The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1890.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2825, 21 August 1890, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 1890.

Equal and exact ]usttce to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or politic, il.

We have always striven, to the best of our ability, to promote the welfare of the agriculturist, recognising that theirs is the great staple industry, not only in this colony, but in the world at large. If the aggressive action of Trade Unionism be the means of funning into life a movement that will bring about a general combination of farmers throughout the colony it will have conferred the greatest service possible on the agriculturists as a body. One of tiie first steps in this direction, with which we heartily sympathise, has been taken by farmers and sutlers in the Papatoitoi district, who have been roused into action to resist what they feel to be an act of injustice on the part of the country smiths. These mechanics have formed themselves into a union the avowed object of which is to increase the charges for all work entrusted to them. At the meeting referred to, held on July -tlth, a large number of influential settlers took part ; amongst them we notice th« names of Messrs Lainbe, McLaughlaii and (Joodfeilow, and from the tone of the meeting, it was evident that they wen; thoroughly in earnest in the matter, as shown by the tenor of the following resolutions, which were passed without question : —

"That this mooting having in view the recent action of country smiths in forming themselves into a Union, in consequence .if which their tariff of prices has (without having any regard to the, depressed condition of agriculture) been increased, deems it expedient to form themselves into an association called the t" Kanners' Defence Association." " That the members of the Karmerd JJefence Association, m support thereof, pledge themselves to give all their work to skilled smiths in the district as approved of by the Association." CJ. Similes, in support thereof, spoke at length on the depressed condition of agriculture, the treatment the farmers received at the hands of the merchants, shippers, etc., and pointed out that the recent action of the farriers was calculated to set class against "That a committee consisting of thirteen members, nine of whom shall form a quorum, be appointed for one year, (a) to "ive effect to resolutions passed ; (b) to frame a c,de of rules for the working of the Association ; (c) and to take such other steps as may be generally deemed expedient to promote the interests of the Farmers* Defence Association. "That each member of the Farmers Defence Association shall enter into a bond to pay a penalty of £•> in the event of non- ! compliance with or violation of the pledge 1 taken, as set forth in the second resolution, | providing the aforesaid non-compliance or j violation is found to be proven by two- ' thirds of the committee then present, and I svhose decision shall be final."

In addition to tin- foregoing resolutions, further m l ion has boon taken by issuingt.lin following circular : —

Sir. l o I lie irernt ael.ion of the Trade and Labour Unions the agriculturists of this district have formed themselves into an association called the '•.Farmers' Defence Association." The objects of the Association are :—(a.) to defend agriculturalists against actions inimical to their interests. (b.) To take into consideration demands made upon them by trade and labour unions, (u.) To take any other necessary action to promote the welfare of agriculture.

yimilai' movements arc on foot in other parts of the colony. The main question, now boforo tho promoters of this or any kindred association is to establish a- platform of suifiuieiit

breadth to embrace all sections of the great agriculturist body throughout the colony. The subject cannot but bo of groat interest to the Waikato Farmers Club, and it will no doubt be duly considered by its members at their next meeting.