FARMERS’ UNION

Southland Times, Issue 20661, 17 April 1929, Page 7

FARMERS’ UNION

OTERAMIKA BRANCH. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Oteramika branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union was held last night when Mr 0. E. Niederer presided over an attendance of about 20 members. The annual report stated that the branch membership had been well maintained and 40 new members had been enrolled during the special organizing effort in August of last year. The total membership at the end of the year under review was 106 of whom 89 were financial. Ten of the remainder had signed orders on their dairy factory but capitation had not yet been received. Attendances at meetings during the year had been disappointing. During the year Mr Robinson, manager of the Farmers’ Union Mutual Insurance Company, had delivered addresses while valuable information concerning the operation of the Intermediate Rural Credit Act by Mr R. B. Newth, District Public Trustee and Mr McKenzie, of Wright’s Bush had been given. The financial nosition was very satisfactory and the year had closed with a credit balance of £22 8/9. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the chairman commented on th# poor attendances at branch meetings during the year considering the large membership of the branch. He urged the necessity of the farmers co-operating in spelling a solution of their problems. The report was adopted. Election of Officen. Office-bearers were elected as follows:— President, Mr O. E. Niederer; vice-president Messrs W. H. Birch and D. McKenzie; secretary, Mr A. K. McKenzie; auditor, Mr J. E. Day; committee, Messrs James Staples, B. Clearwater, J. McNaughton and J. R. Tapper; delegate to provincial executive, Mr A. K. McKenzie. Mr W. H. Birch paid a tribute to the energy of the president who was, he said, largely responsible for the extremely satisfactory position of the branch. In proposing a hearty vote of appreciation, Mr Birch said that the farmers of the district were deeply indebted to Mr Niederer’s work. In moving the re-election of Mr McKenzie as secretary, Mr Birch said that during the last year Mr McKenzie had had a good deal of work to carry out and had proved himself highly efficient. These remarks wore endorsed by the chairman and other speakers. Remits Considered. Several remits were considered, the first one framed by the president was as follows: —“That meetings be arranged quarterly of representatives from all our farmers co-operative concerns in Southland and periodically with representatives from cooperative concerns in Otago with a view to greater unity and service to their shareholders.” Mr B. Clearwater moved the adoption of the remit with the suggested amendment that a meeting of Southland concerns be held and later a combined meeting representing both provinces. If it was considered advisable that quarterly meetings be held this could be decided by the meeting of those concerned. The remit was adopted. The following suggested remit was then considered:—“That representatives from our executive wait on the directorate of Producers Ltd. to discuss ways and means of opening a Southland branch.” Mr Clearwater said he believed that the remit could be best diseased at the representative meeting recommended in the previous remit. The remit was adopted. Intermediate Rural Credits. The following remit recommended by the sub-committee set up to consider the matter came up for consideration:—"That representatives from the provincial executive wait on the Southland Rural Intermediate Credit Board with a view to simplifying and evolving more satisfactory methods by which farmers could avail themselves of any benefits to be obtained from the legislation, particularly through the co-operative dairy factories.”

The president said that the provisions of the Act had proved to be too cumbersome to be thoroughly effective and in order that the principles of the scheme might be brought into efficient operation some amendment was necessary. The remit was adopted.