IMPROVED POSITION

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 174, 24 June 1926, Page 7

IMPROVED POSITION

DAIRY FARMERS’ UNION

ANNUAL REPORT. Tho annual report of the president of tho Dairy Farmers’. Union (Mr N. Campbell), for presentation at tho annual meeting of that body next Thursday is as follows: “I am pleased to say. that the financial position of the union has materially improved during the last twelve months. It will be seen from the bal-ance-sheet that we closed the year with a bank overdraft of £66 12s 4d compared with £274 8s 2d on March 31, 1925, and £442 10s Id on March 31, 1924. • „, , “Although your executive confidently anticipates showing a credit balance at the end of the next financial* year, it is being realised that more organising and branch work will have to be done in the future, thereby incurring increased expenditure. In this respect, it is most gratifying to note the maintenance of our membership, resignations being very few and mainly from members who have given op farming. “The past season has been a peculiar one in many respects. A most unfavourable spring after a mild winter was followed by a strike of British seamen in New Zealand ports disorganising the shipping of our produce' for the best part of the season. As a result London butter prices rose to 234 s in October, and on arrival of heavy shipments dropped again to 164 s by Christmas time. Cheese followed a more or less similar course, reaching 120 s in October and receding to 96s in December. During the earlier part of the year butter prices remained in the neighbourhood of 170 s, while cheese fluctuated between 92s and 98s. Since then, the general strike in Great Britain further affected prices, although the prospects for the rest of tho season’s make are a little brighter at present. “The question of dairy control is still agitating the minds of many dairy farmers. At a large conference held at Wellington in April your executive made strenuous endeavours to secure a continuance of tho ’one man one vote principle of electing the Dairy Board, but failed. On tho other hand, the ‘ward system’ was agreed’ to almost unanimously. According to an announcement by the Dairy Produce Board the absolute control of butter and cheese will commence on September 1. “Every attention is given by your executive to the question of herd testing. The importance and valu.e of ‘knowing your cows’ is becoming more and more recognised and understood. Excellent work in this connection is being done by the Rangiotii Farmers Union Herd Testing Association. . “Your executive is fully convinced that with lower prices for butter and cheese the dairy farmer must look for a more profitable use of liis by-pro-ducts, and the development of our pig industry with a judicious system of pork export cannot be over estimated. Your executive has been consistently working with this object in view and hopes to be able to give you some definite information in the near future. In tho meantime, the bright prospect of a profitable export business on a co-operative basis fully justifies the increased breeding and stocking of pigs for the coming season. Your executive is convinced that in order to successfully compete on the world’s markets, better farming and more extensive top dressing is essential. During the coming months it is the intention of your executive to give special attention to the question of fertilisers and to tho best methods of financing farmers for the purchase of artificial manures. Good, work could be done in this connection by cooperative dairy companies in helping their suppliers financially. “Members were, no doubt, pleased to read the Prime Ministers announcement that an Agricultural College as well as an up-to-date Dairy Institute will be established at an early date. There is every likelihood that both will be established in the Wellington Province and they will undoubtedly prove of immense benefit to primary producers. “The executive wishes to extend its thanks to those who. during the past year, so generously helped to further the interests of the union. It is hoped that their loyal support and assistance will be extended to tho incoming executive.”

MEETING OF PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE.

PIG PRICES PROMISE WELL,

Tho monthly meeting of the Wellington provincial executive of the Dairy Farmers' Union was held this afternoon, Mr Neil Campbell, provincial and Dominion president, presiding. There were also present: Messrs J. Boyce, G. Wagstaff; S. E. Algar, J. Fowler, W. G. Short, C. I Harkness and G. F. Haar.

Tho chairman reported • having, together with other members of the executive, attended the annual meeting of tho Woodville branch, .which was in a flourishing condition. It had been pointed out to that meeting that, in the matter of the mode of election of the Dairy Control Board, the executive had merely carried out the wishes of the union. Correspondence was dealt with as follows:

From Dalgety and Company, Ltd., in respect to the North Island Dairy Companies’ Pig Co-operation, and advising that tho price for well-finished pigs of not less than 1201bs in weight remained at 6d per lb, although certain districts had dropped to old per lb. In view of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in England the prospects for export at the commencement of the new season were particularly hopeful.—Received. From Mr E. J. Rose, Rongotea, advising that a meeting of Rongotea branch members could not be held, as by mistake all the branch officers elected were Carnarvon residents. It did not seem much use trying to hold a meeting, and in nay case the papers reported all the union business transacted at Palmerston North. The writer and Mr 11. Fieldhouse would attend the provincial conference to be held at 11 a.m. on July 1 at tho A. and P. Hall, Palmerston North. — Received.

From the branch secretary at Putorino reporting that eight members attended the annual meeting of that branch, whereat Mr A. Cameron was elected chairman and Mr G. F. Haar secretary, these to be' the delegates to tho conference. —Received. From Mr L. C. Baron, liquidator of tho New Zealand Meat Packing and Bacon Co., Ltd., advising that he could not attend a suggested meeting at Palmerston North of shareholders in the company to discuss the question of the call made, although he would consider any representations.— It was decided to again ask Mr Baron to attend a meeting at Palmerston North.