FARMERS' UNION.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLIV, Issue XLIV, 7 May 1924, Page 2

FARMERS' UNION.

ANNUAL MEETING OF WAVERLEY JittANCH. J The annual meeting of the Waverley i Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held on Friday, Mr. McGregor presiding, in the absence of Mr. ' Blennerha'ssett. j The. balance-sheet, which showed a debit of £5 75., was adopted. Mr. Straehan mentioned in connection with the balance-sheet that there was a sum •of about £0 refund .to come to the ! branch, which would leave them with a small credit balance. j The election of officers resulted as follows :*—President, Mr. F, Blennerhassett; vice-president, Mr. F. R. j Palmer; treasurer, Mr. Alex. Howie; secretary, Mr. J. E. Palmer; committee, last year's committee were reelected, with power to add. Delegate to Provincial Conference, Mr. F. R. { Palmer. j The chairman called upon Messrs. ; Straehan and Parsons to give an outj line of the year's work of the Union. ! A lot of farmers, he said, did not real- ! ise the vast amount of work that was I being done by the faithful few for the ' benefit of the many. In these days of unions for everybody it was up to the farmers to stick together. The Farmers' Union has been instrumental in benefiting the farmers in many ways. The reduction in wool freights was one item that was of direct financial benefit. Mr. Straehan then gave an interesting outline of the Union's activities. The Union, during the year, he said, had interested themselves in dog trials, rifle matches, and boys' and girls' agricultural clubs, all of which had been very successful. The Union had also been successful in getting the wool freights reduced by a farthing a lb, and through the efforts of the Union a Rabbit Board had been f.ormed, which was doing all possible to prevent the spread of the pest in the district. They had also interested themselves in junior immigration. A very fine class of boy was coming "out from Home, and the experiment promised to be a very successful one. Efforts had been made during the year to form a Veterinary Association, but owing to lack of s up- . port the scheme was abandoned. The I same 'applied to herd testing. The j Union had also arranged lectures in the various districts by some of the highest authorities on subjects of inter, est to farmers."and some very interesting and instructive lectures had resulted. Mr. Straehan also dealt with the work carried out by the Dominion '■Executive during the year. I Mr. Parsons said that it was the intention of the Union to hold a, "rally week," when it was hoped that all branches and members would make j every endeavour to get new members. It was also proposed to increase the subscription by 2s 6d per annum, which sum would be devoted to the propaganda fund. Mr. Parsons then answered several questions in connection with the Rabbit bit Board. It was resolved that Mr. Hudson' be asked to lecture in Waverley on the subject of pastures, and it was left to Mr. Straehan to arrange a suitable date. " The meeting closed with a hearty v-oHa :<<F thanks to Messrs Parson*, Straehan and the chair. —Press.