FARMERS’ UNION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 9, 8 December 1937, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION

WELLINGTON AREA EXECUTIVE. HOLDING PADDOCKS DISCUSSED. A meeting of the Wellington central executive of the Farmers’ Union was held at Marton yesterday, Mr Lloyd Hammond presiding. Mr J. B. S. Dudding suggested that there should be uniformity respecting the conditions of the union’s shooting competition, and he understood that members were not in agreement as to whether service conditions or defence club conditions should prevail.—The chairman stated that headquarters were anxious to obtain an opinion on the question, and he suggested that Mr Dudding’s club make a recommendation direct to headquarters. A letter was received from headquarters stating that the matter of issuing a farmers’ handbook was under consideration. —Mr Hammond stated that he would bring the matter up at the Dominion executive meeting to be held this week. The value of such a book to all farmers was realised and it was hoped that something could be done in the matter. Reports were received from the subcommittees set up at the last meeting to deal with the matter of stockholding paddocks throughout the countryside. Mr V. Toulmin stated that the Rangitikei County Council had decided to approach property owners at different points with the objected creating an additional 25 holding paddocks. The idea was that property owners lease to the county on a peppercorn rental an area of at least three acres for use as a holding paddock. The county would undertake to fence and subdivide the area and maintain it. while the farmer would be responsible for collecting the fees. Mr Toulmin said the difficulty appeared to concern the collection of the fees, as often the holding paddock would be some distance away from the homestead and the farmer would not bother about going out. He hoped that the farmers "who had been approached by the county councils would co-operate and thus place the position on a more reliable basis. , The position in the Oroua County was stated not to be difficult, with the exception perhaps of the AshbnrstBunnythorpe route, where a paddock was needed. , The president expressed the .hope that the efforts of the sub-committees would ultimately result in the establishment of sufficient, holding paddocks throughout the district. Mr Dudding alleged that he knew that a certain fertiliser which was not in accordance with the certified analysis. He had used about a ton of the mixture before he found out that it was largely lime. The chairman said Mr Dudding had the remedy in his own hands, and i was for him to take appropriate action Mr Dudding sai-d that he had brought the matter up in case other farmers were using the same fertiliser and had not noticed the absence ot the usual ingredients. The meeting closed with an expression of seasonal greetings from the chair Mr D. L. Younger, reciprocating on behalf of the gathering.