DAIRY FARMERS’ UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 143, 21 May 1925, Page 3

DAIRY FARMERS’ UNION

AOKAUTERE BRANCH. The annual meeting o£ the Aokautere branch of the Dairy Farmers’ Union was held last night in the Aokautere Hall, the brunch president, Mr 0. W. Williams, being in the chair. Thoro was a good attendance of members, while the Dominion president, Mr N. Campbell, and the organising secretary, Mr J. I. For, were present by invitation. . In addressing the members, the chairman regretted that he had not been in a position to give more time and attention to the branch. At the samo time, he stated, tho union had dono much useful work during the past 12 months. The industry had pussed through a very trying time, and their organisation, which fully understood the troubles of the dairy farmers, had done much to find remedies and improve the lot of tho individual producer. The speaker stressed the necessity of cheaper money, which - was the only way of compensating to a certain extent for the high land values from which most farmers were suffering. The Government had dono everything possible by reducing the farmers’ taxation and, although it could not reduce land values, it might be able to help them by finding money at a lower rate of interest. This was the greatest handicap the producer was suffering from to-day. . . After thanking the branch for the invitation to be present, Mr Campbell stated that ho was pleased to see such a good meeting. Referring to past activities of the union, ho said that their organisation was mainly responsible for the extension of the moratorium, the removal of the farmers’ income tax and the reduction in the land tax. Regarding the revaluation of returned soldiers’ settlements, the union had never ceased to urge revaluation on a basis that would make it possiblo for the men to make a living, at least. Although not successful in the past, the union had niot given up hope to bring the bacon industry of New Zealand in the hands of co-operative companies. A\hat the industry hail done with butter and cheese, it could do with bacon. The system of election of members of the Control Board was an important matter _ now before the union. The speaker pointed out the absurdities of the present system, where farmers were asked to vote for men they had never heard of. The present system made it possible for the AVaikato district to elect any member it wished. Addressing the meeting on the value of organisation, Air Fox said that there was never a greater necessity for tho union than at the present time. Every section of the community from the consumer to the labourer was becoming organised, while the question of re-establishing their paper would be discussed at the coming conference, and he hoped that it would be possible for tho union to again conduct its own periodical. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows : —President, Mr W. R. Hopcroft; vice-president, Mr W. Ferguson; secretary, Mr H. Kendall; committee, Messrs Pinfold, Chowan, Brill, Gosling and Lankshear; delegates to the provincial conference, Messrs Hopcroft and Kendall. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the outgoing president, and the regret was expressed that ho was leaving the district. Votes of thanks were also accorded Messrs Campbell and Fox.