Farmers’ Union Affairs

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 74, 18 June 1927, Page 24

Farmers’ Union Affairs

Fwenty-eight Years’ Progress Support Wanted TWENTY-EIGHT years ago the New Zealand Farmers’ Union came into being. It has accomplished much and received little but abuse for its efforts. The man on the land has much to learn from his friends in Labour circles, for only when he realises that union is strength, will the Farmers’ Union command the attention due to the body representing the most important industry in the land to-day.

IN the late ’nineties New Zealand was just recovering from the period of depression which preceded the coming into power of the Seddon Government, when Mr. A. G. C. Glass conceived the idea of a Dominion-wide union of farmers. At the next Dominion conference of the union members will be called upon, following a remit from the Auckland Provincial Executive, to consider if something cannot be done to commemorate Mr. Glass’s pioneer work. Like many other farmers in those days, Mr. Glass earned the greater part of his ready cash by working on the roads. The contract system of roadmaking, introduced by the Seddon Ministry, gave many men just that margin of surplus necessary to enable them to carry on and execute the required improvements. Many tales are related of the difficulties confronting Mr. Glass when he

first started out to rope in the farmers under the one big union idea. When he placed his first order with the printers for 500 enrolment forms he was considered 50 per cent, optimistic and the other part fool. Before he had finished working the Dominion, however, he had established branches in all parts and over 20,000 farmers had signed up. The inaugural meetings were held in the North, but the first Auckland provincial conference was held in Auckland in 1899, when, Mr. W. Armstrong presided over an attendance of about 60 delegates. The first Dominion conference was held about a year later in Wellington. Mr. (now Sir James) Wilson presided. Several years later he vacated the presidential chair to give place to Mr. G. W. Leadly, of Ashburton, who, in turn, gave way to the present holder, Mr. W. J. Poison. The union was not fated to retain the original 20,000 members long, and the second year saw the roll stand at about 6,000. From then on it h£,s steadily increased, and to-day, while not as well supported as could be reasonably expected, again exceeds the 20,000 mark. THINGS DONE Enough for the formation of the union, however. What counts .is, has it justified its existence? Has it played an active part in bringing about reforms which have lightened the lot of the man on the land? The freehold policy of the present day is largely due to the efforts of the union, according to Mr. A. Ross, president of the Auckland provincial district. The Ward Ministry brought forward a proposal to stop further sales of Crown lands, and, by a gradual absorption of all privately owned lands,

establish a universal system of leasehold tenure. The union ran a strong campaign against the idea, and it was allowed to drop. Under the heading of things done must also be placed the establishment of the produce control boards. The union was active in agitating for their formation, and it was largely due to its efforts that the boards came into being. To-day the union still agitates for the setting up of additional boards, including a Wool Board and a Blackberry Control Board. PRESENT DAY ACTIVITIES Present day activities embrace all farming problems, but the chief slogan of the union is “cheaper goods and cheaper money.” Fighting for this it stresses the need for the establishment of an agricultural bank and a gradual reduction of the protective tariff. Much

credence must be given to the union’s claim that, while each protective measure benefits a certain section of the community, the farmer, selling on the world’s competitive markets, is the only man who cannot pass on the increased cost of living. A FARMERS' PARTY At the first Auckland conference held way back in 1900, Capt. Colbeck brought forward a proposal that the farmers set up a political party to represent their interests in the House. He was cried down. The Seddon Government was too strong. At the last election the Country Party put several candidates in the field, but they did not officially represent the union. At the last conference of Auckland provincial delegates in Wliangarei it was decided by a large majority to again bring the question before the Dominion conference and a committee is now considering the constitution of a platform. Throughout its history abuse and derision has been hurled at the heads of all those actively connected with the union. They' have been accused of representing only a small section of the farming community and the executives of wasting time on trivial questions which gain little kudos for themselves or of good for the farmer. Wherever the union has failed, however, the farmer has only himself to blame. To-day it requires effort to colect subscriptions and its membership is too low. If the farmers want to accomplish anything worth while they must take a greater ir-fterest in union affairs. The weakest Labour union in the country could not maintain its existence as a useful body with such halfhearted support from those it sought to benefit. —R.G.