WOODVILLE FARMERS’ UNION

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 95, 24 April 1939, Page 2

WOODVILLE FARMERS’ UNION

Branch Annual Meeting REMIT TO GO FORWARD The annual general meeting of tho Woodville branch of the Farmers’ Union was well attended on Friday evening. Mr. J. C. Bolton presided. Circulars from provincial headquarters gave notice of the inter-provincial conference, which is to be held at Masterton on May 25 and 26, and also of a field day which is to be held at Dannevirke next month. Mr. Bolton reported briefly on the combined executives’ meeting at Waipukurau as a means of strengthening the union in Hawke’s Bay. With regard to the formation of a separate rabbit board for Southern Hawke’s Bay, Mr. Bolton traced the steps that had been taken and declared that about next March, Woodville, Dannevirke and Weber counties would be required to elect their own rabbit board with beneficial results, as in the last 12 months he doubted whether even an inspection had been made in this area. He pointed out that tho present situation of part of a district wishing to secede from the parent body and from its own board was unique in the history of New Zealand. Mr. ''Mlton thought that though attendances had been small, the Woodville branch of the union had justified its existence during the year. He was pleased to see such a good number at the annual meeting. Ways and means of enlarging the union’s appeal to farmers were discussed. The financial statement was considered satisfactory.

The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr. J. C. Bolton; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. F. W. Blatchford and J. Oxenham; delegates to provincial executive, Messrs. J. C. Bolton, F. W. Blatchford and J. Oxenham; secretary, Mr. J. Mitchell.

On the motion of Messrs. Edgar Harding and F. W. Blatchford, it was decided to ask the Dominion president of the union, Mr. W. W. Mulholland, to visit Woodville. The chairman promised his best efforts to persuade Mr. Mulholland to come.

A remit providing for all-the-year round inspection of sheep in saleyards for lice will be sent forward. This was decided on the motion of Messrs. Blatchford and E. J. Harding. It was pointed out that it was an offence to expose lice-infested sheep for sale and that the present inspection was inadequate in view of the dipping of sheep at various times by different farmers. One means of infection that was suggested was in the case of re-selling of sheep by dairy-farmers who had bought before dipping.

The chairman announced that at the next provincial executive meeting Mr. L. Daniels, of Masterton, would be present to explain his scheme for the stabilisation of the price of aged ewes. An open invitation to all interested to attend was given.