NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION.

Northland Age, Volume 17, Issue 33, 13 May 1920, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION.

KAITAIA BRANCH. The annual meeting of the above took place on Friday, 16th April, when the President, Mr. F. Holder, presented his annual report as follows : “It gives me pleasure to submit to you the first annual report of this Branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The first meeting Jof the Branch was held on 13th April, 1919, and, in all, your Executive has held seven meetings during the period, when many important matters have been dealt with, including the following :

Meat and other Trusts.—This matter is now in the hands of the Dominion Executive to deal with.

Shipping Freights to Northern ports.— A suggestion has been put forward that a Co-operative Company be formed—capital to be subscribed throughout North Auckland—with the idea of purchasing and running our own steamers. The Provincial Executive has been asked to urge the Government to expedite the opening up of Crown lands, more particularly those areas already surveyed and roaded. As you know, gentlemen, there are large areas of virgin country north of Auckland, awaiting settlement. Being non-productive and non-rate producing in the meantime, these lands are a bar to progress. I feel sure you will agree with me that the keynote to advancement in the North is closer settlement, and the sooner we can get these areas opened up, the .better it will be for the Dominion as a whole, and our district in particular.

Through our Sub-Provincial Executive we have urged the Government to institute a Dominion line of mercantile steamers. This is a most important matter, and one which we think the Government will give its consideration. The Government has also been approached to simplify the present Native Land Laws, so that County Councils may be enabled to collect rates.

Further, a veterinary surgeon is urgently required in the Northern districts, and the Government has been asked to station one in the Bay of Islands.

Your Executive has also carefully considered the cattle tick. regulations, and it has been unanimously agreed to proceed with the erection of dips immediately. This matter will be further considered tonight, when suggestions can be brought forward.

The proposed Northland Highway has also been considered by your Executive, and approved of, the protest against the eastern deviation being supported. The opening up of the Awanui River for Navigation.—This, of course, is a matter of considerable local interest, and should prove a boon to settlers generally. The proposed telephonic communication between Herekino and Broadwood was supported by your Executive, and we understand that this work is likely to be put in hand shortly. The Government has also been requested to start an experimental farm between Waimate and Mangonui. In the meantime I understand that an area between Rangiahua and Mangamuka has been set aside for this purpose. However, your Executive considers that the district has a just claim when it asks the Government to experiment with the vast area of what, at present, is idle country. The Government is also strongly urged to take in hand immediately the sand drift menace to the North of Auckland. These and many other important matters have been carefully considered, and in conclusion I can only ask you to support the Union loyally by attending tiie meetings and inducing all farmers to join our ranks. The membership of this branch now numbers 58, and I predict a very busy year ahead. Further, I would ask members to sign letters authorising the Bank to pay their annual subscriptions to the Union. These letters I haye at hand for distribution, and already twenty members have signed them. By adopting this course the organising secretary will be saved a great deal of work, and he will thus be enabled to give his time to more

important matters. In conclusion I must also thank the Executive for the able assistance they have afforded me during the past term.”

Mr. F. Holder was re-elected President; Messrs C. S. Puckey and A. W. Masters, Vice-Presidents; Mr. L. li. Bell, Secretary ; and the following an Executive Committee: Messrs S. Masters, T. Gallagher, F. H. S. Matthews, R. B. Morpeth W. R. Grigg, D. H. Lewis, and E. C. Matthews.

After Colonel Bell, member of the Auckland Provincial Executive, had explained the present position of the Union throughout the Dominion, which position was not satisfactory; and also reported on the results of the recent visit of Mr. L. M. Lane and himself to Wellington, and dealt particularly with the question of the freehold of the National Endowment lands, Native Rating, the Awanui River navigation scheme, and the completion of the Main Trunk railway to Awanui with a branch to Whangaroa on the lines reported in a former issue, Mr. Holder said that it must be. gratifying to all to hear the good results attained by the deputation more particularly with regard to the immediate prosecution of the Main Trunk railway, and the introduction of the contract system into our public works.

On the suggestion of the President a Committee consisting of the Executive with power to act was set up to deal with the immediate construction of cattle dips at Kaitaia and other centres. On this question the sub-provincial organiser, Mr. McKenzie, gave valuable information and advice and promised to forward plans. Mr. E. C. Matthews brought up the question of urging the Government to allow of the production of wood alcohol for power purposes. Colonel Bell [pointed out that in this district they had a potential electrical power and lighting supply in the peat swamps, and steps had already been taken to develop this by private enterprise. The production of wood alcohol was very expensive.

Other minor matters were discussed and the meeting terminated.