FARMERS’ UNION AFFAIRS

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 10

FARMERS’ UNION AFFAIRS

Annual Branch Meeting MOKE MEMBERS REQUIRED Mr. H. J. McLeavey preaided at the annual meeting of the Manawatu provincial district branch of the .New Zealand Farmers’ Union. Present were Messrs. H. J. McLeavey (chairman), E. O. Bond, A. G. Dear, J. C. Gibbons, Burn, G. J. Wilde, E. W. Harrison, T. J. Spelman, L. F. Ballineer, C. Webb, J. T. Moar, G. G. Mitchell, A. N. Morcom, R. C. Craig, L. Wilton, N. Campbell, C. P. Jensen, H. Bowling, J. T. Kent, Hodgson, F. A. Page, 8. C. Saint, I* L Howell, B F. Lynch, H. Sorenson. An apology was read from Mr. J. D. Aitchisoa. Annna.l Report “I think we can all look back on the past year with some degree of satisfaction, M said Mr. McLeavey in presenting the annual report. “A considerable amount of business has been dealt with, and the remits from our branches have been given effect to as fat as possible. I suppose I am correct in saying that with the greater centralisation of the control of the farming industry that there has been a much greater call on our watchfulness, and that we have had to deal with problems and matters unknown in the past. It is a fact that when the farmer* had control of their produce and made mistakes they took any blame or setbacks quite cheerfully, but now that this control is centred in other hands they are apt to expect their problem to be attended to and to be solved with a minimum delay. Rightly or wrongly, this has meant that the union has been < ailed upon to exerciso the greatest vigilance on behalf of its members. ** The membership of this province has decreased during the year, due largely to members giving up farming *r leaving the district. lam convinced, 'however, we must make greater efforts to increase our membership, and this is a matter in which every present member can help. Not only do we need the finance which increased members give, but also the union requires greater strength to give authority and weight to its decisions. Some of our branches have done splendid work in this direction, but there are still some hundreds of fanners in our district who do not support the union. "The annual statement of accounts is presented to you for adoption and from these you will see that our finances remain in a healthy condition and that we show an improved position compared with the previous year. I would like to repeat a statement made last year and that is that we should use every effort to consolidate our financial position until we have a substantial reserve in hand.

"It is pleasing to see that in the majority of cases the work of the branches is being enthusiastically carried on and our thanks are duo to those officials of the branches who are so loyally shouldering this work. In order to promote interest in the branches a meeting of secretaries will be held shortly and it Is hoped that some useful suggestions will come forward as a result of this meeting. The efforts of the Linton, Shannon, Levin and Ohau branches in connection with the organising of cull cow drives has proved worthwhile, and is to be commended to all branches. As a result of these drives a number of new members have been enrolled by these branches. "Although not substantially a sheep farming province, I consider it fitting to comment on the position of this industry to the extent of suggesting that we should assist in every possible way to bring about a more healthy state of affairs for the sheep farmer. Personally, I consider that if the guaranteed price principle is not acceptable to this industry, then in the interests of all parties a representative commission should be appointed by the Government to try to discover a means of curing the ills of one of our main industries, rectifying a mutter of national importance. "I feel it would not be right for me { to let the opportuuity pass without expressing our sincere appreciation of the ( work done by our group delegate, Mr. Lloyd Hammond. He has resigned from | the presidency of the Wellington Provincial District, and this will probabaly I mean be will no longer assist in the group activities, and I can only say our' work will be very much the poorer for his absence. Our thanks are also due to all those who have helped us during the year. In particular, I will mention the officers of the Department of Agriculture and the Wellington District Pig Council. ’ * Election of Officers The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr. H. J. McLeavey (reelected); vice-presidents, Messrs. E. O. Bond and B. F. Lynch; treasurer, Mr. W. G. Gimblett; auditor, Mr. E. B. Jennings; executive, Messrs. E. O. Bond and N. Campbell (Awahuri), L. F. Ballinger (Linton), J. D. Aitchison (Opiki), H. Sorenson and C. Webb (Levin), H. Bowling (Manakau), S. C. baint (Ohau), B. F. Lynch (Paraparaumu), J. C. Gibbons and L. Burn (Rongotea), G. G. Mitchell (Shannon), V. J. Cottle (Otaki), J. T. Kent (Waikanae), B. Gower (Foxton), J. T. Moar and T. J. Spelman (Pohangina), C. M. Kcbbell (Aokautere), J. E. Hodgson (Wakarongo), W. H. Gimblett (Rangiotu) and L. Wilton (Tokomaru); delegates to Dominion conference, Messrs. Bond and McLeavey; delegate to Boys and Girls' Agricultural Clubs, Mr. L. F. Ballinger; delegate to Young Farmers' Clubs, Mr. F. C. Gibbons; delegate to Wellington District Pig Council, Mr. L. Wiltou. A motion expressing the branch's thanks to Mr. Lloyd Hammond for his services as group delegate was passed and the hope expressed that these would be available in the future. A resolution was passed placing ou record the services rendered by Messrs. C. P. Jensen, A. G. Dear and A. N. Morcom, who wero retiring from the executive of the union. DISCUSSION OF REMITS MONTHLY MEETING HELD The discussion of remits was the prin-

cipal business before the monthly meeting which followed the annual meeting. Mr. H. J. McLeavey presided. Remits were dealt with as follow: —

Tokomaru.—‘ ‘ That tho union take what action it deems necessary to easure that the original formula is adhered to, owing to tho inferior quality of the meat and grain meals at present being supplied at a prohibitive price." —Withdrawn.

Oliau.—"That tho sale of horned dairy cattle be prohibited and that the dehorning of all dairy calves bo made compulsory. 1 ' — Carried. Otaki-To Horo.—"That Bteps bo takeu in an endeavour to have the Motor Vehicles Act amended to provide for the abolition of heavy traffic fees as applied to farmers' lorries." —Carried. "That representations be made to have the emergency tax of 4sd a gallon ou petrol reiunded when used for vehicles not subject to licence and for farm machinery."—Held over. Levin. —"That farm machinery trailed behind a tractor or other motorvehicle owned by a bona-fide farmer, bo exempt from registration fees."— Furtner inquiries to be made. "That farmers' lorries, used for conveying farmers’ own goods, including livestock, be exempt from heavy traffic fees.''—Carried.

Advice whs received from the general manager of Railways that it was not the practice of train crews to clean lire boxes between stations.

A member said that whatever the position might be, there had been no fires in the district along the railway lines this year and it was decided to write to tho Department expressing satisfaction at tho improvement.

A suggestion that tho Railways Department mint provide portable gauges or erect permanent ones at stations where farmers were loading u quantity of hay led to a request being made on those lines to tho Department, ft was explained that if tho truck would not pass under the gauge in Palmerston North farmers had to pay about 15s to have the truck reloaded or go into the city and do the work themselves. One delegate thought gauges were standard equipment at country stations.