N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Matamata Record, Volume XIII, Issue 1111, 3 April 1930, Page 6

N.Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

PUTARURU BRANCH. The monthly meeting of the Putaruru branch of the Farmers’ Union was held on Saturday when Mr. A. R. Vosper presided over a small attendance. Fanners’ Tour. The provincial secretary (Mr. A. E. Robinson) wrote in reference to the proposed farmers’ tour to the South Island, asking that names be handed in early in April. The president, Mr. A. R. Vosper, stated that he understood that a number of local and district farmer's had signified their intention of making the trip.—Received. Relief Works. The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward), in acknowledging the union’s views on the question of the absorbing of the unemployed and placing them on relief works, stated that it was not the intention of the Government to send farm workers to relief works when employment in their own occupation was offering. Further, no employment was offered to men who were leaving their normal occupations with the object of being placed on Government works. Moreover, offers of employment under the Government employment scheme were not made to men in country districts until ample time had elapsed for them to obtain private employment in their districts, if it had been available. Men on the relief works were employed on the co-operative contract system wherever possible and were paid by results, so that their earnings depended on personal initiative and industry.—Received. Control of Ragwort. The Director-General of Agriculture (Dr. C. J. Reakes), in reply to the request that some of the cinnabar moth be liberated in the Putaruru district, stated that the request would he considered along with similar applications, but the supply was limited. The letter closed with the statement that the control of ragwort by the moth was still in the experimental stage.—Received. * Factory for Putaruru. The president, Mr. A. R. Vosper, said that he understood that the Putaruru Town Board had offered the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company a free site for the establishment of a factory in Putaruru. He suggested that the union should send a letter also backing up the Town Board's efforts. The opinion was expressed that Putaruru was the ideal centre for a factory, and it was decided to write to the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company on the matter. ANNUAL MEETING.

Following on ‘the monthly meeting of the Putaruru branch of the Farm- • ers* Union, the annual meeting of the branch was held on Saturday. Mr. A. R. Vosper was elected chairman. The balance-sheet showed that when several accounts are paid there would be a credit balance of approximately £6> Report. The annual report as submitted by the retiring president (Mr. A. R. Vosper) stated that something had been done towards brightening the social life of the farming community. Farmers from Canterbury, Otago, Southland and Australia had visited the Putaruru district. The picnic (now an annual event) was success- ' ful and enjoyable. The credit balance from that source was £3. The branch had assisted in forming a branch of the W.E.A. in Putaruru. Meetings were held in various centres when Mr. J. R. O. Lochhead gave addresses on the rating on unimproved value system, and with the exception of Tirau the large majority of those present were in favour of that method of rating. The thanks of the union was due to Mr. Lochhead for the amount of time he had given. The branch sent £ll 7s 6d to the earthquake relief fund. The Rotorua Sub-provincial executive was set up during the year, and ; good work had been done. (Continued in Next Column)

Protests against protective customs and protective railway tariffs had been sent forward. The question of tree planting on lands suitable for farming had been gone into fully during the year, and strong protests had been sent forward. The branch could claim some of the credit due for the appointment of an extra stock inspector. The attendance at meetings left a ' lot to be desired, and it was the one ! weakness in their organisation. The report was adopted. The question of the best to secure a greater attendance at meetings was discussed, and it was eventually decided to hold monthly meetings, as at present, the idea of quarterly meetings being held to be retrograde. Election of Officers. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. A. R. Vosper; vicepresidents, Messrs. H. J. W. Scott, A. T. Morris; \ executive, Messrs. F. Peters, E. D. White, L. Addenbrooke, Fitness, Voyce and Scrivener; treasurer, Mr. J. R. 0. Lichhead; secretary, Mr. Scrivener. Votes of thanks were accorded the president (Mr. A. R. Vosper), and the retiring secretary (Mr. L. M. Nicklin) for their services.