N.Z. Farmers’ Union.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4472, 7 October 1909, Page 4

N.Z. Farmers’ Union.

♦ ITS ACHIEVEMENTS

The following circular, showing what

has been performed by the New Zealand Farmers’ Union since its inception, is being issntd to the -various branches by the executive of the Otago Union :—ln response to numerous requests asking for publication of a list of the achievements of the union, we have pleasure in enumerating a brief record of the excellent work performed on behalf of the farming community of New Zealand. There are many

reasons whioh induce us to comply with the request, and among these, and by no means the least, is the earnest desire of many loyal members of the union to convince their neighbours of the absolute necessity for the combination of the farmers for mutual protection and for the advancement of the primary industry. Then, again, a few hard facts are the best weapons with which to silence our detractors. The penalty of success is too often calumniation, and the remarkable success of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union has aroused much enmity and jealousy on the part of a few small sections of the community, due, no doubt, to a lack of knowledge of the aims and objects of the union. That the union, in a few short years—less than a decade—has attained such an influential position, and has been able to mould or modify much of the recent legislation, speaks volumes for its usefulness, and for the wisdom displayed in the fairness of its requests. Since the inception of the , union a great change has taken place. A few years ago the union was referred to as a “ body of discontents,” and now legislators freely acknowledge it as a voice of the country, and eagerly look for guidance in matters affecting the great producing industries of the Dominion. Many of the achievements of the union being of a negative quality, it would be impossible to tabulate them; such as restraining the tendency of socialistic legislation. Lowell has said that public opinion is like the constant pressure of the air, which nobody can see. The union has been the means of forming publio opinion on many of the questions of the day without the public knowing it. The branch meetings voice the local requirements, the provincial confer, ences the large questions, and the Dominion conference the views of the farmers of New Zealand. These opinions are put before the public in our own organ, the Farmers’ Union Advocate, and through other channels, and soon become absorbed by the public. The executive keeps the farmers’ opinions before the people until their object is attained. Following are a few results :

(1) The systematic organisation of farmers (a) for mutual protection, (b) for the advancement of agricultural, pastoral and other branches of farming, (c) for the better education of rural children, (d) for the proper recognition of the importance of the farming industry. (2) Special concessions iu the rates of fire and accident insurance. (3) The passing of the Mutual Fire Insurance Act, and the establishment of farmers* mutual insurance companies. (4) A reduction in the cost of manures to members of the union. (5) The abolition of the sheep tax, resulting iu a saving of £20,000 a year to farmers. (6) The establishment of co-operative freezing works, butter factories, sheep-dipping yards, etc. (7) The combined purchase of sacks, wpolpacks, manures, binder twine, and other requirements at reduced rates. (8) Concessions scoured from stock auctioneers. (9) Fair compensation secured for condemned stock. (10) The free carriage of agricultural v me on railways. (II) The battening and regular cleansing of stock trucks. (12) The improvement of dairy herds. (13) Importation of milking ■trains of Shorthorn sires obtained. (14) The installation of manu- ial experiments by the Government. (16) The recognition by farmers of the benefits of experimental stations, and the organisation of excursions thereto. (16) The extension of experimental work toco-operative experiments conducted by farmers under the supervision of Government experts. (17) The extension of climatological knowledge and practical recording of rainfalls, etc., by the school children. (18) The recognition by the Education hoards of the need for agricultural instruction, and the introduction of Nature study by means of school gardens; by technical classes; to teach wool-classing, etc., by practical demonstration. (19)

The seeming of the hearty co-operation of the Agricultural Department for the conduct of experiments in roots, cereals, grasses, and herd testing. (20) Arrang ing lectures on special subjects of interest to fanners. (21)-The passing of the Bush 1 and Swamp Lands Act, the Fertilisers' Act. (22) The:appointment of rep: ssentatives of local bodies upon Assessment Courts. (23) The recognition of the union by Act of Parliament, the president having been appointed to the board to consider disputes re the importation of agricultural machinery. (24) The concession of the principle of freehold tenure as applied to Crown lands. (25) The withdrawal of the famous “ McNab ” Land Bill.. (26) Thelopening up of Native lands for settlement. (27) Secured the return of a large number of members of Parliament pledged to support the platform of the union. (28) Established the union as an important element in moulding public opinion. (29) Secured the exemption of agriculture from unreasonable demands of the Farm Labourers’ Union. (30) The publication of a newspaper gowned and controlled by farmers) which supplies free veterinary advice, reports of experiments, voices the opinions of the union, and generally keeps farmers acquainted with the political, social, and commercial doings throughout the Dominion. There are hosts of other achievements, such as the better marketing of produce, the immigration of suitable farm labour and domestics, and the constant watching of anything of benefit or inimical to the farmers’ interests, and the facilities fo'r prompt aetion ''by branches, provincial executives. Dominion executive, and an advisory committee, ever ready to acquaint local bodies, and departmental administration, and the head of the Government with the needs of the fanning community—a great help to the Government of the day to at once obtain the views of the farmer. It must, therefore, be apparent to everyone that the usefulness of the union is but opening up,, and all that is needed is the unanimous