FARMERS’ UNION

Evening Star, Issue 21116, 31 May 1932, Page 11

FARMERS’ UNION

OTAGO PROVINCIAL COUNCIL ANNUAL CONFERENCE The thirty-second annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (Otago Provincial Council) was commenced in the Otago Motor Club rooms this morning, the president (Mr C. R. Sheat) being in the chair. There was a very large attendance of members. FINANCE. The Secretary (Mr A. C. Cameron) traversed the annual balance-sheet, stating that all the expenses for running the union for the year came to only £250, and that if it had not been for the Mutual Fire Insurance Association they would not be able to carry ou as they were doing. Air .Sheat said ho would like to make it clear that the union was giving greater service than members paid for, and he hoped members would report this fact to the various branches. The balance-sheet was adopted. MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE. The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. C. E. Macmillan), who received a warm welcome, spoke in. an interesting manner on his early experiences of farming, slating that he had started in the backblocks, and had never deserted them. Ho was sure that the Otago Council was operating its affairs in a very competent manner, and he was certain that nothing he could suggest could bring about an improvement. He was satisfied that the Farmers’ Union as a whole bad conferred inestimable benefits on the farming community, and lie would go further and say advisedly that its activities had benefited the entire dominion. The farming industry was now, as it ought to be. the dominant factor, and tho people were beginning to learn that the secret of the country’s wealth lay in the welfare of the farming community. Ho was pleased, as Minister of Alines to see that there was a revival of mining on the West Coast. As gold was an asset to tho State lie had expressed the opinion that it should not he parted with unless something useful were received in return. He v, as .going in approach Cabinet: with a view to having mining developed on ap-ptovo-l gold-hearing areas, -oim- irUirn in he made to the Gu\ci nment.

Mr Macmillan also spoke of the development of agricultural land, stating that in cases where mining was started it would be seen to that good land for fanning would not be spoiled It would be insisted that tho surface of the land should ultimately be left in the state in which it was found, for if large sums of money were won from the ground the least that could be done would be to leave the areas in good condition for cultivation. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected■ President, Mr C. R. Sheat (reelected); vice-president, Air M. A Kinney; Provincial Executive—Messrs W. AI‘K. Bradfield (Owaka), A. Craig and F. Waite (Clntha), R. H Michelle (Milton), A. C. Leary (Lawrence), T. Stockhitl (Roxburgh), J Miller (Taieri), J. D. Revie (Tapanui), J. Howell (Middlemarch), R. J. E Smith (Alaniototo), W. A. Bodkin, ALP. (Dunstan), James Ritchie and J. Cockburn (Lakes), C. W. Hallum (Palmerston), and D. AI‘G. Reid (Peninsula). The following ex-official members were not subject to election Messrs E. H Murney (dominion vice-presi-dent) and J. Preston (member of the Advisory Committee). The Chairman intimated that the delegates for the dominion conference woum bo the president and Messrs Murney and Preston, with two others to be elected. It was decided to send the secretary (Air A. C. Cameron) and Mr M. A. Kinney, the latter to be replaced if ho ultimately found he could not go The following motion was carried:— “ R is with great regret that the council loses the services of Alessrs T. Barr, T. H. Alee, W. J. M'Kenzie, and 11. A. Tamblyn. Those members have served tho council faithfully and well, and have earned the thanks of the union as a whole. Air Barr has represented the Owaka group for lour years, and has been a f most conscientious representative.”