MANGATOKI.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 3 May 1928, Page 3

MANGATOKI.

FARMERS’ UNION. (From O'ur Own Correspondent.) Till© monthly meeting of the Mangatoki branch of the Fanners’. Union was held in the> local hall on Tuesday evening. Although only seven members were present, discussions on various subjects were carried on until a late hour. Mr. AV. EL Carter, president, presided over the meeting. Messrs. Parker and Nicholas were selected to represent Mangatoki at a conference to be held at Hawera on May 17. The president, in a short addi-ess, gave the opinion that the rural and intermediate credit system was most satisfactory to farmers. Ho pointed out how the farmer was working under a I much higher rate of interest than was necessary. With reference toj the “order” system of subscription, he said that it was also satisfactory and it eased the local secretaries of much of the inconvenience that was incurred in dealing with cash subscriptions. Speaking of the work of the union, the president stated that unless the farmers took more interest in it, its cause would not be progressive. He said that it was only, by the farmers keeping together iu their own interests that they would succeed, as it had been proved by all other industries*.

Mr. Gillies, the Dominion organiser, who rvas at present in the province, was doing excellent work, and, against great odds he had greatly increased the membership. On the motion of Mr. Carter and Mr. Cleaver it was decided to hold a root crop competition, while it was arranged for various* members to find donors of prizes. With regard to* the euchre parties, it was decided to commence them on Friday, May 11, particulars of which would be advertised later. Messrs. W. Carter, C. Nicholas, Schmidt, and Parker were appointed a committee to control the parties. A, considerable discussion on the] failure of last years “cull cow” drive took place. It rvas that the dealers outbid the works, but it was contended that the trouble was that- the culled cows were placed in other herds which was not increasing the* production, as otherwise would be the case. It was alleged th\rt dealers were making great profit by culled cows in this manner. The opinion was expressed that something would have to be done in the near future to mark the cows which did not produce the requir-* ed amount of butter-fat.