FARMERS’ UNION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 26 February 1925, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION.

MATAPU BRANCH. A meeting of the Matapu branch of the Farmers’ Union was held an tne Matapu Hall on Alonday evening. Mr R. H. Free (president; occupied the chair. BOOT CHOPS COMPETITIONS. In replv to Mr L. Preece, the secre- ; tarv (Mr R. C. T reweek) stated that a total of 39 entries had been received in the branch root crops competitions for 1925. Entries in the different classes —mangolds, carrots and swedes —were 18. 12 and 9 respectively, lhe figures showed an encouraging increase on the year, when the in the. same classes had been 12, 8 and I 8 respectively—a total of 28. < . I Discussing arrangements for judging, the chairman pointed out that it nad tak#n place last year on May 30 and 31 He thought that the latter end of Mav would be a suitable time this year, provided it met the convenience of the judge. . . , It was decided to communicate witn Mr J W Deem, asking if he could arrange to officiate as judge during the last week in May. ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS.

The chairman commended members present on the continued interest evinced in the affairs of the union, but expressed regret that many of the newly-enrolled members were not appearing at the meetings. He anticipated, however, that during the comin£ months interest would be stimulated, and attendances, particularly of the newer members, would prove 1 As a means of adding attraction to the meetings, Mr Preece proposed that experts in stock or agricultural mattern, such as Mr R. B. Wood (Government veterinary surgeon)- and Mr J. W Deem (Department of Agriculture), he requested to deliver lectures under the auspices of the branch.—The suggestion met with approval, and it was decided in the first instance to approach Mr Deem with reference to a lecture at an early date. . GENERAL. The objectionable practice of dumpino- heaps of weeds on roadsides was mentioned by Air Seed, who, in emphasising the necessity for preventive measures, pointed out that such weeds should be destroyed, and said the effect of allowing the growths to germinate and flourish on the highways, with the consequent broadcasting of the seed, was exceedingly discouraging to property holders who. were taking action to secure eradication. His views were fully endorsed by the meeting, the opinion being expressed that members of county councils might make a practice of reporting instances and securing the removal of such heaps. A. vote of tlufjiks to Mr. K. Sharp was recorded in appreciation of his services as musician on. the occasion of the recent annual social. DOAHNION AFFAIRS The secretary (Air. R. C. Treweefri read circular correspondence received

fiom union headquarters, including minutes of the executive meeting held on January 20, and various matters ol Dominion interest. * The minutes stated, inter alia, that the executive had been advised by the A 1 mister of Finance that it was not possible to disclose particulars of a report made by a valuer, because it was a. confidential communication, to the department often, containing statements concerning the financial position, character, etc., of the applicant.—The executive had decided to ask the departmen.t it it would supply va-lufi-tion figures only. With reference to_ an eradication bonus, the Minister of Agricultuie had written stating that the Government was prepared to pay a bonus ol PR) 000 for the discovery of a satisfactory specific for the destruction 01 blackberry. As gor.se did not offer the same difficulty in the matter of eradication the Government did not consider it necessary to offer a. reward for a method of extermination. The Dominion levy had been discussed, the opinion being that the levy t ;t headquarters should be increased, and it had been decided to notify provincial executives that the amount |>er member reuqiretl for payment of necessary expenditure for the year commencing Ist April, 1925, be 10*. A It had been further decided to recommend to the next annual conference that the minimum, annual .subscription he fixed at 80s. . A report received from ' the Unde Secretary of Immigration, with respect to the boy immigrants brought out under the auspices of the union had staled that 109 boys had already arrived and 13 more were Lie i>» February. On the wink the -.elmme had been a great suec“.*>, and there was every urospect of the majqritv of the iads becoming first-class settlers. The organisation report had showed that Mr. T. Buxton, working in South Canterbury, had enrolled 216 members since the " previous executive meeting. Air L. Mo Alpine had completed his w’dvk in South Taranaki after having secured 530 orders. Ho had a 1 so completed some organising in, North Auckland and was now working in the Poverty Bay district. A report received by the executive concerning the activities of the N.Z. Meat Producers’ Board showed that since the board came into operation it hail obtained reductions in shipping freights as follow: 1922-23 season, £575(000 >. 1923-24. £164.000; contract just completed, £120.000 —a total ol £8597000. The report pointed out that these and other reductions obtained effected not onlv the value of frozen livestock, but also the value of the whole of the livestock in the Dominion, as the value of stores is based on the vrlue of fats. The increase ir values effected was estimated as follows: 60'ih sheep. 5/4 per head: 351 b i«i*nl>. 3/10 per head: 7501 b bullock. £2 i9s 6d per head; 901 b pig, 9/4 per head.