FARMERS’ UNION

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4559, 13 April 1942, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION

WAIKATO SUB-PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE The annual conference of the Waikato Sub-Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held at Hamilton on Friday last, when there was a large attendance of delegates. The retiring President (Mr Hallyburton Johnstone, of Whatawhata) delivered his annual address, a resume of which is published in another column. MILITARY SERVICE Mr J. H. Furniss (Huntly) moved that representations be made to the Government to ' enable representatives of the Farmers’ Union to appear before Manpower Committees to state the case for retaining men on certain farms to maintain production. In the discussion it was claimed that there were many farmers prepared to make great sacrifices who were not themselves appealing. Their departure from the farms would appreciably lessen production. If it were desired to maintain primary production there should be closer investigation of all eases heard by appeal boards. The resolution was referred to the Executive. CONSERVING AMMUNITION A resolution requesting the Government to declare a close season for game-shooting, to prohibit all gunshooting contests, and to impress all sporting guns for the use of the Home Guard, was passed unanimously. The view was expressed that all ammunition should be conserved for war purposes. INDIFFERENT MEMBERS Criticism was levelled at members of some branches for their failure to attend meetings, the case of one branch with a roll of 100 having only five present at the annual meeting being cited as typical of very many branches. MANPOWER OR PRODUCTION ? Mr G. R. Lawry (Orakau) expressed the opinion that the Government should be asked to state definitely whether it desired production or manpower. In the resultant discussion it was considered that the farmers who were now being called up for military service would be of greater advantage to the country if they remained on their farms. It was suggested that as the farmers themselves were disinclined. to appeal against service, there should be a committee set up for the purpose of bringing their eases before the manpower committees. Mr Furniss moved that the Auckland Provincial Executive be requested to communicate with the Director of National Service, inquiring what steps were available regarding appeals for men essential for maintaining production. The motion was carried. BARBED WIRE FOR MILITARY The President urged all farmers to respond readily to the call to supply particulars of stocks of barbed wire held on the farms, these being urgently required by the military. He advised farmers to communicate immediately with their local Home Guard O.C. or any member of the Executive, when confidential details would be given. In the discussion which followed, there was a sharp division of opinion as to the methods to be adopted, and it was stated that many property owners would not willingly co-operate. One member said new barbed wire could be purchased in Hamilton, and he asked why that wire was not being impressed. The President replied that the call entailed a patriotic gesture, compliance with which would enable a complete survey to be made. TE AWAMUTU REMITS The following remits, sent forward by the Te Awamutu branch, were duly endorsed:— (1) “That the conference communicate with the Manpower Committee regarding the necessity of having saddlers and blacksmiths returned to their industries, which are now seriously depleted.” (2) “That the Government be requested to increase the price payable for cull bulls.” (3) “That the conference again urge the abolition of rates on agricultural lands, especially hospital rating.” OFFICERS RE-ELECTED The following officers were elected for the year 1942-43:-President: Mr H. Johnstone (Whatawhata), re-elected. Vice-Presidents: Messrs A. S. Wyllie (Te Awamutu) and W. N. Perry (Cambridge), re-elected. Treasurer: Mr W. L. Ranstead (Matangi), re-elected. Auditor: Mr W. B. Cumming (Taupiri), re-elected. Delegates to Auckland Provincial Conference: Messrs J. R. Faville, A. W. Moore, E. H. Peacocke, E. H. Wayne, C. J. Flay, A. Bryant, G. R. Lawry, C. North, G. Donaldson, J. Rae, W. Somerville, F. L. Onion, W. N. Perry, G. Walsh, D. S. Riddell. R. H. Feisst, R. Lennant, G. W. Walker, D. B. Livingstone. Messrs G. P. Kenah, A. J. Archer, E. Nickle, and V. Knight agreed to act as reserve delegates,