Fanners' Union Matters

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7107, 16 March 1933, Page 3

Fanners' Union Matters

FEILDING BRANCH MEETING The annual meeting of the Poilding branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held last evening, Mr. J. C. Eliott presiding over a Small attendance of members. The chairman confessed that it was somewhat disconcerting to face such a poor response to the appeal sent out to members to attend the annual meeting. A matter of close upon 300 circulars had been sent out calling the meeting, and it was confidently felt that, farmers, realising the need for unity and co-operation, would heize the opportunity of getting together to discuss the advancement of their industrial welfare.

Following these remarks the chairman proceeded to read his report, published in yesterday’s Times. He briefly touched upon the capitation payments on account of members’ orders and expressed the opinion that something should be done to expedite the pay-, ment of money to the branch. Mr. A. Kidd seconded the report and balance-sheet.

Mr. W. L. Grice spoke of Mr. Penney’s services to the branch, holding that he was both capable and eouTte-| ous. He regretted that the branch 1 would lose liis services, but felt that his son, Mr. Noel Penney, would fill the role efficiently. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Officers were elected as follow: President, Mr. J'. H. Mason; vice-pre'si-dent, Mr. H. Richardson; committee, Messrs. Cr. Watt, J. B. Bradley, H. A. Stewart, ,T. G. Eliott, K. Carmen, A. Campbell, A. Kidd, A. Lawson, O.McElroy, J. McFarland, B. N. Sandilands, 0. Lucas, H. J. Booth, W. McLennan, D. L. Younger, S. Lodge, C. G. C. Dernier, W. G. Booth, W. L. Grice and J. H. Perrett; delegates to, provincial conference, Messrs. Stewart, Carmen and W. G. Booth; secretary, Mr. N. Penney. Before vacating the chair Mr. Eliott moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr James Penney, the retiring secretary. This was seconded by Mr. Kidd and the motion was earned with acclamation.

Mr. Penney briefly returned thanks. On the motion of Mr. Mason the meeting accorded Mr. Eliott a hearty vote of thanks for his services during the past year as president of the branch. Mr. Mason, on taking the chair, expressed the conviction that the union could do something in the direction of obtaining more favourable consideration of the farmers’ position in relation to charges for electricity. Under the existing arrangements it was only possible for power to be cut oil quarterly and this was not always . convenient. A monthly arrangement would bo more suitable. There Urns also the question of backing up the power boards in their effort to have the bulk charges made'by the Public Works Department reduced. The charge on the farmer was particularly hard and there should be some concession in regard to the minimum charge. Mr. A. E. Sandilands supported this and roundly condemned the action of the Manawatu-Oroua Power Board in breaking faith with consumers who installed the hot water service. Not only had the charge for this service been increased, but clocks had been put on to cut the power off. The chairman said that the reason for this was to cut the “peak.” The board did not foresee the power that would be used by the hot water service, and action had to be taken to cut the consumption.

A resolution to bring these matters before tho power board was carried. Mr. Grico felt that the union should make a request for the release in this district of the white butterfly paiasite. . Mr. Sandilands said that action had already been taken in this direction. The wasp had been liberated by Massey College a fortnight ago. Mr. Stewart agreed that the white butterfly would have to be tackled with “coats oil’.” Winter feed for sheep was likely to be endangered through tho ravages of the pest if drastic action were not taken to deal with the white butterfly, which was now very common in the district. It was decided to write to the Department of Agriculture for information on the subject and also for supplies of the parasite. Discussing tho question of holding winter meetings, Mr. Sandilands did not agree tha.t those addressed by departmental officials were alw'ays profitable. In the case of fertilisers it was avocated that four to five hundredweight should be put on per acre, and this was impossible for the average farmer, who had not the means. It was useless, therefore, for a farmer to be told that he could only make his farm by putting on this quantity of manure when he had not a ghost of a chance of financing tho undertaking. The chairman agreed that the lecturers were not always practical men, but they could impart valuable information on all phases of farming. It was suggested that fanners now

had tho benefit of radio talks on agriculture and would not bo interested in attending lectures. This was not sufficient, said Air. F. C. Ross, who claimed that the lecture was not tho end of the matter—it was the information gleaned through questions. He was in favour of tho lectures aud hoped the union would arrango meetings. Tho meeting agreed to arrange . for lectures to be given by qualified speakers during the winter months.