AWATUNA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 27 May 1925, Page 3

AWATUNA.

(From Our Own Correspondent..)

FARMERS’ UNION

In my report of the annual meeting of'the Awatuna branch of the Farmers’ Union I stated that “with a view to arousing interest amongst the To Kiri members it was decided to hold a rally night at Te Kiri, on. Thursday the 24th inst.” True to that promise,... quite a large proportion of the Awatuna. members journeyed to Te Kiri on that even., ing.to hear the very .interesting addresses . given by Mr. R. Dunn, president of the Taranaki Executive, and Mr W Lyndon, president of the Auroa branch. Although the weather was far from inviting there were a good number of the Te Kiri members present. Mr. H. Davison, president, occupied the chair, and after stating the object of the ■ meeting • introduced Messrs. £>unn. and. Lyndon, Mr; Dunn on rising neologised, for the absence of Messrs ‘K. and 0. Bourk'e, who had prior, engagements. ; Mr.. Dunn gave a very interesting address and told of the history of the Farmers? Union from its beginning, and then proceeded to enumerate the hundred and one improvements that had been brought about by the Union, many -of which were of far-reaching importance to the dairy farmers. Proceeding, Mr. Dunn read an address he delivered to the Taranaki Conference three years ago, and in it he predicted that the day was near at hand when there would be established some system of. co-operative selling of the dairy produce. The keeping together of the smaller- branches was always a difficult job, but it. had been Mr. Dunn’s experience that where branch -members promoted functions and competitions of local interest those branches remained the strongest and derived the maximum amount of good from the services of the Union.

Mr. Lyndon also gave an interesting address and said that provided the members always endeavoured to make their meetings interesting by the reading of papers, competitions, etc., he saw no reason why a -branch . should not. be started at Te Kiri. He. urged upon all. members to remain loyap to the- Union and to adopt as the slogan,. “If you cannot keep your branch going, keep the Union strong.” It might be that in the immediate future we might have a change- of Government. It was : hard to say at present just what might happen politically, and it behoved the farmers to he fully alive to their interests and to speak with one voice on the great questions that would confront the producers. In conclusion Mr. Lyndon, asked all members to loyally support their president and secretary, as they at all times carried the heavy responsibilities of a branch. The subsequent discussion brought tnuch useful information' to light.

Mr. A. Collins, in moving a hearty vobe of thanks to Messrs Dunn and Lyndon, suggested that perhaps some scheme could be devised whereby, a levy could be placed on all dairy farmers for the Farmers’ Union. Further, .the speaker asked if it could not he arranged for the Te Kiri members of the branch to have meetings in their hall without always going to Awatuna,. as it was this travelling during winter weather that killed the enthusiasm of even keen workers. After some discussion, in which it seemed, that the proposal to hold the meetings in each pi ace . alter nately pad most- favour-, it was-decided to hold another meeting at- an early date ap'd finally arrange a programme of meetings. Mr. Hughes seconded the vote of thanks, which was carried by acclamation, after which all present were provided: with'Supper, which ended a very interesting evening. FANCY DRESS BALL. There are many indications that the plain and fancy dress hall to be held in the Awatuna Hall on Friday, evening will he a great success. There promises to be a good many patrons in fancy dress, and' what with Taylor’s Premier Orchestra to provide, the music, and the enthusiastic manner: in which both the ladies’ and men’s committees are working, a big night, packed with joy and merriment, should result.