The Farmers' and Settlers' Association of New South Wales was an umbrella organisation of farmers' and selectors' associations in New South Wales, founded in 1893.

History

The Association was formed in 1893 as the outcome of a conference held in Cootamundra, which adopted the Name and Constitution as published in the Cootamundra Herald.[1]

It was, at least in part, a reaction to the successes achieved by the Pastoralists' Union, who had just come from a crushing defeat of the Shearers' Union. They had succeeded in lobbying for their interests as large landholders, often against the farmers' interests.[2]

The foundation president was G. F. Plunkett (c. 1847–1902)[3] and the secretary M. M. Ryan,[4] (c. 1859 – 21 August 1919),[5] who acted as delegates to the land conference held at Cootamundra, their appointments ratified, along with the election of W. Walsh as treasurer.[6]

The first annual conference of delegates from subscribing farmers' unions was held in Young a year later, on 25 July 1894.[7] They resolved that Government should release more land for farming, but with the proviso, to prevent further land-grabbing by wealthy pastoralists, that successful selectors must live on their claims. It also called for extension of the railways into the new areas, also the establishment of a State Bank.[8] In its early years much debate centred on the competing fiscal philosophies: protectionism v. free trade, the free-traders generally having the upper hand. Conversely perhaps, Federation was welcomed for freeing up interstate markets. The rabbit pest was a perennial topic. Following conferences included: Cootamundra 6 August 1895[9] Wagga 11 August 1896[10] Wagga 31 August 1897[11] Bathurst 23 August 1898[12] Orange 15 August 1899[13] (Hosting the conference in Bathurst and Orange stimulated interest there in farmers' unions, which had previously been lacking.)[14] Sydney 5 July 1900[15] Tamworth 10 July 1901[16] Sydney 8 July 1902[17] Dubbo 7 June 1904[18] Sydney 8 August 1905[19]

An indication of the political importance of the organisation may be judged by the attention paid to the conventions by the Press. The Sydney Morning Herald, which paid scant attention to its existence, for its tenth annual convention devoted whole pages to each of the five days' deliberations. Sydney was again chosen as the venue as, while holding meetings at country centres resulted in new branches being formed, a central venue meant greater participation.

In October 1919 the F&S joined with the Graziers' Association of New South Wales and the People's Party of Soldiers and Citizens to form the Progressive Party of New South Wales,[20] later to become New South Wales National Party.

In the 1950s the F&S was vigilant in exposing the threat of Communism, and its infiltration into seemingly innocent organisations.[21]

In August 1961 the F&S and Wheat and Wool Growers Association combined to found the United Farmers and Woolgrowers' Association[22]

Some notable members

Newspaper

In 1906 the Association's executive authorised[24] publication by The Farmer and Settler Publishing Company of 435 Kent Street, Sydney of a weekly newspaper, The Farmer & Settler,[25] with T. I. Campbell,[26] secretary of the Association, as editor.[27] Campbell proved ineffectual in the position, and Harry J. Stephens was de facto editor from September 1906.[28] In July 1907 a private company, the Farmers' and Settlers' Publishing Company Limited, with £20,000 in £1 shares, took over operation of the newspaper.[29] In 1909 the company sued Campbell for breach of contract, but lost the case because of irregularities in the contract, and the newspaper was driven to insolvency. Campbell remained general secretary of the F & S until retiring in 1925.

At the Association's 1910 convention the executive was authorised to again establish an official newspaper, and on 27 January 1911 the first issues of The Land were printed, to a barrage of criticism from the Farmer and Settler.

References

  1. ↑ "Constitution". Cootamundra Herald. Vol. XVII, no. 54. New South Wales, Australia. 8 July 1893. p. 3. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ↑ Alexandra Bunton. "NSW Farmers throughout the decades". The Farmer Magazine. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  3. ↑ "Death of Mr G. F. Plunkett". The Australian Star. No. 4467. New South Wales, Australia. 10 June 1902. p. 2. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ↑ "Constitution". Cootamundra Herald. Vol. XVII, no. 53. New South Wales, Australia. 5 July 1893. p. 8. Retrieved 27 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ "Our Wires". The Gundagai Independent and Pastoral, Agricultural and Mining Advocate. No. 2069. New South Wales, Australia. 15 September 1919. p. 3. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ↑ "Reports of Conference Delegates". Wagga Wagga Express. Vol. XXXIV, no. 6163. New South Wales, Australia. 31 August 1893. p. 4. Retrieved 27 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ↑ "The Farmers' Land Conference". The Wyalong Star and Temora and Barmedman Advertiser. Vol. I, no. 37. New South Wales, Australia. 3 August 1894. p. 2. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ↑ "New South Wales Farmers and Settlers Association". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 14, 859. Victoria, Australia. 10 February 1894. p. 11. Retrieved 27 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ↑ "Farmers' Conference". Cootamundra Herald. Vol. XIX, no. 64. New South Wales, Australia. 7 August 1895. p. 5. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ↑ "Farmers' and Settlers' Association". The National Advocate. Vol. 7, no. 238. New South Wales, Australia. 13 August 1896. p. 2. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ↑ "N. S. Wales Farmers' and Settlers' Association". Wagga Wagga Express. Vol. XXXVIII, no. 6747. New South Wales, Australia. 31 August 1897. p. 3. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ↑ "Farmers' and Settlers' Association". The National Advocate. Vol. 11, no. 256. New South Wales, Australia. 26 August 1898. p. 2. Retrieved 27 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ↑ "Farmers & Settlers". The Leader (Orange, NSW). Vol. 9, no. 844. New South Wales, Australia. 16 August 1899. p. 4. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ↑ "The Conference". The Leader (Orange, NSW). Vol. 9, no. 842. New South Wales, Australia. 9 August 1899. p. 2. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ↑ "Farmers' and Settlers' Association". The Australian Star. No. 3866. New South Wales, Australia. 6 July 1900. p. 8. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ↑ "Farmers' and Settlers' Association". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 19, 760. New South Wales, Australia. 11 July 1901. p. 3. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ↑ "Farmers & Settlers". Evening News (Sydney). No. 10, 945. New South Wales, Australia. 10 July 1902. p. 5. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ↑ "Farmers' Conference at Dubbo". The Daily Telegraph. No. 7803. New South Wales, Australia. 8 June 1904. p. 7. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ↑ "Farmers' and Settlers' Annual Conference". The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser. Vol. LXXX, no. 2283. New South Wales, Australia. 9 August 1905. p. 335. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ↑ "The Progressive Party". Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate. No. 14, 020. New South Wales, Australia. 14 October 1919. p. 4. Retrieved 1 December 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ↑ "Communist Front Organisations". Manilla Express. New South Wales, Australia. 1 July 1952. p. 3. Retrieved 26 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. ↑ "6". The Story of The Land. p. 139.
  23. ↑ "Death of W. C. Cambridge; Life-Time of Work For Farmers". The Land. No. 2220. New South Wales, Australia. 23 April 1954. p. 7. Retrieved 29 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. ↑ ""The Farmer and Settler"". The Farmer and Settler. Vol. I, no. 11. New South Wales, Australia. 18 April 1906. p. 3. Retrieved 29 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  25. ↑ "Walmer". Wellington Times. No. 1750. New South Wales, Australia. 25 January 1906. p. 5. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  26. ↑ "Death of T. I. Campbell". The Murrumbidgee Irrigator. Vol. XXVII, no. 59. New South Wales, Australia. 31 July 1942. p. 4. Retrieved 29 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  27. ↑ "Advertising". The Farmer and Settler. Vol. I, no. 1. New South Wales, Australia. 7 February 1906. p. 3. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ↑ "The Farmer and Settler at Law". The Farmer and Settler. Vol. IV, no. 47. New South Wales, Australia. 24 December 1909. p. 5. Retrieved 29 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
  29. ↑ "New Company". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 21, 671. New South Wales, Australia. 3 July 1907. p. 11. Retrieved 28 November 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
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