Kyneton Guardian (Vic. : 1870 - 1881; 1914 - 1918), Saturday 29 April 1916, page 4


FARMERS' ORGANISATIONS.

AMALGAMATION OF UNIONS.

"PARTY POLITICS BANNED "

During thepast few weeks branches of the Victorian Farmers' Union and the Farmers' Union of Victoria have been forming 'throughout the State. As the'aims-arid objects of the unions were similar,.there was a general desire that the organisations should be amalgamated. This has now been done. The name of the amalgamated •anion will be the "Victorian Farmers'" Union," for the reason that it was the older : body ahd had its provisional executive officers apoointed at Trentham nearly two years ago; Owing to the outbreak of the war, the older

union did not proceed actively in the

work of organisation until recently, when the demand from the country districts' for organisation, becamef.irresistible.. :In a few days four branches of the union Avere-.then:.established ;n the Western district by Mr Isaac Hart, organising secretary. Meanwhile the Farmers' Union of Victoria, which bad its, origination in the northern districts, had oomc into existence. and. working from Melbourne, met with general -supoort in all parts of the State, Mr J. L riail being general secretary. However, to secure unity, the younger hod}- has willingly merged into the Victorian Farmers' Union . Henceforth Messrs' Hart and Hall will jointly carry 011 the work of organisation under the control of the provisional central executive, which will remain, at Trentham. Cr. John Adams, of Xewhatu, is President, and Cr. A. Anderson and Mr T. T. O'Brien vice-presidents. Cr. P. Gle.eson treasurer, and Mr I. Hart secretar.v of the provisional executive. All communications are to be addressed 10 East Trentham. Mr Hart will organise in that part of the State to the west of the Melbourne-Echuca railway 'line, and Mr Hail in the territory to the east of the line. The organisation. is open to producers only.,and the secretaries state it is being financed and controlled solely by producers. ; Its political policy^ will be formulated | at the first conference to be held in | Melbourne during Show week. Meanwhile "party politics" arc banned.