N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 5 July 1928, Page 9

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE. ORDINARY MEETING. Business of much interest/ was conducted at the monthly meeting of the Soutii Taranaki Proincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ .Union this morning, when. Air. E. J. Betts (president) was in the chair, and there were present Messrs. H. E. Johnson, H. Wells (Tokaora), A. C. Ricketts (Eltliarn), D. M. Cameron (Okaiawa), 31. Davison, J. Cocker (Eltham), W. E. Carter (Mangatoki), W. T. Seed (Matapu), L. A. Jennings (Fraser Road), 11. Hodge (Alton), and A. C. Langlands (Auroa). Mr. E. lv. Cameron (provincial secretary) was in attendance. . ORGANISER’S REPORT.

An interesting report was supplied by the organiser (Mr. Bruce Gillies), stating that since June 1 he had visited 16G farmers and had seen 126, of whom 93 were em-olled. For the period during which he had been in the district he had enrolled 495 members, equal to 70 per cent of the farmers seen, out of 849 he had visited. This worked out at os 2d per member obtained. He added that it had worked out higher than lie had expected, but was- due largely to extra running about trying to get some of the districts going.

In regard to organisation, it would be necessary to devise some-method of holding the members now enrolled, and he suggested following the example. of some other districts and setting up ah organisation committee to control the work. It was difficult to keep up the membership, and without someone whose special duty it was to attend to the work he 'feared the union would again lose many of those enrolled.

He said lie was very disappointed that the scheme for co-operative buying was not further advanced. There were difficulties in the way of getting produce from the South Island, blit nevertheless he was sure many could be overcome and a good saving made. The barley'market in Marlborough deserved attention, and it appeared it would be possible to get- farmers- to I grow barley at a contract price. Marlborough farmers had for some time grown barley under contract for brewers. So far there was no contract made, and it might-therefore be possible to come to an arrangement about the price for next year’s pig feed. The movement for concessions appeared to be growing fast, and would help materially to hold members together. He suggested that where possible this should be done- through the executive, arid not by branches, so as to make concessions available to all members in South Taranaki. Most of the old members" know nothing of the scheme, and he suggested a leaflet should be. prepared showing what concessions they could get. The cost would be small, and it "'would show them that something was being done to help them. Districts waiting to have branches formed were Fraser Road, Noimanby, Te Roti, Manaia, Oprinake, Alton (including Hurleyille, Manutahi and Kakaramea), Mokoia, and Whakamara. As the canvass- in some places has been finished for two months, he urged the executive to give urgent attention to the matter. He acknowledged cordial assistance received from Messrs. Chambers (Opunake), Pettigrew (Pihama), Barker (Awatuna), Betts (Okaiawa), Bell (Mokoia), and H. R. Scott (Whakamara). In conclusion, he. thanked the executive and all who assisted him in the work, and assured them that he greatly appreciated the many kindnesses shown to him. He hoped that the executive would long continue in the good work being done for the farmers •of South Taranaki. It was agreed that Mr. Gillies be requested to return to South Taranaki to complete the work so soon as he had completed his duties in North Taranaki. Arrangements were made tentatively to hold meetings to form the suggested branches.

GENERAL. It was resolved to apply for a loan of £IOO from the Dominion Executive so that the work could he carried on satisfactorily and efficiently. There had been the secretary renorted, a lot of expense in connection with the canvass campaign. Reference was made by Mr. IV. E. Carter to the annual ball, and he said that unavoidable delay had been encountered. but the' matter would be taken up this month.