WAVERLEY FARMERS’ UNION.

Patea Mail, Volume XLIII, 14 July 1919, Page 3

WAVERLEY FARMERS’ UNION.

A mooting of the Waverloy branch of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Town Board’s meeting room on Friday afternoon, Mr. Gregor McGregor presiding. Messrs A. Howie, C. D. Dickie, W. J. Johnston, S. Aiken, F. Johnson, H. Middleton, E. Parsons and G. Aiken wore also present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The Chairman said that several sellers of the Upper Waitotara district had asked him to endeavour to get the telephone exchange at Waitotara opened for an hour each evening between 7 and S o’clock. Ho pointed out that before the war the exchange was opened for an hour in the evening, but at the present time it closed at live o’clock. One way out of the difficulty, he sugsested, would be to connect up with the Waverloy office. This would only rccjuiro about one mile of wire from the State Farm to Ngutuwera. He thought it was a matter for the Farmers’ Union, as it affected the settlers xeiv much. He would move that a petition bo taken round asking that the Waitotara telephone exchange be opened each evening between 7 and 8 o’clock. Mr. Parsons to take charge of the Waitotara petition, Mr. Johnston and Mr. Matthews the Upper Waitotara. Seconded by Mr. G. Aiken and carried. A letter was received from the Supervisor of the Auckland Education Board stating that the name of the Wavcrlcy Fanners’ Union had been placed on the list for a visit to the Ruaknra Government Farm during the week from 2.lst to 26th of July. There was accommodation at the farm in a large loft which would hold 25 persons. Chaff and sacks could bo used for mattresses. It would be necessary to bring blankets. It was hoped that some new buildings would be available by that date, giving a single room to each of 30 persons, and meals could be obtained at the farm at a cost of 2s each. After discussion Mr. Dickie moved that the Secretary write and inform them that owing to the railway difficulties they would have to abandon the visit. Seconded by Mr. Parsons and carried. 'The Treasurer, Mr. Howie, reported the balance was credit £55 4s Id. Ho would move that Mr. Adlam, in conjunction with the Treasurer, operate on the Union account at the Bank of Australasia. ° Seconded by Mr. F. Johnston and carried. The Chairman reported that he and Mr. Howie had attended the conference at Palmerston North, the meeting was well attended ; among the speakers there were three Members of Parliament, Messrs Nash, Field and Newman, all of whom strongly urged the farmers throughout the Dominion to unite and organise to combat the Bolshevik and I.W.W. principles. Each of the speakers upheld sane and moderate Labour. They maintained that the one thing needful was for the farmers to organise and not lose their representatives in Parliament. The whole future of the country depended upon reproduction, and nine-tenths of the products came of the land, and yet the farmers did not control their own interests. Mr. Howie said Mr. Nash had advocated re-organising the rules of the Union so that business men could join, as they were all against the Bolshevik principles. The Chairman stated there would be another meeting in Wanganui shortly and some further action may be taken after that. The matter then dropped. The Chairman said he had another matter to bring before the meeting. They all knew that the Minister, the Hon. W. D. S. McDonald, had decided to send a man abroad to get an insight into scientific farming generally and so improve the standard of agriculture. He considered the man most fitted for the position was Mr. T. W. Lonsdale, the manager of the Moumahaki Farm. He pointed out how important it was for them to improve their method of farming and get every point available for increased production, and he considered Mr. Lonsdale a thorough, practical farmer, and one who could fill the position with credit. He considered Mr. Lonsdale had not had a fair chance at the farm ; he had lost almost al! his best men, who had gone to the war, and another thing, he did not got the credit due to him for many improvements. When he had worked them up to a certain stage they were taken away to another farm.. There were many instances he could mention of the good work done by the Farm manager. Ho would move “That this meeting recommend to the Minister, the Hon. W. D. S. McDonald, that Mr. T. W. Lonsdale be the man selected to send abroal to get an insight into scientific agriculture and improve the standard of fanning generally, as they considered Jic was the best fitted and most suitable man to fill the position on account of his- past valuable services at Moumafyaki State Farm and success in all agricultural matters.’’ Mr. Howie, in seconding the resolution, said the Board of Agriculture had the matter under control, and would no doubt pick out the bestTnarl, and there was no doubt Mr. Lonsdale, was a suitable man. Mr. Hawkins-stated at the meeting at Moumahaki the Moumahaki Farm was the best in the Dominion. Mr. Middleton said be would support the resolution as Mr. Lonsdale was a thoroughly practical farmer and a very suitable .man for the position. Mr- Dickie said he was not going to support the motion ; he had visited the farm’many times for years and he, was not much taken with the improvements there. There was no doubt if the Board of Agriculture, were worth their salt they would select the best man, and they had all the facts at hand as to the best man to send abroad. Mr. Parsons said that if Mr. Lons-

dale was sent Homo another man would take his place and perhaps they would lose Mr. Lonsdale from the district. Ho would move as an amendment that the Union obtain further particulars as to what were the duties of the person to be scut Home and what was expected of him. Mr. Dickie seconded the amendment. On being put to the mooting the amendment was declared lost and the resolution was put and carried. Mr. Riddell said lie hoped the man selected would give special attention to seeds. He thought the farmers throughout the Dominion should club together and engage a man to travel the world with a view to obtaining the best grass seeds to suit the various soils, as there was no doubt, the farmers here were not getting the best results. The Chairman pointed out that this was a subject for a remit tor the next conference. The matter then dropped. Mr. Middleton said that the Farmers’ Union should bo represented at the Peace celebrations. He would move a resolution to that effect. Mr. G. Aiken seconded the resolution, which was carried. Accounts amounting to £2 7s del wore read and passed for payment. This concluded the business and the Chairman declared the meeting closed.