Feilding Farmers’ Union

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7106, 15 March 1933, Page 3

Feilding Farmers’ Union

ANNUAL REPORT The annual meeting of the Feilding branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union will be held this evening at the Drill hall when the following annual report will bo presented:— When the last annual report was submitted to members the hope was expressed that rock bottom had been reached for prices for our primary products. Unfortunately this hope has not been realised —values show a further decline and financially many of our farmers are in a parlous position. Our Government at long last has apparently awakened to the absolute necessity of tackling some of the many problems facing our primary industry and it is to be sincerely hoped that the lifting of tho exchange rate, the extension of the operations of the Mortgagors Relief Act and a further reduction in interest charges will at least afford our farmers a slight measure of assistance. Legislative action will not, however, soivo our problems and we cannot look for or expect any material improvement unless and until order is brought out of the present chaotic conditions prevailing in every country. The world is topsy turvy. Never has the volume of production of man’s requirements reached such a high level as exists today, and never has thero been so much misery, poverty and distress. Financially the world is trembling in the balance. The existiug system had failed to meet present-day requirements and it appears inevitable that drastic alterations must be mado in our currencysystem. At tho moment the world is in the midst of an economic and financial revolution and tho outcome of this revolution cannot be foretold. The outlook is not bright but you farmers must fight on, farm your lands to the best of your ability and with such means as you have at your disposal. Maintain your farms to the highest possible pitch of productivity. Do your best, no man can do more, and display the qualities exhibited by those pioneers who first made prosperity possible. —qualities of self-reliance, co-opera-tion and goodwill. During tho year the branch held its regular executive meetings and also arranged two general meetings of farmers. One, which was very- well attended, was addressed by Mr. H. Atrnore, M.P., and the branch’s thanks arc due to him for the very able address given. The other meeting was also well attended and at which a resolution was passed moving a vote of confidence in the Government’s action in increasing the rate of exchange, though it was held that the increase should have taken place before the farmers’ production period was practically over. The branch held a meeting at Cheltenham for the presentation of prizes won at the root crop competition and which was addressed by Mr. R. P. Connell, of the Department of Agriculture. The branch’s thanks arc due to the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union for tho great help given at this function and for tho supper provided. Thanks are also due to Mrs. J. G. Eliott and the Misses Eliott for the musical items rendered.

Your branch, again conducted the root crop competition and it was a success. Air. A. J. Baxter won the competition for mangolds with a great crop weighing out 98 tons to the acre, and Air. W. G. Booth was a close second with 96 tons to the acre. The other competition for mangolds and swedes combined was won by Air. W. G. Booth with a 96-ton crop of mangolds and a 50-ton crop of swedes. Air. Booth won outright the rose bowl and has generously offered to donate another for competition.

The organiser visited the district during the latter iiart of the year and for the time of the year—harvest time —he worked with great success. One hundred and fifty members were enrolled or re-enrolled. Some of these, of course, represented a few whose orders had run out or who had not paid their subscriptions. The branch’s thanks are due to those gentlemen, who at no smail cost to themselves, gave up their time to go round with the organiser. A separate branch has been formed at Apiti—members will remember that the Apiti branch formed themselves into a sub-branch of this branch and henceforth our district in that direction goes as far as the Apiti gorge. We wish the Apiti branch success in their new venture.

It is with regret that I have to announce the resigantioa of Air. James

Penney as secretary to the branch. Air. Penney has filled this important position for a great number of years With every credit to himself and with satisfaction to the executive. Alcm'bers will be pleased to know, however, that Air. Noel Penney has agreed to carry on the duties and as he has an intimate knowledge of the work your branch is fortunate in securing his services. In conclusion I wish to thank all members for tho help given at various times, the Press and tho secretary for his able support and I sincerely hope that this coming year will witness a return of better conditions.