N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 243, 20 February 1911, Page 3

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION

TARANAKI EXECUTIVE. The monthly mooting of the Executive of the Taranaki provincial branch of the Farmers' Union was held at Haw era on Thursday. Present: Messrs J. W. Jones (president), H. (i. Sergei!, 15. Marfell, W. Cleaver, R. Larabie, Jas. Davidson, J. Thomson, and F. J. Virgin.

BOYS FOR FARM WORK. A letter, dated February 0, was received from the Dominion secretary, stating that Mr. T. 15. Sedgwick, who recently brought out to New Zealand a batch of fifty boys for farm work, was now in Wellington, and intended shortly to visit hig charges in their new situations. Mr. Sedgwick had expressed a desire to meet farmers interested in bringing out boys for farm labor, and would like to give short lecture;* on the subject. The Executive was asked if it could arrange a meeting for him some time the following week. His matter would deal with: (1) Imperial immigration; (2) suitability of town boys for farm laborers; (3) further drafts of boys; and also the importation of domestic servants. The chairman said that the rural districts were very short of farm labor, during the milking season especially, and provided that the boys were of good character he favored their importation. lie thought it would be a move;in the right direction to hear what M& Sedgwick had to say, seeing that tlify had heard Mr. T. E. Taylor's side, and also that of the Labor Unions.

Mr. Lambic suggested that the lecture he given in some place on the railway line. It would, of course, be incumbent on the part of the -Union to bear whatever expense might be incurred. He remarked upon the selfish stand taken by those who would prevent those of their own flesh and blood from earning a living. Those who raised objection, he did not know how to describe; but they were not fit to be classed with their fellowmen. Any man who wanted work in New Zealand could get more than lie wanted, and there was room for another million of population. It was suggested that Mr. Sedgwick be asked (o lecture at Hawera, Stratford and New Plymouth, and Mr. Thomson favored making arrangements for a meeting at Hawcra first; others to be arranged if it proved successful, but it was stated that there would not be time after the first meeting to give sufficient I notice of those to follow.

The chairman said that if a lecture were delivered in Hawcra the Press would report it fully, and thus what he 'ad to say would be brought before all .Titerested.

Mr. Lambie moved that Mr. Sedgwick he asked to deliver a lecture in Haw-era. and this being seconded and meeting with general support, was carried. Mr. Sergei said that the Labor Department had not sent one of the boys from Home to Taranaki, and he thought it would be a good thing for Mr. Sedgwick to come to Taranaki and see how bovs would be treated here.

Mr. Lambic said he thought that the Union should not allow such reiiiarks as those made by Mr. T. E. Tay% about slavery in connection with tiio'/emplbvment of these boys without somfcireplf." The chairman said he had intended! to refer to the matter later. 5 ;: "'

Mr. Virgin thought.'lfiS^Stratford being more central would be more suitable than Hawcra for a meeting ,and an amendment to substitute Eltham for llawera was moved bv Mr. Marfell.

It was finally decided that a date be arranged for the lecture in some part of the district, and the president, vice-pre-sident and secretary were appointed a committee to make such arrangement* as were noccssarv.

Mr. Lambie moved that the first lee ture be delivered in Hawera.

An amendment was moved by Mr. Cleaver that the lecture be delivered in Eltham. This was supported bv Mr. Sergei, who said that a hall could be had at Eltham for 15s, while a hall in Hawera would cost. £2.

_ Mr. Davidson said thev did not want it to go out that the Union was too mean to meet the small expense incurred in furthering its objects. If it were a matter of money he would be prepared to give £1 himself and have the lecture in Hawera. The motion was carried. MR. T. E. TAYLOR CRITICISED. The report which had appeared in the Press containing a statement said to have been made by Mr. T. E. Taylor, with regard to the Sedgwick boys and white slavery, was read. The chairman said he was not a fighter generally, but when a man hits below the belt you must show that vou don't like it. Mr. Davidson said an investigation into the employment of boy labor in NewZealand was conducted some three years ago, and proved the charges to lie false.

'Hie chairman said that one of the olijects of hoy immigration was to relieve the wife and family of the farmer, who were frequently overworked, and in doing this they were finding employment for tlio.se who could nof obtain it in the Old Country, and were helping io make men of them. it was a slur on the Taranaki farmer* to say Unit a boy would be ill-treated by a farmer simply because he was away from his parents. The Labor Department would see that fair wages were paid, and lie did not think that the boys would be overworked, unless in an exceptional ca.se. Mr. Sergei said that in the first place they should protest against Mr. Taylor calling these young and carefully selected boys human failures, and tlie statement that they will degenerate into a servile elaw for the benefit of the farming community. Mr. Lambie said that Mr. Taylor was of the impression that there was only a certain amount of labor, and thought the chances of others would be reduced by the employment of these boys. As a matter of fact, the more work done on a farm the. more there was to be done. It was moved by Mr. Davidson and seconded liv Mr. Thomson: "That the Executive distinctly objects to Mr. T. K. Taylor classing Mr. Sedgwick boy immigrants as human failures, as entirely uncalled for, and the stigmatising of the farming community of Xew Zealand as white-slave drivers is an unjustifiable slander."

The motion was carried unanimously. NOXIOUS WEEDS. Air. Mnrfell Sil i,i i lO ] m \ l eim ied through the Press thai, a Vigilance Committee had been formed at Clifton for the purpose of keeping down noxious weeds, and he would like to know from Mr. Virsin what the results were. Mr. Virgin said the committee had only existed for a rear and he believed it would do good. Tf any member of the committee saw noxious weeds on any farm a notice was sent to the owner of the land, and if this failed to have the desired elect (he Inspector of Noxious Weeds was notified. PROVIXCTAL COXFEIiKXCB. Tt was decided that the next Provincial Conference be held at -Lnfrlcwood on May h 8 and Iff.—Tlawcra Star.