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CORRESPONDENCE.
UNION AMONG AGRICULTURISTS.
To the Editor.
SIR-I was very much pleased to read
your leader of February 4th advocating the
above named movement. In some of your
opening sentences there is sadly too much
truth. I think the difficulty in accomplish-
ing unionism among farmers may be largely
ascribed to two causes, firstly the apparently a
well-to-do farmer, who thinks he is doing
well enough and does not care to trouble
himself about the improvement of his less
fortunate neighbours; and secondly, those who
are little or no better than dredges for their
creditors and do not possess enough ambition
to grapple with such a measure as that
notorious credit system." The life of a
farmer has been said to be the most free and
independent of all. Unfortunately this does
not apply as it should to this colony, for
there are too many of our (so-called) farmers
who are not in a position so favourable as
their hired " farm hand." They live on at
the beck and call of their creditors. These,
together with other factors, are serious
obstacles, and have become such a powerful
brake on the progress of agriculture that the
machines' of production are totally unable
to meet the wants of consumers and while
we have better dairying country and more of
it, than South Australia, and could compete
with New Zealand, yet, we are importing
butter and cheese largely from both. We
- import potatoes from several of the Eastern
colonies, ' while we possess larger areas
equally as capable of producing such. Wheat,
oats and peas are being imported largely
while we have millions of acres lying idle
that are capable of producing these grains
profitably.
The same may be said of fruits, wines
meats and liquors. If our agricultural
resources were but fairly developed, the
many thousands of pounds that are yearly
going out of this colony for the products
mentioned would, instead, flow into the
pockets of our farmers and. export agents.
Hua state of affairs is bringing many
thoughtful minds to reflect, and admit that
this? subject is not so easy to deal with as
it may appear. Any one can find fault of
these the results of a disease, but to locate
that disease and apply an available remedy
will require a much deeper, and wider
knowledge. The remedies you have mentioned,
namely 7s. unionism" and the dis-
semination of useful knowledge, are without
doubt the best 4 but in the application you
have left by sea the greater part of the
disease untouched. Union among agent
of tourists is the first remedy to be applied, and
contended that such a union should embrace
all the branches of agriculture ; not only the
vine and fruit growers, but also the wool
growers, wheat-growers, breeders, feeders,
Vetter and cheese makers, market gardeners
and others. The members of such an
association or union could then appoint
eseamittees on any special line of produce,
and these would have the influence of the
whole association at their backs, which
would surely be a very considerable
advantage over the few who might be
engaged in a special line. Past experience
has proved that the smaller unions are more
expensive to manage, and do not accomplish
those desirable ends which the larger and more
comprehensive associations are able to attain.
In the latter part of January last a circular,
*. suggesting a constitution for an association
of farmers, was sent to some of the farmers
living in the most settled areas of the colony.
The scheme suggested was comprehensive,
and it was intended that each "assembly,"
or association, should be independent in the
matter of "self government ; but the whole of
snoVassociations, would be represented by
delegates at a central board or council,
which; should be representative and sugges
revenue its functions, but not dictators to
the various unions represented. After an
association of this comprehensive nature has
been formed, and the members have become
acquainted and discussed their business with
each other, committees could be appointed
to consider the wants of special branches,
such for' example, as the formation of a
co-operative company to work a butter or
cheese factory, or to build a central wins
collar, to be managed by an expert to consider
the establishment of farmers' markets
in the towns to buy pure blood stock to im-
prove the local flocks or herds, etc, etc.
Two or more of these "assemblies" may
join in any undertaking they may think fit,
; while such matters as arranging for an ex
pert trade in any line of produce, or repre-
senting" their needs to Government, would
come under the control of the central board
or council. The field of usefulness for these
association is, as you remark, " practically
unlimited," and every agriculturist in the
colony; who has a spark of interest in
his home and country, should join heartily
in this movement and become a member
of the nearest association, or if such
does not exist within reach he should
call a meeting and start one at the
earliest opportunity. In the second place
the subsequent assistance of a Government
Department of Agriculture will be of incalculable
'value to the farmers if wisely
directed. Not only will this be derived from
the practical instruction given to farmers
and he results of carefully worked out experiments,
but also by the better education
of the youth of this colony who may decide
upottjgt$ouHure as business or profession.'
At the present time what is particularly
wanted by the farmers of this colony is in
Struction by practical demonstration in the
>olementary¡i8oiepoe of agriculture, together
with experimental stations located in those
parte having a soil and climate. typical of
large areas, where the farmers can go said
Inveterate-, any process or subject, and
receive any information or explanation they
may desire. The Department of Agriculture
in New South Wales has accomplished much'
store since its initiation than that of any
of the other colonies in the same time. The
aystea*-of Reaching is of the most practical
and thorough sincere, and under the present
electorship There seems to be no want of
7Burefiu._ "In South Australia, the only colony
'where, .«".Bureau has been fairly- got on Vex
foot tasmania is thinking of trying j a
fine), <> the > Bureau has been too much
in rivalry with the Agricultural Department
and College, and there is, but
Htthvdeobt that if the money and attention,
-spent by the Government on the Bureau had
been, directed to the extension of the teachings
and the increase of the staff of their eggs
cultjral'college and experimental work, the
farmers and especially the students of that
Colony would have received far more benefit.
It is -SMeerety to-be hoped that when the
Government of this colony feel they have
sufficient support to move for the establishment;
of a department of agriculture, they
will profit by the examples given them by the
Eastern colonies and New Zealand, and
propose a system that will meet the wants
of tbjs^prx)visjDe,.-with its-scant and by no
means wealthy population. As far as colonial
experience is concerned, an agricultural
bureau will not benefit the farmers half so
merchant good live" agricultural journal
as want-of which is greatly felt and every
where apparent in this colony. You mention
as one of the serious mistakes in colonial
life, that so many men enter noon agricul
Coral pursuits without any special training or
Knowledge of what (boy g3d6rtake/? How
can, they do otherwise P Where was there
school of agriculture for them? How, many i
farms would there be in West Anatolia s
only him who had a practical knowledge of
farming had taken up land? Experience is a
very dear school, but it is better than none,
and will eventually teach, or weed out the
" quacks." The business of farming is by
no means alone in this subject, but it
usually gives a man time to make his
blunders more conspicious and lasting in
effect. Our present educational system is
deplorably wanting from as agricultural
point of view. Law, medicine, etc., are all
provided for, while agriculture, which requires
more hard study than either of those
mentioned, or perhaps any a scholar could
select, is practically neglected. The farmers
of this colony are worthy of all praise for
what they have done during such unfavour-
able circumstances as existed under the old
regime. They had to take what was offered,
or nothing. No at, with the change in the
system of Government, a great change has
arrived, and it will take the majority of
farmers some time to thoroughly wake up to
the fact that they are practically at liberty
to govern themselves in rural affairs. Success
now lies in their own hands. Undoubtedly
a " union among agriculturists "
is the first step towards agricultural prosperity
and success ; while to support this
the teachings of " a department of agriculture
" is equally important.
Yours, etc.,
W. E. ASH.
Albany, Feb. 18.
THE SUNDAY CLOSING MEETING.
To the Editor.
SIR-Having been associated with those
who arranged for last Monday night's meeting,
I may perhaps be allowed to know how far
certain statements made in connection there-
with' are true. 1st. It was publicly advertised
as a meeting to protest, against
Sunday opening, not one to " discuss " the
question. You will see therefore that the
promoters really did what your leader suggests
they ought to have done, and your
. strictures are therefore beside the mark. 2nd.
The committee did not invite the Licensed
Victuallers to the platform. The Mayor and
Councillors were invited and that invitation
included the president of the Association.
This disposes of "GI's" remarks and also some
of Mr. Dunstan's, who, before quarrelling with
his friends, might acquaint himself with their
actions. The sub-committee, having learned
through the Press thattbeLioensed Victuallers
would move an amendment, agreed that this
should be permitted if any who sought leave
to do so but not until our own programme
of speakers had addressed the meeting. Bear-
ing in mind that the meeting was called Jbo
protest and not to discuss, I do not know
that any fairer play could be shewn. If the
meeting did not end satisfactorily, it was
mainly because three gentlemen intruded
themselves into the programme when requested
by the chairman not to do so. Mr. Dunstan
has not one whit more occasion to be'
ashamed of his party than they to be ashamed
of him.
Yours, etc,
W. TRAYLEN.
Perth, Feb. 22.
To the Editor.
Sir,-I was at the meeting at the Town
Hall last night, and was asked to propose a
vote of thanks to the chairman, which I
should have been glad to have done in the
best way I could. But at the close of the
meeting there was such confusion that it was
almost impossible to say anything, therefore,
with your permission, I will state as briefly
as I can my wishes on the subject. I am not
a total abstainer, but do consider myself a
temperate man; neither do I consider myself
religious ; but I am entirely opposed to Sunday
trading, except under special circumstances,
and I think it is better to leave well
alone. I cannot think it is the wish of a
majority of the hotel-keepers to open their
houses on a Sunday. I have a better opinion
of them. If public houses are to be opened
on Sunday, why not open all other places of
business and carry on races and all other
things the same as in France ? I hope I may
never live to see such a state of things here.
When it was decided to close public houses
on Sunday in Melbourne, if I recollect aright,
the publicans joined with the authorities,
and expressed themselves determined to put
down drinking on Sundays. I hope our
publicans will do the same here, and I would
heartily agree with them in putting down all
bogus clubs or any other sly-grog shops. I
recollect reading in a Melbourne paper of a
lot of larrikins going into a public-house in
the suburbs and calling for long drinks of
beer, and when they had finished their drinks
they quietly walked out. 'Tai lands I reminded
them that they had not paid him, but
they quietly reminded him it was Sunday. I
am in favour of local option, and would only
allow a certain number of public-houses in
any district, and I would also do my best to
see that those houses were properly kept.
Yours, etc,
W. PADBURY.
Perth, February 21.
To the Editor.
Sir,-I must contradict the statements made
in a letter, signed " J. W.L.," appearing in the
West Australian this morning, "The chairman
did not refuse to let Messrs. Molloy and
Caulfield speak. "This sentence appears without
the authority of a name that can be
recognised, but I must inform the writer,
whoever he be, that the chairman did refer to me
permission to speak in the first instance,
and it was only after observing <-h<-> temper of
the meeting that he consented at my speak
ing later. He positively refused to allow
Mt. Caulfield to speak, and sent for a police-
man to have him arrested. I remonstrated
against his unwarrantable action, and,
after consultation with the other officials
of the meeting, he Resisted, and consented
to adopt Mr. Caulfield's suggestion.
Both these gentlemen were told that an
opportunity would be afforded them to move
amendments at the proper time." This is
absolutely false, as far as I am concerned.
The Chairman told me nothing of the kind and
considering that I positively refused to
move any amendment on behalf of the
licensed victuallers at the meeting, and that
it was entrusted to Mr Caulfield by the
Secretary, I can only come to the conclusion
that " J. W. L." must be some inspired person
knowing the secret thoughts of the Chairman,
and who, in defence of his extraordinary conduct,
wants to defend him by giving a
version other than what occurred to the
public.
"The Chairman did ask those to vote who
were opposed to the resolution, and this is
corroborated by your reporter." Now, Sir,
the fact is the Chairman put the proposition,
and I said to Mr. Caulfield, "Now is your
time." He got up to move his amendment,
but the Chairman ignored him, and refused
to stop the proposition, allowing it to be put
to the meeting, when not one-half the hands
in the hall were had up in its favour. Im-
mediately Mr. Moseley, in a frantic manner,
commenced a cheer from behind, and
the Chairman did not then call for
a show of hands against. I protested to the
Chairman, when he answered it was a public
meeting called to protest against the opening
of public-houses on Sunday. Immediately
after this the lights were put out. There
was, I believe, some attempt to correct this
unfair conduct, but only when the light we're
being put out and half the people have left
the hall. These unfair tactics tree the more
marked because the Chairman had promised
Mr. Caulfield, in the early part of the evening,
that he would be allowed, an opportunity
later on of putting his amendment, and
then deliberately prevented him, showing he
had no confidence in the meeting voting with
him. That they, the conveners of the meeting;
did not intend to allow any opposing
opinions to be expressed is evidenced by the
writing of Mr. George Randell in to-day's
West Australian, and who seems to be in
their confidence. The licensed victuallers
are thankful to notice the manly letter of one
temperance advocate, the Rev. E. T. Dunstan,
also appearing in to-day's West Australian.
In reply to Mr. Alfred Miller's letter, I
may state that I am always prepared to consult
the wish of my constituents, but
I have yet to learn that Mr. Miller is
their spokesman. It is not upon single issues
that persons are elected to a seat in Parliament.
As I understand, it is upon their
opinions of general national importance, and
the good opinion in which they are held by
the electors. When the proper time comes
I will submit, as I did before, to the wishes of
the electors in regard to their opinion as to
whether they will re-elect me to the honour-
able position I now occupy of their representative.
When that time comes I expect to
find many total abstainer friends who will
again record their votes in my lava-. At
this time I trust I may still find Mr Alfred
Miller, with his undoubted ability, still plead-
ing in the cause of temperance and I doubt
not that he himself, if he is then in my
electorate, will not confine himself to the
test in recording his vote of whether I, a) a
candidate, differ from him as to the test
means of lessening the drink custom on Sunday.
I endeavoured to explain at the meeting
that the suggestion coming from the Licensed
Victuallers of legalising for two hours the
sale of drink on Sunday would lessen the evil,
would confine it instead of having it distributed
over the whole day, and would
relieve the publican of a grievance ; but that
we, the Licensed Victuallers' Association,
were willing to have this matter submitted
to the test of public opinion.
Yours etc.,
T. G. MOLLOY.
Perth, Feb. 22.
STATE OWNERSHIP OF PUBLIC
HOUSES.
To the" Editor.
Sir,-The present is an opportune time to
advocate a reform which any wise Government,
would have undertaken years ago, vis.,
that all drinking houses should be owned and
managed by the State. This I consider, is
the only remedy for the drink evil. WE this
where the law the question of Sunday opening
or closing' would not so excite the public
mind. We would not have to read so much
quoted Scripture, Ac, bearing on-the points
Also, we would not have to read grandilo-
quent language, such as " grinding axes on
the credulity of their victims,''. Ac. Let the
Government simply buy up all the " pubs "
at a valuation, and appoint managers and inspectors.
Yours, Ac,
CODLIN.
Bunbury, Feb. 20.
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