Farmers' parliaments and country conferences: attempts by New South Wales Labor in the 1920s and 1930s to communicate with the countryside

Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society, Dec, 2004 by Ken Turner

The Ministers in their opening speeches tried to set a tone 'above politics'. Loughlin assured delegates that they would have 'a clean slate on which they could write what they chose'. Although he could not pledge that the Government would accept everything decided upon, the 'collective wisdom' of delegates would be of advantage to the Government which would regard its discussions and decisions as of the greatest importance and a guide well worth following. Accounts of the Conference in the Bathurst press suggest that the participants and local observers responded with enthusiasm and goodwill, while the proceedings were widely and generally favourably reported.

The Conference divided into working committees. Thirteen producers' committees would confer with four consumers' committees. Special expert committees (transport, finance, marketing facilities, and weights and measures) were available to other committees as required. A coordinating committee would reconcile recommendations from different committees. All committee reports would be sent to the Executive Committee for consideration before being put to the full Conference.

The final report, adopted unanimously by the Executive Committee, briefly set before Conference a statement which was accepted without dissent:

* The committees favoured the principle of collective marketing and distribution.

* Producers needed the opportunity to vote for the handling of their product by a Board with direct majority representation of producers and reasonable representation to consumers.

* Closer cooperation between consumers' and producers' organisations was generally desired to improve marketing facilities and the exploitation of markets abroad.

Since it was impracticable for the open Conference to resolve upon the reports of the various sectional committees, these were attached as part of the full report to be supplied to every member.

Loughlin was 'immensely satisfied'. A resolution was 'heartily carried', congratulating him. Its mover (H. J. Bate, Nationalist, Goulburn), described the Conference as 'a unique opportunity for the full exchange of points of view, which will be of lasting benefit to every interest represented'. The motion was supported by R. B. Suttor of the New South Wales Graziers' Association. Another resolution favoured a meeting the next year for the same purpose. (13)

Clearly this was a very effective public relations exercise but Labor also took it seriously as a source and legitimiser of practical policies. On 26 October, Cabinet placed Watson in charge of the follow-up. The collection of statistics, especially of marketing costs, was resumed. The promised booklet of background information and proceedings was issued. Administrative monitoring began. Watson reported that the task of writing to appropriate authorities concerning some 108 committee recommendations was 'well in hand' by 26 December. An example of this follow up was correspondence on 11 January 1927 from the Undersecretary for Agriculture reassuring Watson who had asked if compulsion of growers to sell fruit cases with their grapes was being contemplated, against the recommendation of the Vine Fruits Committee of the Bathurst Conference. (14)