FARMERS’ UNION AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1930, Page 11

FARMERS’ UNION AFFAIRS

KEEN BRANCH AT OKATO.

MR. L. D. HICKFORD RE-ELECTED

' Ever since its resuscitation two years a»o the Okato branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union has proved a very live -organisation; This was further shown last night' by the-representative attendance at the annual-meeting, when Mr. L. D.' Hickford presided over an attendance of about 30 memtiers. There were also present Messrs'. 'C. J. Harris (vice-president), D. Le Crew Morgan (secretary of the North Taranaki provincial executive), and J. M. Smith, of the Fields Division of the Agricultural Department. The balance-sheet showed that receipts had totalled £2O IGs. 7d;, the principal items being share of subscription fees' £lO 55., competition entry fees '£lo 10s. Expenditure had totalled £lO 10s. 10d., the principal items being competition prizes £9 4s. 9d., and provincial executive £2 3s. There was a credit balance of £2O 17s. 3d. as compared with £l6 17s. 7d. at the commencement of-the yeari " In his annual report the president said it Was gratifying to be able to submit such a satisfactory balance-sheet, there being an increase on last year’s credit balance, despite the fact that, they had additional expense last year in procuring prizes. The most important event during the year had been the Organisation of the held competitions? Anyone who. had gdhe round with the judges bn the field, days must havO realised their importance from an educational viewpoint, and the value of the' interchange of opinions. As showing that’the competitions were appreciated, he mentioried that this year the entries had more 'than- doubled. The question of formirigia veterinary association had not been lost to sight', but it had proved difficult to procure the-necessary formation. However, that had now come to hand, and they would-be able to proceed with the scheme. They were also moving in the direction of having attention paid tb the reserve at the Katikara which was infested with weeds. He expressed appreciation' of the assistance rendered by Mr. J. M. Smith. • ELECTION OF OFFICERS. .. When the election of officers was under consideration. Mr. C. Eustace moved that > all last year’s officers be returned, as they had done such good work. It was.' i inted out that this could not be done ■ cn bloc, but-air last -year’s .officers who; stood, were - ’re-elected ‘—as ' follows:. President-,• 'Mr. L. ; D;■ Hickford- (re-elect-i ed); secretary, Mr. G. G. Cocksedge (reelected); executive, Messrs. W. Bridgeman, T. Larking, L. Carey, L.--O’Sulli-van, H. T. Paul, C< - Eust c?; auditor, Mr. A. J. Smith; delegates to provincial the president and Mr. W. Bridgeman. Some discussion ’took place over the formation of a veterinary’club, the president reading the information received from Mr. Bridgeman; Membersip cost £5 p.a., the veterinary! surgeon covering a district with a 10-mile radius, and eight visits per annum’ being free to members, any extra costs to tie charged for at ss. per visit.! Members generally considered that the subscription should;.’hoi-on a sliding scale, according to the size of the herd. Mr. G. 11. Bell ••'■•(Oakura) expressed gratification at the.;,-.move to procure a veterinary surgeon for the district. He was very keen to see'’some such scheme introduced, but was -emphatically of opinion that a good man must be procured if any. It had been suggested that a basis of 2s. Gd. per cow might be setdown to include everything. ; The- opinion -was expressed by some* that 2s.'. Gd. per cow would-be too much. ■ Tire’ Opinion was fairly general that dairy company control .would be simpler than control by the Farmers’ Union. The matter wag-referred to a committee comprising the ’-president, Messrs. Bridgeman, Kriighf, —Brophy, Emslie,: ■Bell, Harris, Maloney?aAd the-secretary.: -.•A bote .of thanks fowhis'’’services was; 9. “ ’I.IS.I'’< '.

accorded Mr. E. B. Corbett, who was unable to accept re-election. The chairman and secretary were voted honoraria of £5 each, member's speaking eulogistically of their services. ACTIVITIES OF UNION. Mr. Harris congratulated the branch on its splendid work. The great interest taken in the work was shown by the large number of entries received in the competitions. He stressed the necessity for very careful consideration being given by farmers to the proposed unemployment relief legislation. It was the first step towards the introduction of the dole, and in a young country like New Zealand, there should be no need for the dole; = There -slm-ild be 'plenty'of; work. While it'had no 'objection to' assisting the unemployed, the union felt that the -men should do ,j?ome work, in return for.the assistance,giyen—productive work, for preference. Mr. D. LcC. Morgan also touched briefly on various matters outlined in the report submitted by the provincial executive on the work of the year. The particularly stressed the value' of farm competitions as a means of improving knowledge.

Mr. Smith gave an address on “Manures and manuring,” dealing with the various phases in an interesting manner. The address, which lasted almost an hour, and was illustrated with lantern slides, was followed closely by those present, and at the conclusion a number of questions were' asked and answered. The speaker stressed the importance of complete utilisation of. pastures/

Mr. Smith stated that it had been decided to offer Okato the annual field day. This the branch unanimously accepted.