REBUKE TO FARMERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3203, 1 June 1909, Page 4

REBUKE TO FARMERS.

The proverbial apathy of the farmers in regard to matters affecting their own welfare was referred to • by Mr Allen Bell, provincial president of the Farmers' Union, in his address at the Farmers' Conference a Auckland. "It is," he said, "an unfortunate fact that the average farmer appears to be willing to take advantage of any good .that may be

derived from the efforts of the union so long as he has not to pay for it, or put himself to any personal inconvenience in the matter." This was particularly noticeable in the case of the Land Bill campaign in this province. A large amount of money was expended in the agitation, and with splendid results. But an infinitesimal number of those interested thought fit to assist in supplying the sinews of war. These had to be supplied by a few, and in many cases lecturers who were giving their services gratis were even called upon to pay for hire of halls. This was in striking contrast to the patriotic spirit displayed by many of the trades unionists, who contributed liberally to their union funds. The Farmers' Union was always crippled financially and the few enthusiasts -who were doing the work had to do it at great personal and financial loss. "If," he went on to say, "the farmer wishes to attain that honourable post on the country that the Almighty intended he should fill, he will have to cast aside the methods of the past, take a leaf out of the book of the trade unionist, band together, and whilst working on with other sections of the community and recognising their rights, be prepared to stand up as a man and fight for that honourable place in the .political economy of our country to which he is ju3tly entitled."