FARMERS’ UNION

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5595, 22 March 1943, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION

TE AWAMUTU BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING HELD There was a representative attendance at the annual meeting of the Te Awamutu branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, held on Friday night. In extending a welcome to members, the president, Mr A. S. Wyllie, said that although some had been prevented from attending monthly meetings owing to transport difficulties, it would be seen by the report that the Executive had been busy throughout the past year. Mr Wyllie’s report read:—

“During the past year the war has again been the predominant factor affecting the activities of your branch. Two years ago Primary Production Committees were set up throughout the country, the objective being an additional 15,000 tons of cheese and 10,000 tons of bacon. Since then requests to primary producers have been varied and adjustments made from time to time to meet the war’s altered requirements.

“To-day we find increases are required in practically all our farming commodities, in particular, beef, pork, mutton, dairy produce, poultry, eggs and vegetables. Farmers generally are making a wonderful response, notwithstanding the serious drain on our manpower to the armed forces, and our thanks are especially due to the country womenfolk, in particular to the wives and mothers who have so readily filled the breach.

“During the year your Executive has held meetings each month (all of which have been well attended), and dealt with matters of general interest as affecting the farming community of this district.

The following is a brief report of some branches activities: VETERINARY CLUB After two previous attempts and failure through lack of support, the branch has again sponsored the formation of a veterinary club in Te Awamutu and a society has been registered and a representative committee elected. Veterinary clubs are becoming increasingly popular in other centres, and it now rests with the farmers of the district if they are desirous •f supporting a security against stock losses at a nominal outlay, to join this movement. TEA AND SUGAR RATIONS Your branch was concerned at the injustice being done those engaged in farming operations with regard to permits for their early morning and afternoon tea. After much explanation and pressure, the controller acceeded to our request and granted rations commensurate with those working in shops and factories. We also brought under the controller’s notice the necessity for additional quantities of sugar for preserving and jam making. We appreciate this increase, which has greatly assisted all sections in making provision for their winter requirements and at the same time eliminating the wastage of fruit that would otherwise have occurred. BARBED WIRE At the request of the military authorities, and through out provincial secretary, this branch undertook to contact farmers and collect for defence purposes all surplus barbed wire. Farmers responded very satisfactorily, some even removing their quota from their fences. After all arrangements for collection were complete, the Army advised that our quota was not required. Our thanks are extended to the farmers who so readily responded. TE RORE BENZINE A letter of thanks was received from a group of Te Rore settlers for the Union’s assistance in having retained for them their benzine allowance granted for business purposes. CULL COW DRIVES This source of disposal of cull stock is becoming increasingly popular. In the last season’s operations the Union handled 1608 head and indications point to another successful season. TRANSPORT This is a problem that has entailed considerable adjustment to the farmer. With tyres in short supply the maximum must be obtained by (1) full loads, (2) curtailment of overlapping, and (3) last, but by no means least, preference being given to the cartage of goods most advantageous to our war effort. The Union has fought consistently for greater consideration being given to the cartage of fat lambs. DRAUGHT AND CARRIAGE HORSES My Executive considered encouragement 'in the breeding of draught and carriage horses as a possible essential to our war effort, and requested our representative on the Transport Committee to recommend that petrol be made available for the travelling of entires during the season. COTTAGE HOSPITAL The Union supported the Chamber of Commerce’s request for a cottage hospital for Te Awamutu. AMALGAMATION OF UNION PAPERS It is gratifying to report that during the year the Union papers, Point Blank and Farming First amalgamated, now issuing Straight Furrow, which is the Union’s official organ. MEMBERSHIP With a voluntary organism such as ours, there is not the continuity of membership or finance as is enjoyed under compulsory systems. An organiser for this district is long overdue, but owing to the war, none is available. Let us retain our democratic system. We look to all farmers to “rally round,” thereby giving the

Union the support it so justly deserves. MESSAGE OF THANKS In conclusion, ! wish to thank Executive members for the support accorded me during my term of office, particularly to our secretary, Mr C. J. Flay, who has given so much thought and time to Union affairs. To the Courier we also extend our thanks for the reports and assistance in circulating the views of members. The treasurer’s annual statement was considered by the meeting and adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The officers for the year are:— President: Mr A. S. Wyllie.

Vice-presidents: Messrs G. R. Lawry and Alan Bryant. Treasurer: Mr G. Donaldson. Committee: Messrs H. R. Clarke and C. S. Alexander G. T. Crawley (Puahue), W. J. Hodgson and R. Mandeno (Hairini), E. Krippner (Te Rore), L. C. Day (Mangapiko), H. Williamson, J. Millen (Parawera), J. Rea, A. A. Dagg, C. Fletcher (Pukeatua), Len Kay, A. Cullen (Korokonui), E. Perrott, W. S. Earwaker (Te Mawhai), C. North (Ohaupo Road).

Delegates to Sub-Provincial i Messrs A. S. Wyllie, A. E. Bryant, C. North, L. C. Day, G. R. Lawry, C. J. Flay, G. T. Crowley, R. Mandeno, G. Donaldson, J. Rea, C. Fletcher and H. Williamson. The conference will be held at Hamilton on April 30. The annual provincial conference will be held at Auckland on May 25, 26 and 27, the local delegates being appointed at the Hamilton conference. At its meeting on Friday, the Te Awamutu branch recommended the appointment of Mr A. E. Bryant to the Provincial Executive. FARMER’S ACCOUNTING SYSTEM The group accountant, Mr R. F. Armstrong, tendered a report on the working for the past year. The group was formed under the auspices of the Te Awamutu branch of the Union in June, 1939, and in the first 12 months 45 members were enrolled and the total membership had now greatly increased. The idea behind the formation of the group was to enable the members to secure the benefit of taxation savings through depreciation allowances on certain assets when accounts are kept in a proper doubleentry system. For instance, if a farmer owned a tractor, truck, car or implement he may have saved as much as £4O in taxation in 1942. Following are included in the service provided: 1. Copy of his farm working account and balance sheet furnished to each member. 2. All correspondence with the Taxation Department is dealt with. 3. Land tax returns furnished. 4. All possible deductions for taxation purposes are secured. VETERINARY ASSOCIATION Mr W. J. Hodgson reported on progress made by the newly-formed Veterinary Association, Morrinsville’s experience, he said, going to prove the value of such an Association to the farmers. The Te Awamutu Association needed 250 members for a start, but it was not possible to make definite boundaries at present. Application for membership was now invited.