FARMERS' UNION

Northern Advocate, 11 July 1925, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION

WHANGAREI SUB-PROVINCIAL DISTRICT. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Whangarei sub-provincial branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union took place at the Y.M.C.A. rooms yesterday. The president, Mr R. S. MaclCenzie, was in the chair and the following were also present: —Messrs G. S. B. Morrison, C. A. Whimp, A. C. M. Finlavson, A. S. Badmington, A. C. McCardle, J. Howie, F. Elliott, P. McKenna, W. J. Rountree, E. Babe, J. Peat, G. A. Storrar, treasurer, and F. W. Webster, secretary.

ANNUAL REPORT. The president read a report cover ing the activities of the sub-provincial branch during the year, in which he stated that the balance sheet before the meeting was most satisfactory and although showing a small loss for the year did not include any levies on members enrolled by the organiser. The Executive early in the year had decided that organising work must be continued and eventually agreed that the Auckland provincial Executive should engage Mr McCardle to organ/ ise the Whangarei sub-provincial Dis trict, the organising to be controlled from the provincial office. Results in those districts which had been completed were highly satisfactory but unfortunately the engagement had been terminated and a large portion of the district had not been canvass ed, which left a number of branches with small memberships. The organ iser's returns showed 2i53 member:; on rolled, which should place the executive 011 a sound financial footing, Members of all branches were earnestly requested to endeavour to obtain as many new members as possible.

During the year, the report contin ued, various remits were put through, the executive having as its object the bettering of conditions for the farming community. The outcome of these had been shown from time to time under various headings. Results of the executive's work in most cases only reached membeis through indirect sources, as matters of a general nature were sent forward through the head executive and to Departments concerned. However, matters of importance to the district, such as roads, bridges and railway matters, had all had attention and in most cases the executive's representations had been acceded to.

"Primary producers in general should feel satisfied with the splendid year they have had," said Mr MacKenzie, '' as all farm produce has found a ready market at more or less lenumerativo prices."

Thanks was extended to the delegates and memDers who had loyally supported the Union in its efforts to better the conditions of the farming community in the district. The president appealed for continued support as much now as ever and expressed the opinion that it Was the duty of every fanner and producer of the

district to join the Union, and so assist the movement that was doing its best to assist the district and its residents. The report was received with applause. FINANCES. The balance sheet disclosed a revenue of £(?8 3s 9d from subscriptions, pins £5S 12s 5d the credit balance on March 31, 1924, and a balance of expenditure over receipts for the year of £5 19s 2d, making the turnover £132 15s 4d.

The expenditure items were: —General expeiises £28 19s 3d, rent £1, salaries £54 13s 4d, advertising and printing £S 17s 9d, and delegates' expenses £30 2s. It was subsequently added verbally by the secretary that the credit balance was £74 13s 8d to date, with an amount owing by the Auckland provincial executive, as mentioned in the presidential report.

REVENUE WITHELD. There was a lengthy discussion upon the non-forwarding of a statement of accounts due by the provincial executive in connection with fees resulting from the efforts of the organiser. These had been paid either by orders on dairy factory returns or by cash forwarded direct to the provincial secretary.

Mr Webster stated that the membership roll was correct, but that it v.*as necessary to ascertain how members stood financially and also to get a record of how they , were paying their subscriptions. Mr McCardle explained that his report had been forwarded to the organising committee early, but there had since been considerable delay, in regard to returns of the results in increased membership. Mr Ilowie contended that, as the matter had been delayed for three mouths and the annual meeting had been postponed for that time in consequence. it was simply holding the district bade. The matter should be brought forcibly before the provincial executive. Mr Gunn attended the meeting and explained that neither the sub-pro-' vincial nor branches had a full, up-to-date schedule of membership, and it was essential that they should have such a schedule. The executive should take steps to find out who were members and who were not. It was a matter that should be dealt with as early as possible, as it was vital to the executive from the point of view of both membership and finance. The information he had sought from

branch secretaries, supplemented V the return from Auckland, would result in the schedule held by the subprovincial being up-to-date. The balance sheet showed a true statement nf receipts and expenditure, but it did not disclose the actual position and could not do so until receipt of the data required from Auckland. Subsequently Mr Elliott suggested that the auditor be sent to Auckland to collect the money due, and he moved in that direction. Mr McKenna said he thought the secretary should go, and the motion was altered accordingly. He thought that if they could get no satisfaction they should secede from the provinial executive. The president said that after the last meeting in Auckland the faets and figures were ready and it was thought that all that remained to be done was to forward the cheque. Mr. Peat said he expected that th-? matter would be fixed up at the next provincial executive meeting, and Mr. McCardle explained the probable reasons why the delay had occurred. He also thought that the president wouid be able to effect the desired settlement, which was really a matter concerning the organising committee.

It was Mr. Storrar's opinion that i the payment would be made in the j ordinary course, after the organising j committee's report had beea adopted, j To send officials down specially savoured of offensiveness and he favoured adoption of the union spirit in the ' matter. j The president said he considered that | the motion should stand, with a proviso j that the secretary should not go to ! Auckland until after the next meeting i of the provincial executive, when th? delegate would have an opportunity of effecting a settlement. After a good deal more discussion a substituted motion on the lines of the president's views was carried. SUPPORT OF A REMIT. Mr. Whimp referred to the fate of a remit from Ruatangata branch. It had been passed by the sub-provincial Executive, but had failed to gain the support of one of the executive's delegates at the Auckland conference, and

he asked whether it was not customary under such circumstances for the executive delegates to support a remit sent on in that way. Messrs. Morrison and Peat explained that the remit in question had not met with approval of all members of the executive, but in deference to the branch it had been forwarded on, without endorsement, to the conference to | enable it to be discussed. I The president read a resolution of ( a previous meeting of the executive I which gave the delegates a free hand in regard to all but certain specified remits, which did not include the rs mit under discussion. I Mr. Finlayson said that the Run- j tangata branch had expected that it would have the support of the execu fcive's delegates. Mr. Morrison submitted that the remit was too visionary. It had been sent 011 for consideration in Auckland, but without any request that it should ho forwarded on to the Dominion con- j ferenc-e.

CLEANING UP THE REGISTERS. Mr. G. A. Storrar urged that all branch secretaries should combine in cleaning up the registers of their branches, to enable the sub-provincial secretary to keep a complete record of membership and state of finances, and his suggestion mot with general approval. DELEGATES' EXPENSES. As the funds of the executive were in a better state it was decided by resolution that delegates' expenses to meetings last year be paid, provided funds were available. The Nazol Habit Is a pleasant one and worth having, because it protects the membranes of the mouth, throat and nose with Nazol against the infectious germs of Colds, Catarrh and Iniiuenza. 8