NEW PRESIDENT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22314, 26 April 1947, Page 6

NEW PRESIDENT

LEADER GISBORNE DISTRICT MR. C. H. COOPER RETIRES An announcement of his intention not to seek re-election for the ensuing vear was given bv Mr C. H. Cooper, president lor 1946-47 at the meeting on Thursday of the Gisborne branch, of the Federated Farmers of New Zealand Incorporated. Mr Cooper stated that he had had three years as chairman, first of the Farmers’ Union provincial executive and later of the Gisborne branch ot the federation. He felt that the time was opportune for him to retire, and in doing so he wished to say that it had been a great privilege to work for the federation which now was an established fact. He had done his best towards that success, and had had much pleasure in contacts he had made in that connection. In conclusion Mr Cooper ottered the nomination of Mr F. E. Humphreys, one of last years, vice-presidents, as his successor. The nomination was seconded by Mr E. M. Monckion who stated that since Mr Cooper had decided to retire Mr Humphreys was the logical man for the post. Mr Monckton paid a warm tribute to Mr Cooper for his work in assisting the establishment of the federation Mr P. V. Mossman supported the nomination also, and stated that when Mr Cooper had taken the chairmanship of the Farmers' Union executive he had done so with reluctance but with the determination to do everything in his power for the federation principle. He had now seen that work carried to success, and the members owed him a gicat deal oi gratitude. Principal Offices to Go Round Messrs C. 11. Williams, S. D. Reeves, H. B. Bull and other speakers warmly commended Mr Cooper’s work in ihe past, and Mr Reeves commented that the retiring president had taken an active and important part in a very critical stage of the history of farmers' organisations in this district.. Mr Cooper’s opinion that the principal offices m the branch should go round was generally endorsed by various speakers. The retiring chairman expressed keen appreciation of the tributes paid to him which he regarded as far beyond his real merits. He undertook to give every assistance to the work of the federation in the future, as in the past. There being no other nomination for the principal post. Mr Humphreys was elected unanimously, and his first act was to formally move a vote of thanks to the retiring president, which was carried by acclamation. The election of officers produced the following further appointments:—Vicepresidents, Messrs H. B. Bull and A. H. Russell; executive. Messrs C. H. Cooper. S. Spence S. D. Reeves. A. C. Steele .C E. Matthews, P. Robertson. C. H. Williams, M. T. B. Hall, E. M. Monckton. D. Mills, A Matthews, H. M White. F. J Tome. G. V, Smith, V. C. T. Savage S. McGuinness, H. G Sewell and P. Bell: delegates to provincial. conference. the branch cxecu five with the exception of Mr G. V. Smith, representations on provincial executive, Messrs Reeves, McGuinness. Pull. Cooper. Humphreys, McLaurin, P. Bell. C. E. Matthews and Torrie.