FARMERS’ UNION

Southland Times, Issue 22010, 9 May 1933, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION

APARIMA BRANCH. (From Our Correspondent.) The annual meeting of the Aparima branch of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Otautau Town Hall on Saturday evening, when there was a good attendance. Mr J. D. Clouston, president, occupied the chair, and Mr P Arnott, president of the Provincial Executive, was also present. The annual report stated:— The number of financial members has increased from 41 last year to 92 this year, and four of the previous year’s subscriptions were also collected. The receipts for the year amounted to £l4B 18/1, and the total expenses were £145 1/3, leaving a net profit of £3 15/4 for the year. The union had also a credit balance of £34 12/7 in the bank. Eight business meetings had been held, which were well attended, there being an average of 35 members present. Three special meetings had also been held, and an average of over 80 was in attendance. In reviewing the operations for the past year, the chairman said it had been a year of difficulty from an economic point of view for farmers generally, owing to the fact that they were not getting payable prices for their primary products. Twelve months ago they thought better prices would be ruling at this time, but instead of advancing values had declined, and it was doubtful now if they were at the bottom or not. There was a talk of restriction in quotas, but they were prepared to take a small price, and were not favourable to this course being adopted. The only solution to the difficulty was marketing by an organized system through the various boards, but whether they would, get enough support to organize sufficiently was a matter of doubt. Some time ago the Dairy Board had assumed control, but through lack of support. it had been abandoned. Free marketing was the order of the day, and it was not very satisfactory. The speaker said they must look for fresh markets, and must organize a marketing scheme amongst themselves. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Mr J. D. Clouston; vice-presi-dents, Messrs W. Smellie and F. E. Anderson; auditor, Mr Muirhead.; committee, the president, vice-presidents, and secretary; delegates., to. the Provincial Conference, the president and secretary; delegate to executive meetings, the president, with power to appoint a substitute if he could not attend; vigilance committee, the president, secretary and Mr W. D. McCully. The appointment of a secretary and treasurer was held over until next meeting of the branch. It was resolved to forward the , following remit to the conference: “That the Woolbrokers’ Association be approached with a view to securing further reductions in the handling charges for wool.” , Mr Arnott also spoke. He said he also claimed that the Farmers’ Union had been instrumental in bringing about the higher rate of exchange, and he asked them to suspend judgment on this move as it was too early to judge the results. The union had also agitated for the lowering of interest, and in this they had been successful of late, and hoped to be more successful in this direction in the future. Partial derating had been consistently supported by the Southland Executive, but he had expressed the opinion that total derating must come. They had joined with the County Council with regard to obtaining the subsidy on rates, but had not been successful owing to the fact that the Government had no money. Through the efforts of the union the Mortgagors Relief Committee had been set up, and from reports received this was working very satisfactorily.