N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 December 1924, Page 6

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. ; At the ordinary meeting yesterday, there were present: Messrs R. Dunn (president), E. J. Betts, H. Wood, W. T. Seed, John Forbes. W. McL’Dowie, A. J'. Haseltine, A. R. B. Pierce, S. Huston, and E. K, Cameron (secretary). Leave of absence was granted Mr. H. Sutherland, and the hope was expressed that he would soon be restored to health. REVALUATIONS. The president referred to the action taken by the Hawera County, and said he considered that if Hawera secured a reduction all should be entitled to similar treatment and should combine to secure revaluation. In regard to a rate such as the hospital, local bodies in the same district should be valued all during the same year. PIG INDUSTRY. The Auroa branch forwarded a resolution passed at a' recent meeting, protesting against the price paid -out for bacon pigs, ; and added that they considered the time was ripe for a system of grading and paying out on quality. After a short discussion the following motion was carried: “That this executive is of opinion that if pig suppliers were sending all their pigs to a co-operative concern it would be a good move to buy on quality, but under the present system in South Taranaki it would not be advisable to sell on grade.” LISTS OF MEMBERS. The request for list of members of the branches was left to, the secretaries of the branches. ORGANISER’S REPORT. Mr. L. H. McAlpine, after regretting his inability to be present at the meeting, said that the few days’ work necessary to complete Ararata, Fraser Road, Mokoia, Hurleyville, and Inaha lie would do when he returned to do North Taranaki. He had enrolled about 600 members, making the south total about 800. He continued: “I have found the farmer quite willing to join the .union when lie understands we are making definite efforts and substantial progress.” Practically all new members have given orders on their factories' and have become subscribers to the paper. “If our union,” he added, “is to’ have any influence or weight we must insist on members taking it .seriously and being loyal to the will ofi the conference and to the leaders, w,ho! ; are splendid men, whom we may dis-i : courage and lose if we do not support; ; them.” He acknowledged gratefully: ! ! the assistance given by many friends; j in accompanying and introducing him i to farmers, sacrificing time and tak-i ' ;ing .much trouble. He said lie Avas; convinced all members could he held; ~b y occasional rallies and'socials, added ; to the influence of the paper, and said he.would he pleased to help whenever possible at these functions. Another ' suggestion made by him was an interchange of ideas by leading men going into one another’s districts, which would do no end of good. He suggested that delegates from Mangamingi, ! Rawhitiroa, Lowgarth, Opunake, ,Pihama, Awatuna, and -Okaiawa should be invited to .attend executive meetings, and -regretted that he had been unable to form branches at Kaponga, Eltham, and Te Roti, but hoped to do this on his return. He referred with cordial approval to the work of the competitions in root-growing and calf-rearing, and to the local shoivs, and hoped the maximum capitation , w'onld he given to them. In'.regard to the boys’ and girls’ clubs, he said he believed strong financial support could be secured from the townspeople, so that the whole cost would not fall on the executive, -and he added that he would be pleased to give £5 towards this fund. The president, referring to the good enrolling work ,of the organiser, said that the value of the union could hardly be stressed too much, and that if the union were wined out farmers would soon realise the disadvantage. Members referred to the saving in benzine, manures, seeds, etc., by buying in bulk. It was agreed that the suggestion by the organiser to arrange rallies and socials was good and would be a distinct advantage. CALF JUDGING. It was reported that the judging would begirt next week, and all farmers were urged to take an interest in the scheme. FARMERS’ FINANCE. The president referred briefly to the dropping of the Agricultural Banks Bill and the introduction, of a new scheme by the Minister for Finance. He said this scheme was being very favourably reviewed by leading men in the union, and that it looked like a. step in the right direction and a framework on which to build a solid super- . structure. ACCOUNTS. Accounts totalling £l9 were passed for payment. NEXT MEETING. Owing to the date falling just after the New Year it was resolved to cut out one meeting .and resume again in February. COMPLIMENTARY. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the president for his able conduct of the meetings, Mr. John Forbes paying jj,lr. Dunn a special tribute for his coming to the assistance of the executive when in difficulties. The president, responding, thanked membei s for the help given him in the conduct of the business, and the Hawera Star for hearty support, and wished all the compliments of the season. This concluded the business and the meeting then adjourned.