WYNDHAM

Southland Times, Issue 23828, 27 May 1939, Page 19

WYNDHAM

FARMERS’ UNION MARKETING OF OATS CROPS DISCUSSED The annual meeting of the Wyndham branch of the Farmers’ Union was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall. The president, Mr E. Rabbidge, presided over an attendance of 13 members. The annual report stated that the year had been a fairly successful one. Six meetings had been held, some of which had been well attended. The first had been held in conjunction with the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union for the purpose of forming a branch of the Young Farmers’ Club, and he was pleased to say the club was now established and was looked on as one of the strongest in Southland. One of the members, Mr J. Winter, had gained a scholarship to Lincoln College and it was pleasing to know that he was doing well in his studies. Mr W. R. Harris had given an illustrated talk on agricultural matters which had proved very interesting, and he thought they could do with more of these lectures. A visit from Mr A. P. O’Shea, the Dominion secretary, had drawn a crowded meeting, at which Mr A. R. Johnston, the provincial president, and Mr Herron had also given addresses. The Otago farmers had been entertained at dinner during their recent tour and a most enjoyable time, had been spent with the tourists. He wished to extend their best wishes to their sister organization, the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, which was doing such good work in their midst. It was pleasing to know the membership had increased considerably, and he felt that a further increase would be made during the incoming year. He thanked the committee for the help during the Sear, the secretary (Mr D. Shaw) for le manner in which he carried out his duties and the Press for the manner in which the business was published. It was hard to say what the prospects for the future would be although there was talk of a guaranteed price for meat and wool. Financially they were in a good position, having a credit of £3B 6/1. He moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr T. Dobbie seconded the motion, remarking that it was pleasing to have had such a good year. The increased membership was particularly gratifying- , . The election of office-bearers resulted: President, Mr E. Rabbidge; secretary, Mr D. Shaw; committee, Messrs P. Campbell, J. C. Ronald, T. G. Dobbie, T. Hunter, J. Robertson, J. Simpson and G. F. Mcßae; delegate to annual conference, Mr E. Rabbidge. The Southland executive advised that the position of the oats market was being investigated with a view to placing it on a secure basis and a conference of growers would be held in Invercargill on May 26. > In reply to a question, the chairman said that the grower wanted 12/6 a bag to make the growing of oats pay. Mr Ronald said that more than that was wanted. He could not understand why oats were so persistently grown when they were unprofitable. Mr Dobbie said that better markets could be developed. The more lines a farmer had the better it would be for him. A market could be developed in the North Island, where a variety of meals were being used for feed. In the North Island dairy cattle outnumbered those in the South Island by 10 to one and 600,000 pigs were exported, against 20,000 in the South Island. These animals had to be fed.

Mr P. Campbell said the reduction in horses was telling on the consumption of oats. Messrs Dobbie and D. Caldwell were appointed to attend the meeting. The Dominion executive advised that in cases of hardship the old rate _ for back-country telephone subscribers would be favourably considered by the Post and Telegraph Department. Replies were read from the Ocean Beach Freezing Company and the Southland Frozen Meat Company to the suggestion that they should provide facilities to pool wool and pelts on behalf of farmers. The replies stated that it had been the practice to create pools, but the existing practice gave the best return. If a pool were created farmers would have to take what the pool brought and would not be able to sell individually. Mr Campbell said the matter resolved itself into the difference between the value of the Romney and Southdown cross peft. Ii pooled the farmer with Romney Marsh would lose about 1/- a pelt. Mr Hunter asked on what basis the wool from shorn lambs was based. He had 1/8 deducted from his first two drafts of shorn lambs, yet from his later drafts, when the lambs had grown more wool, 2/- a head had been deducted.

Mr Campbell said he did not know the reason but there would be some explanation. Mr Shaw was congratulated on his work as secretary. The chairman referred to the time wasted at the provincial executive meetings which, he said, was like a debating society. There was much time wasted on reports and he favoured more direct action in dealing with a remit. Mr Dobbie said he agreed with the chairman. Branch remits were often held over for three months.

Mr Campbell said the position was worse now than years ago. It was decided that a remit urging more direct action for remits be forwarded to the provincial conference. Tire secretary reported that the membership stood at 79. Mr J. Simpson referred to the practice of using once-used barley sacks for superphosphate. A fair percentage of barley was appearing in the oat crops because of the bags not being thoroughly cleaned. Several members reported similar experiences. They said that they were unable to trace where the barley came from. It was decided to write to the company concerned. RIFL E CLUB’S WEEKLY SHOOT There was a good attendance at the Wyndham Rifle Club’s weekly shoot. Forty-four members competed. The scores were the best registered this season, with W. Smith returning the first possible. His target was an exceptionally good one, every shot being an inner bull. The majority of the club’s members are first-year marksmen and most of them are showing promise. The A grade button was won by W. Smith, R. Evans winning the handicap button. J. T. Mitchell and J. Wylie both scored possibles in the sweep, the former proving the winner. Scores were:—W Smith, 80.2-2-80.8; G. Matheson, 77.4-5-79.7; J. T. Mitchell, 77.3-5-79.6; F. C. Milne, 76.5-6-79.8; W. Frame, 76.5-4-79.6; G Nesbit, 76.4; C. Hall, 76.2-4-79.3; R. Evans, 75.5-9-79.9; V. Foxon, 74.1-6-79.2; K. McLennan, 74.2-5-79.2; E. Mitchell, 74.1-6-79.2; H. Heath, 74-0-74; J. Hunter, 73.1-6-79.1;

W. J. Milne, 73.1-7-79.2; W. Milne, 72.1- J. Henderson, 72.3-3-75.3; W. Mcßride, 72-8-79.1; A. Clark, 72.1-5-77.1; D. Parr, 72.2-7-79.2; J. Crosbie, 72.1- A. Smith, 71.2-3-74.2; J. Smith, 71.2-8-79.2; F. Williams, 71.3-9-79.4; J. Wylie, 70-10-79.1; G. Goodheart, 70.1- F. Ashbrook, 70.1-4-74.1; J. Irvine, 70.3-5-75.3; L. Symons, 70.1- J. Marshall, 69.1-11-79.2; E. Christianson, 67-10-77; A. Morris, 67-1-11-78.1; Miss Baird, 66-16-79.3; J. Heath, 65-12-77; D. Henderson, 63-7-70; J. G. Mitchell, 61-11-72; N. Ashbrook, 61-10-71; G. Stewart, 61-6-67; C. Irwin, 60-12-72; A. Austin, 59.1-17-76.1; R. Clark, 59-13-72; G King, 65.2-0-65.2; J. Caldwell, 60-13-73; C. Birss, 40-12-52. YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUB The Wyndham branch of the Young Farmers’ Club held an illustrated lecture in the Murihiku Hall. The evening was devoted to a series of talking films dealing with subjects of interest to farmers. The machine, which is under the control of the Department of Agriculture, was operated by Mr Saxby, a departmental officer from Dunedin. The films discussed mainly agricultural topics in America, but were interesting, as they showed whar the Agricultural Department in the United States is doing in herd testing, irrigation and other farming matters. It is hoped to have a series of New Zealand films along similar lines. Mr Robinson presided. At the conclusion of the evening Mr John McLaren thanked Mr Saxby and Mr F. J. Dunbar, on behalf of the visitors, thanked the young farmers for the invitation to be present at such an interesting evening. He said the Young Farmers’ Club was most enterprising in its activities, and there were no branches more so than the Wyndham branch. Mr Saxby replied.