UNITY AMONG FARMERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 5 January 1945, Page 2

UNITY AMONG FARMERS

ITo the Editor] Sir,—We have just been favoured with a visit from six prominent British farmers. As reported in “The Mail,” one of the objects of the visit to New Zealand is to secure unity and co-operation among farmers throughout the British Empire. Are the farmers of this country in a position to co-operate with other Empire farmers with a clear conscience? The New Zealand Farmers’ Union suffers from a membership of about 30 to 40 per cent of the farmers. Surely we should be united amongst ourselves first before we discuss uniting with the farmers of other countries! In Britain, the Farmers’ Union with 90 per cent voluntary membership is a powerful body and has a very large voice in the fixing of producers’ prices. The N.Z.F.U., on the other hand, with its low membership, has little influence and no say in the fixation of prices. I have asked numbers of farmers why they are not members of the Union and the reply usually is, “They don’t do anything.” Well surely the reply to that is that every farmer should attend farmers’ meetings and raise hell until something is done —and something would be done, too —like magic. The farmer to-day is labouring under a number of injustices—and he deserves to —for he does nothing about it. There are difficult days ahead for the farming industry and the outlook is black for the individual farmer unless we get together and weld our organisation into a powerful unit. I don’t mean we should throw our weight about indiscriminately. Naturally we should co-operate with other interests—the merchants, the public and the Government—so that the Farmers’ Union can take its rightful place in the community. In a primary-producing country like New Zealand that should be a position of great importance and influence.

Nelson’s hop, tobacco and fruitgrowers have already set New Zealand an example in co-operative effort. Nelson farmers have also led the way towards federation of farmers’ interests. They should go further* and lead the country with a 100 per cent membership of the Farmers’ Union. Th e effect would be profound and have repercussions throughout New Zealand. We must plan intelligently for the difficult Dost-war period. There is a big job ahead. As a start every farmer should do his part by taking an active interest in his organisation which, without his supDort is a broken reed —with his support, a powerful organisation which, wisely and strongly led, and strictlv nonpartv political, could be a great national asset and of great assistance not only to the farmer but the Government in power and to the country generally.—l am, etc., A. G. RUSSELL. Brightwater, 3rd January.