Feilding Fanners’ Union

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 82, 7 April 1938, Page 3

Feilding Fanners’ Union

ANNUAL REPORT The annual meeting of the Feilding branch of the Farmers ’ Union is to be ! held on Friday afternoon when the following annual report will be presented:— It is with pleasure that the executive committee of the Feilding branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union has to report not only a most satisfactory year’s working, but .a period of considerable achievement and advancement on the part of the branch. Problems arose which called for full and deep consideration by the executive and that all were dealt with to the mutual satisfaction of all concerned speaks well for the efforts made. It will be remembered that when the year under review commencd no finality had ben reached in regard to the vexed question of the proposed schedule of transport charges and towards this end several conferences with representatives of the Feilding Road Transport Alliance and Mr. P. Skoglund, chairman of the No. 2 Licensing Authority, took place. After a complete investigation of all the facts, unanimity was reached on all points and it is now satisfactory to note that the Feilding schedule has ! not only worked satisfactorily in this district but has been made the basis of agreements in other parts. j Another point of more than usual importance to members was the objection the branch entered against the proposed 1937-3 S Shearers’ Award. Arising out, of this members of the New Zealand Sheepowners’ Federation visited Feilding in an endeavour to explain matters in connection with the award, the visit resulting in the formation of a branch of the federation in Feilding with the expressed desire to work along lines of continuity of interest with the union. An activity which affected the branch as a whole was made in October last when a drive for members commenced, the union organiser, Mr. Neiderer, acting in conjunction with mombers of the executive. The district was thoroughly canvassed and as a result of the drive the membership -was raised to nearly 300, a figure which the executive feels should be regarded as a minimum for such a district as this.

The executive has to report that owing to meetings not being very well attended, the plan of holding monthly meetings in the various country centres was adopted, speakers being engaged to address the meeting. Very successful gatherings were held at Colyton and lviwitea but the meeting at Kata did not eventuate owing to lack of attendance. The executive would emphasise that interest in the union is the first duty of a member and that a greater amount of good can be done for all by the co-operation and support of all.