WARD MEETINGS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 14 August 1944, Page 2

WARD MEETINGS

TOBACCO GROWERS' FEDERATION The annual meetings of the wards of N.Z. Tobacco Growers’ Federation were completed recently. At Paugatotara, Mr V R. Davy presided over an attendance of 24 growers of Ward 11. The committee elected, comprised Messrs V. R. Davy. R. W. S. Stevens. W. C. Wills. J. Martin and S. I. Lwellin. Delegates appointed to the executive were Messrs Davy and Stevens. Nominees for the ballot for members of the Tobacco Board were Messrs W. C. Wills and J. Martin.

There was some discussion on the question of the actions of delegates, one body of opinion believing that they were bound to vote according to the wishes of the ward, the other that they should vote according to all the circumstances revealed at the executive meeting. No decision was made.

It was resolved that the ward meet quarterly, such meetings to be of a social as well as of a business nature. The question of insurance companies demanding the installation of £in netting over flue pipes was referred to the executive for action, as supplies of that size are unprocurable." Attention was drawn by Mr J. Martin to a new column in the Tobacco Board’s statistics purporting to show the actual acreage planted. This was described as a dangerous departure, as there was no check made on acres and it was possible for entirely wrong deductions to be drawn from the figures. The Federation chairman. Mr F. A. Hamilton said he would bring the subject before the next board meeting. Mr Hamilton addressed the meeting on hop compensation, accommodation for workers, soldier labour and price of leaf as at previous meetings. A resolution was passed approving the inauguration of a crop compensation scheme by the Tobacco Board. The Federation secretary. Mr N. J. Lewis, spoke to growers on fuel supj plies, annual holiday legislation, federa. I tion of primary producers, and other subjects. DOVEDALE MEETING The meeting of Ward 111 at Dovedale I was presided over by Mr J. F. Balck who welcomed the federation chairman and secretary, and Mr R. Thompson, of j the Tobacco Research Station. The Ward Committee elected. comprised Messrs S. Win. C. E. Jordan. R. F. S. Bennetts, M. H. Thorn and D. Barker. Delegates appointed to the federation were Messrs S. Win and C. E. Jordan. Nominees for the ballot for board members were Messrs N. Rowling and M. H. Thorn.* ' r The federation chairman and secretary spoke along the same lines as at previous meetings and Mr Thompson showed slides depicting diseases of tobacco in America and gave an interesting account of the programme of work at the Research Station. He was heartily thanked for his informative lecture. WAKEFIELD Mr G. M. Eden presided over an attendance of 15 members of Ward IV at Wakefield, which was also attended by Messrs Hamilton and Lewis, and Mr R. Thompson. Committeemen elected were Messrs A. P. Baigent. G. Clemence jnr., A. Bint S. E. O'Htxra and M. Hawkes. Delegates to the executive were Messrs Baigent and O’Hara. Nominees for the ballot for board members were Messrs N. Rowling and M. H. Thorn.

Quarterly meetings of wards were discussed and a recommendation to the executive passed that such meetings be arranged. A resolution was also passed approving the scheme for crop loss compensation. Resolutions of thanks were accorded to Messrs Hamilton. Lewis and Thompson for their attendance and talks to the meeting.