Compulsory Fed. Farmers?

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 28, 8 December 1987, Page 8

Compulsory Fed. Farmers?

The question of compulsory membership for farmers was discussed at the S o u t h ern K i n g Country branch meeting of Federated Farmers held recently. Although a remit was not passed at the meeting the majority of the branch chairmen felt that the question of compulsory membership should be addressed at branch level during the forthcoming round of annual general meetings. Mr Jim Holmes, chairman of the meat and wool section, Auckland province, expressed deep concern at the apathy of local farmers towards the many important issues facing them. He said that he had had no feed back from- farmers on the critical financial position of the Taumarunui County Council or the national problems of post office closure, the future of

rural schools and bus runs. Of the 315 members of Federated Farmers in the Southern King Country there are still 68 who have not paid current membership fees. The executive questions whether these farmers want to be represented at national level by the recognised farmer representative organisation. The manufacturers have spent $500,000 on lobbying govemment over tariff reforms. Considering that tariff protection is costing the average farmer $14,000 per year it is unacceptable that financial resources are not available to fight the manufacturers call for continuing protection. Federated Farmers represents just over 50 percent of the total number of farmers in the region and it is felt by the executive that if these farmers want professional representation common to other pressure

groups, such as the manufacturers and public service groups, then some form of financial commitment must be made. Mr Chris Lester felt the Federation needed to communicate with 'grass roots' members informing them of the achievements and hurdles the organisation were striving to overcome. "The deer farmers have been successful in increasing membership with attractive packages and fortnightly information through their bulletin Stagline," he said. Mr Bruce Dempsey commented that if compulsory membership was considered then the $110 membership fee could be reduced. The meeting supported the idea that farmers need to be represented by strong negotiators and if this. meant compulsory membership the legislation would need to be introduced into government to allow these changes.