FARMERS’ UNION PRESIDENT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21865, 19 August 1936, Page 12

FARMERS’ UNION PRESIDENT

Mr W. W, Mulholland Honoured PRESENTATION AT DARFIELD Farmers throughout Canterbury were represented at a welcome and presentation to Mr W. W. Mulholland, of Darfield, newly-elected Dominion president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, at the Darfield Memorial Hall last evening. More than 300 farmers and their wives were present and were the guests of the Darfield branch of the union. Mr M. E. Jenkins, chairman of the branch, presided. Thirty speakers paid tribute to Mr Mulholland’s work for farmers throughout New Zealand, all laying emphasis on his ability as an organiser and in grasping and dealing with problems confronting farmers. Special tribute was paid to his work in the interests of wheat growers. Congratulations were also offered to Mrs Mulholland, and Darfield speakers took special pleasure in the honour the district had received in having two Dominion presidents, Mr Mulholland and Mrs W, Deans, president of the Dominion Federation of Women’s Institutes, both of Darfield. Mr Mulholiand was congratulated also on being North Canterbury’s first Dominion president. Work for Wheat Growers Mr S. Dill, president of the MidCanterbury Provincial District of the Farmers’ Union, said that Mr Mulhplland was highly regarded in Mid-Can-terbury, particularly for his work fop wheat growers. They felt it a great honour to have a Canterbury man aDominion president. Mr G. H. Adams, president of the Malvern County Council, congratulated Mr Mulholland on behalf of the Malvern County. He said he had been impressed by Mr Mulholland’s thoroughness in every problem with which he dealt. The county wag proud that it could claim two Dominion presidents in Mr Mulholland and Mrs Mr G. H. Judd, of the Malvern Power Board, said he had never met a more persistent man than Mr Mulholland. Through this persistency he had succeeded in doing a great deal for farmers. Mr C. G. Jarman, on behalf of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, spoke of Mr Mulholland's wide general knowledge and its value to farmers. Burden of Glßce

Mr R. T. McMillan (United Wheat* growers) said that no one deserved the honour more than Mr Mulholland, The wheat growing farmers had tor many years had Mr Mulholland as their leader. He had been at the head of most wheat growers’ organisations tnd had given valuable service. His perseverance would carry him far a» Dominion president. Mr Colin Mclntosh, of the North Canterbury Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union, said that he spoke on behalf of the president, Mr 0. G. Warren, who was a relative of Mr Mulholland. He said that practically every branch of the union had passed a resolution congratulating Mr Mulhoiiand. He thought perhaps that ho should have the farmers' sympathy, In taking office as Dominion president h© was making a great personal sacrificeIt was the duty of every member of the union to give him the fullest support to ease the burden he would carry. He would be freely criticised for his utterances on behalf of farmers, but it would be safe always to support him unreservedly. 'Mr D. Mulholland, sen., thanked visitors who had come from long djstanees to congratulate his son. The duties of Dominion president would be exacting, particularly so with the present Government in powerBranch Representatives Other speakers were Mrs W. Doans, president of the Dominion Federation of Womens Institutes; Mrs H- A. Nutt, immediate past-president of the North Canterbury Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union; Mrs A. A. Scott, president of the Darfield branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers' Union; Mrs Colin Mclntosh, president of the North Canterbury Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union; and the following branch representatives: —Amberley, Mr J. Farquhar; Cheviot, Mr C. H. Haiton: Culverden, Messrs A- Fisher and W. J. McMillan; Wai-kuku-Woodend, Mr .F. S. young; Oxford, Mr J. E. H. McGrath; Tai Tapu, Mr M. Fleming, Motukarara, Mr Grsnam Nub; Dunsandel, Mr H. Wright Johnson; Darfield, Messrs K, Murchison and J- R, CuUen; Sheffield, Mr D- J- Hawke: Fernside, Mr William Smith; Halkett, Mr R. S. Roper; Ellesmere, Mr R. G. Bishop. Mr W. Syme, cue of the oldest members of the Darfield branch, also spoke, Mr Jenkins then presented Mr and Mrs Mulholland with a travelling rug apd bag. f Speakers Thanked Mr Mulholland, in reply, thanked the speakers for their congratulations, He spoke of the early work in the district and the efforts to obtain telephones and electricity in Darfield. He paid a tribute to older farmers In the district who had helped him in the early stages of his executive work, and were largely responsible for his present position. He spoke also of the help Mrs Mulholland had given him, and the sacrifices she had made in the interests of his pubho work. Items were given by Mrs A, E. Q. Lyttie, Mrs Ann Harper, and Mr P. Rarlthrop. Music .was provided by ihe Kimberley Melody Players.