FARMERS’ UNION

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4042, 2 May 1938, Page 8

FARMERS’ UNION

OTOROHANGA BRANCH. ' A SERIES OF RESOLUTIONS. (Our Resident Representative.) There was a moderate attendance at the usual monthly meeting of the Otorohanga branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, presided over by Mr L. Palmer. Motions of condolence with the relatives and friends of the late Mr A. T. Bryant (president of the Te Awamutu branch for some years), and Mr James Duncan, were carried in silence ECZEMA IN SHEEP. The problem of the eczema epidemic in sheep and the strange malady among the milking herds were subjects of considerable importance and grave concern to those present. Many farmers expressed widely differing experiences on sheep and dairying farms since the inception of the malady some two months ago. It was decided to wire the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. Lee Martin) asking that any helpful information as to curing the disease should be broadcasted for the benefit of all farmers. GENERAL MATTERS. It was decided to render assistance to the local branch of the Women’s Division by forming a committee to assist at the social to be held in Otorohanga in June. On the motion of Messrs H. A. Lurman (Rangiatea) and W. C. Carlin (Honikiwi) the meeting suggested that . farmers should seriously consider refusing to purchase any highly-protected local manufactures, but should choose the British article wherever possible. NATIONAL HEALTH SCHEME. On the motion of Messrs H. K. Harty (Honikiwi) and H. A. Lurman it was decided not to support any National Health scheme until rural lands were relieved from hospital rates. It was decided to write the Minister of Railways urging immediate attention to perfect the safety of the railway crossing north and south of Otorohanga, where a number of fatalities have occurred in the past. TARIFF ALTERATIONS. The following resolution was moved by the; secretary (Mr C. L. Browne) and seconded by Mr K. McDonald, and carried unanimously:— “That a? the importation of goods from overseas constitutes payment for the farmers work—that is to say exports—this meeting strongly protests against the rising level of import duties which must have the effect of restricting the market for our produce as well as raising the level of the costs of the produce.”