FARMERS' UNION

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10687, 6 August 1912, Page 6

FARMERS' UNION

M K-KTIXC AT FKATHERSTOX

Despite the bad weather and the flnoded .state of the roads, there was a fair muster of farmers at the Farmers' Union meeting at Featherston on Saturday afternoon last. Mr H. Morrison, president of tlio Masterton branch, addressed the meeting on matters relating to the organising of the Wairarapa. He stated that >Mr Hebenton, the organiser, had last week refused a lucrative appointment so that he could stay and success of the work lie had undertaken here. It was to the far-

mers to see that they gave him every assistance in his work. He had no doubt that the fanners in the Wairarapa were quite alive to the benefits of the Union's exist-once, and would rally round to make the branch the strongest in the Wairarapa. lie in-

stanced various countries and various professions that had benefitted by

organisation. He quoted an article from the World' Work, which proved clearly that Ireland had in the past, ■and will in the future, gain more by farmers' organisations than even Home Ilnle.

Mr H. H. Xivens, of Timii, or ris- j ing. stated that being an Irishman, ho could Mr Morrison's remarks regardi/% hi;; country. He knew a gentleman in Cork who I: 1 11 years ago stated that his sole nrnbition was to get Homo Eule; on being interviewed last year the same man had stated that his ambition now was not to "tret Horn? Re.le, 'but dairy factories. The more men you can t set-tied on the land, and get contented, the- !psk they are likely ro cause ft must be the work of the Uni:;:> hero in New Zealand to get as many as possible of the pop-.!lac:on to become farmers. The Farmers' Union is not docrensin<r in numbers, as some people imagined, ns the figr:its .'-.von at the Dominion Conference proved an increase in membership. He was quite sure iliafc the present system of organisation would bo eminently successful. Mr J. C. Cooper, of Masterton, said that the previous speakers had given several arguments in favour of the present scheme, and it would not be necessary to toll his audience tho benefits that accrue by the existence of the. Union. He was quite satisfied that labour should receive its fair share of wages, but when some of the workers ask for more than their share, those who would suffer in consequence had a right to assert their ca;;e. It would strengthen the Farmers' Union jin the Wairarapa if they had one i largo branch covering the whole disrict. instead of small branches in each locality. The union should spc that public expenditure was not wasteful, and that the costly svstem of cooperative labour should bo done away with.

Mr Hebenton, of Mn.sterton, organising secretary, stated that, lie was sure that if all ,vt Hiji<x wan wrong with tlio Farmers' Union it was only an attack of the "blues," and that by the unfailing remedy of optimistic and vigorous activity the patient would Ik? quite well again. Tie was sure that the farmers realised the necessity of a strong branch of the Union in the Wnirarapa. In, the past if there had been partial failure it was due to want of organisation. His experience for •the short time he had been -at worki Avas that the farmer is quite ready io fall in with the scheme and give every assistance if properly approached. He Avas quite Avilling to put all his energy into the work and make the schemo "go.'" Mr Allan Donald (chairman) •thanked. the speakers for coining clown on such a rough day, and assured thein that the South Wairarapa will not found Avanting in its part to form a strong union. Messrs <T. 0. Bidwill, Quinton Donald, and A. Clark offered to give the organiser every assistance when "fvorking at the Featherston end of the district.