpose of Mr Grounds.

Seriously one wonders how far do these conferences get. One prominent farmer interpolated, “Oh, Mister, it gives them a chance to blow off hot air, and then go back, to their little Peddlingtons and tell them there how straight they talked to the directors. They would have no tricks, oh no, not them.” Perhaps there is a good deal of truth in that, for really to sum up the conference, what has been done ? A few remits carried, a few remits lost, a few grievances blurted out, and a jolly good yarn with old friends between sessions. But what has been done?