Regina Leader
January 9, 1902. p.5
The grain growers of the Territories evidently do not intend to submit complacently to the imposition of the wheat blockade, and encroachments of corporations and monopolies, without a struggle, and the formation of an association of grain growers at Indian Head, on Jan. 2nd, was an initial step in a large movement to protect the interests of the farmers of the west. The purpose of the meeting was carefully considered and fully discussed, and as a result, the method of organisation was agreed upon, and the first annual meeting will be held there on March 12th. The Grain Growers’ Association will then become an important factor to be reckoned with, and will make its influence felt in championing the rights of the producers of this great western country. The Government of the Territories realised the importance of the movement, and Mr. C. W. Peterson, Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture, was present to lend every assistance to the organisaiton.
At the opening of the meeting W. R. Motherwell of Abernethy was appointed provisional president, and Mr. Miller of Indian Head, provisional secretary. A large and representative gathering of extensive grain growers was present.
In opening the meeting the president explained the causes that had led to the formation of the association. There could be no doubt that there were many grievances to correct, which would tax the combined wisdom of the farmers of the west. The eastern papers had recently conveyed the news of the completion of the grain blockade. It was a most serious state of affairs, and one which affected not alone every grain grower, but also every merchant, mechanic and professional man in the country. Cessation in moving the grain, practically meant cessation of business. The aim of the association would be to indicate and press for a practical solution of as many of the problems now before them as were susceptible of solution. The first step would be to form an efficient organisation; Mr. C. W. Peterson, Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture for the Territories, who, he said; had had very considerable experience in agricultural organisation work, was then introduced.
Mr. Peterson urged upon the meeting the absolute necessity which existed for combination on the part of grain growers. Although he had not as yet had an opportunity of studying the grain situation as thoroughly as he desired, it was very evident on the surface that serious grievances existed, and it would be the business of the proposed association to search for feasible remedies, if such were to be found and see that they were adopted. Combination was the watchward of the day. The various corporations against which the grain growers were pitted had the most complete organisation in the world and before any headway could be made, the farmers would have to follow the example, and unite and present their claims as a body. The speaker then proceeded to explain the manner in which the Territorial Live Stock Associations had been organised and the basis on which, in his opinion, the proposed association should be started in order to do the most efficient work. He held it was essential to success that an effort be made to enlist the sympathy of all the agricultural societies throughout the country. These societies were formed precisely with the object of taking action and interest themselves in a practical manner, in just such questions as the proposed association would deal with. They had a large and influential membership and he believed they would cooperate enthusiastically with the parent association. The proposal was to organise a central association throughout the country, but the speaker contended that it would be found a very difficult matter to keep branch associations alive and no good object would be gained by duplicating an organisation which was now available in the agricultural societies system, which furnished a much more satisfactory and complete medium through which to reach the grain growers all through the country than any scheme of new branch associations that could possibly be organised within any reasonable time. He suggested that the proposed constitution should be considered clause for clause:
Considerable discussion arose as to the respective advantage of starting independent branch associations, or to attempt to get the agricultural societies to affiliate, in which Senator Perley, Messrs. Snow, Brennan, Angus MacKay the chairman and others took part, and the result was that in framing the constitution, power was given to form branch associations where necessary, but the agricultural societies system would be utilised where such organisations existed. The draft constitution provided for a membership fee of $1.00, but Senator Perley suggested a reduction of this fee to 50c. The motion was put to the meeting with the result that the $1.00 membership was retained. It was agreed to admit agricultural societies upon the payment of a fee of $5.00 per annum, such societies to be represented by a delegate duly appointed by their board of directors. Annual meetings of branch associations are to be held during the month of November, and the central association is to hold its meeting between the 10th and 20th of December in each year. It was decided to adopt the practice of the Live Stock Associations in respect to the appointment of the secretary-treasurer by the board of directors, such official to hold office during pleasure and have the powers of a managing director. The officers of the central association will be a president, one vice-president each for Assiniboia, Alberta and Saskatchewan, a secretary-treasurer and five directors. The executive committee will consist of the president, secretary-treasurer and three members of the board of directors to be elected by such board. Branch associations will have a president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer and five directors. The Commissioner of Agriculture will be an ex-officio member of both branch and central boards of directors.
Upon the notice of Mr. Snow a resolution was passed requesting the Commissioner of Agriculture to utilise the services of nominees of the provisional board of directors of the association for institute work during the present year in order that the aims and objects of the association might be brought prominently before the public in the Territories, so as to awaken an interest in the work of the association and to secure a large and representative membership. Messrs. Motherwell, Miller, Snow, Angus MacKay, Brennan, A. Perley and Hamilton were nominated to represent the association at institute meetings.
A meeting was held at Moosomin on the 4th inst., addressed by Senator Perley, and a series of meetings in Eastern Assiniboia will be held during the present week at which Messrs. Motherwell, Snow and others will deliver addresses and urge upon grain growers the advisability of giving the new association their loyal support. The first annual meeting of the central association will be held at Indian Head on Wednesday, the 12th of March, when permanent officers will be elected and much important business transacted. In the meanwhile the branch associations and agricultural societies interested will be urged to elect delegates.
At the conclusion of the meeting a vote of thanks was conveyed to Mr. Peterson for his attendance and to the chairman and the provisional secretary for their untiring efforts in the interest of the new association.
