KAPONGA FARMERS ASSEMBLE

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 28 July 1932, Page 7

KAPONGA FARMERS ASSEMBLE

ADDRESSES CREATE INTEREST

BRANCH OF UNION FAVOURED.

There was a good attendance of farmers from Kaponga and R.iverlea districts at the meeting convened at Kaponga by Mr D. P. F. Malone to consider the formation of a branch of the Farmers’ Union. After a discussion a motion to form a branch for Kaponga was adopted unanimously. A feature of the meeting was the desire expressed by several farmer® to - secmore co-operation and combined effort for the good of the district and of the industry.

Mr Malone stated the objects of the meeting and Mr A. V. Tait was voted to the chair. In taking the position Mr Tait said he feared farmers had been somewhat apathetic in matters that were vital to them all.

A number of apologies for absence were received.

BOBBY CALF INDUSTRY.

Mr C. Dickie addressed the meeting on the subject of the bobby calf industry, stressing, as in previous addresses, the urgent need of co-ordina-tion and a realisation of the necessity of radically reducing the cost of. collection of the calves, otherwise there would be nothing in it for anybody. Actually it was found last year 85 per cent of the proceeds -went in costs, and unless the conditions were altered the business would be of no value to farmers or to freezing works. Mr Dickie was convinced there would 1 be a rise in skins in the near future.

He gave interesting details of the position of the meat industry _in various parts of the world, showing how supplies had increased tremendously and prices had correspondingly fallen. A similar position had! beep reached in the pig industry, in which huge losses had been made by Denmark and other Continental countries.

In reply to a question, Mr Dickie said the costs at Patea. works were as low as could be found anywhere. He stressed the need of farmers doing their part if they were to secure any return from their calves and of quick collection on a territorial basis, so as to avoid the wasteful overlapping of previous seasons. The chairman, in moving a vote of thanks to Mr Dickie, said that farmers could make a big saving if they stood together. FARMERS’ UNION MATTERS. Mr E. J. Betts, president of the South Taranaki Executive of the Farmers’ Union, -said that he hoped farmers at Kaponga would decide to form a branch. Mr Bloomfield, union organiser, outlined some of the advantages' to be gained bv joining the union. Mr W.E. Carter strongly advised the farmers present to form a branch, recalling among other things the 12£ per cent rebate on rates secured by the union. He referred to the large amount of valuable work done -by the Dominion Executive. On the motion of Mr W. Gordge, seconded by Mr D. Malone, it . was unanimously resolved to form a branch. It was decided to hold the first meeting for the election of officers on Wednesday, August 3. Approval of the decision was expressed vhv Mr E. J. Betts, -who said that he considered Kaponga could form one of the strongest branches. SMALL FARM SCHEME.

A brief address was also given by Mr H. R. Denize on the small farm scheme, with special reference to its extended features. He expressed the thanks of the department to the Press of the district for generous help,, and added that the orginal scheme had not been dropped and was going well in several districts. The provision _of buildings on farms for selected families who had ’ experience in farming would be very valuable to the industry and to those people who -were unfortunately out of employment. This 1 would lead to increased production, development of the scope for employment and to a contented people. He hoped_ the farmers would get together and have the. job done. The scheme could not solve the unemployment problem, but it 'would be a contribution and w T ould. enable people to get a home and retain their self-respect. „ „ . Tn reply to Mr Williams, Mr Denize said the question of settlement of the ha ckblocks was impossible, as men were walking off already. Mr Garter added that it would pay the Government to help such men by keening them on the land. Votes of thanks were accorded Mr Betts, Mr Bloomfield and Mr Denize for their addresses, and a similar vote to the chairman and to Mr Malone for convening the meeting concluded the proceedings. . Suhseouently the visitors from Hawera, Okaiawa and: Mangatoki were entertained by Mr Malone to supper.