N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 173, 20 January 1912, Page 2 (Supplement)

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

TARANAKI PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. The usual monthly meeting of the Taranaki Provincial' Executive of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held at Hawera on Thursday. Present: Messrs. J. W. Jones (president), J. Swindlehurst, R. Lambie, F. J. Virgin, W. Cleaver, J. Davidson, R. Dunn, J. Thompson, A. Voullaire, and A Hunter. BRANCH SUBSCRIPTIONS. The Auckland Provincial Executive wrote asking what method the Taranaki Executive adopted in fixing branch subscriptions. They understood that the subscriptions were levied on laid values and charged according to size of holdings.—The secretary stated that he had replied, explaining that in this province each branch fixed its own subscription, and that no rule was laid down for the fixing of the subscription.—The secretary's reply was approved. AGRICULTURAL SCHOLARSHIP. A letter was received from the Wanganui Board of Education stating that the amount contributed towards the establishment of agricultural scholarships was £25. Scholarships each of the value 'of £5 had .been awarded to the following boys on condition that they continue their studies during the next year in the agricultural course at a technical or distriet high school:—Herbert Hawera; Stanley Marsh, Rangi Hiroti, Marton; Gerald Levi#?), Feilding; Edward Abraham, Taihanp. The Board had: also awarded qtyt' glf its funds scholarships of £5 each to the following girls to enable them to tinue their studies in the dowe&tie course for another year:—Leah Gpiildj Feilding; Ethel Kennedy, Patea; Doris Henderson, Hawera;( Ivy jSmith, Taihape. Mr. Dunn remarked that the contributions to the scholarships were not liberal. The secretary was instructed to forward the £5 contributed by members of the executive. ORGANISATION OF THE UNION. A letter was received from Mr. F. J. Virgin intimating his intention of resigning from the executive, r Mr. Virgin, who was present, explained his Reason for the step was that the branch he had represented was in a languishing condition, also he had of late come to the conclusion that the union, as at present constituted, was on wrong lines. The interests of dairy i farmers and sheep farmers were not identical, hence they did not unite for ! a common purpose. j Mr. Davidson moved and Mr. Thomson seconded, that Mr. Virgin be ask«d to | reconsider his intention to resign. Speaking to the motion, Mr. Davidson said an organiser or organisers should be appointed by the Dominion Executive, each branch or executive to contribute its share to the expenses. The union had done good work and he hoped Mr. Virgin- would reconsider his intention. Mr. Dunn said if the federated labor' unions were going to go as they had been going it would cause the farmers to combine more strongly. Mr. Jones said he did not see eye to eyie with Mr, Virgin in his statement.' Although the interests of the sheep farmer and the dairy farmer were not identical, still they were both producers, and as such they should stand or fall together. Legislation that was good for the one was good for the other. He was candidly of opinion that the time was coming when a better condition of things would obtain. He thought the farmers would wake up to the seriousness of the situation, because if they did not federated labor would rule. The union had moved slowly, but still it had done good work.

Mr, Virgin hoped the executive would not misunderstand his position. He believed the union had done good work, but he hoped for better things if there was some compelling community of interest among its members. Mr. Hunter was inclined to the opinion of Mr. Virgin, and thought the compelling force should come from the bottom, and not from the top. . The motion was carried and Mr. Virgin intimated his intention of remaining on the executive.

Mr Davidson moved that the Dominion executive be asked to appoint an organiser or organisers for the whole of the North Island, and that each executive contribute share of expenses. La , mbi e supported the proposal heartily, but was of the opinion that each provincial district should have its! own organiser. He thought that the prize essays had done » lot of good. The federation of labor would compel tamers 'and other employers to combine, lhe reason that the union was not better supported was the apathy of the farmers If they were asked to join he believed they would. If farmers' would [combine and put their hands in their pockets they need not be afraid of any other organisation in New Zealand. W 7 y for w]lat was just. Mr. Thomson was in favor 'of the proposal .but thought there should not be too many organisers. If tji6y had one good man to start with he would be satisfied.

. Mt - Cleaver had pleasure in supporting the proposal. At present the lack of | enthusiasm was disheartening. He beheved farmers could not be persuaded until they were further harassed. They should stick together and to their flag m spite of all their buffetings. Mr. Dunn also heartily supported the motion. He felt certain if an organiser were appointed he would pay for himself | by the increase in membership. It would be doubled. If, in the near future.

I they found some ships with their produce on board stuck up, as had been the case in the Old Country, they would realise the necessity to organise. The motion was carried unanimously. RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT. Mr. Jones stated that he would .1»# leaving the province in the course of two months and would have to tender his resignation as president of the executive. Mr. Davidson said that as Mr. Jones would not be going till after next meet- > ing, he would like that his resignatio* should not taike effect till then. He moved that Mr. Jones' resignation be acaccepted as from the 20th February, with great regret. -He. said Mr, Jones had been a hard and conscientious worker for the union, and deserved the hearty thanks of all the branches. The whole of the members spoke is the most complimentary terms of Mr. Jones' sincerity, enthusiasm and ability, and regretted his departure. The provincial secretary and Mr. Russell (for the press) also added thSir tribute of appreciation. Mr. Jones, in acknowledging.the vote, said he fully appreciated the compliments that had been paid to him by all i present. The present was a time wheji 3 he was; drawn both ways. He would be 1 sorry to leave them, but he felt it . a . duty to his family? to go into fresli fields. As Mr. Lambie had said he had been working t>n a leasehold which had not been a good spec., and now he had made up his mind to, make a home of his own. As their president, he had done what he could, .but he often felt that one occupying that position should have,more time on his hands than he had. If a president could get about and meet the branches and others a lot of good could be done. What he had done had been done ungrudgingly, and nothing had given him more pleasure than to meet the members at the executive meeting once a month. It was the one public function he regretted leaving . PRIZE ESSAYS. The president stated that there were some 20.000 copies of the .prize essay 9 on hand, and asked' the executive ,tc stive a direction as to how they should be disposed of. They might put them in the booksellers' hands for sale, or they might distribute them, free. It was pointed out that some of the executives had not taken any, and if was resolved to write to those executives arid to further deal with the. distribution at next meeting. Mr. Dunn gave notice to move at next meeting that 50 copies be distributed free to each branch in this province.— Eltham Argus.