OKOKE FARMERS’ AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1931, Page 9

OKOKE FARMERS’ AFFAIRS

feNTHtsiASM Of THe branch. INTEREST IN ANIMAL HEALTH. Thb aiiiiUfil meeting of the Okoke Fatffifirs’ Uiiibii brfiricli. lust night, was well attended; and the enthusiasm shown by the members indicated the progress df the bfahcll. Mr. W. Hatgraves presided. Ah address concerning the animal health club aiid the provincial annual report was given by the provincial secretary, Mt. D.’ led; Motghli. 11l His. annual rfepott the president stated that the interest the branch had taken ill the union had been maintained throughout the year; The average attendance fit brfiiich meetings had been 10, the bteUcli nidnibbi’Ship totalling only 22. TO Stimulate ifitetest affiong youngfir farmers 16 Junior menibbrs, with a subscription of 2s. det.; had been enrolled. I'iie juniors to-day were the farmers of tb-ffidrtOW, ahd the work of the Ufiitffi cbiild iibt be inbCUlfitbd into them too early. Anonther successful innovation of the branch had been the forming of a debating club, and the two functions held had been most interesting. Bibven branch meetings had been held and several remits had been forwarded tb the provincial executive. The branch members had efiihiisifistically silppbrted the rally at Hawera. The secretary, Mr. A. B. Jones, had been an energetic worker in the interests of the. brfincli; and thb co-operation and enthusiasm of all members had enabled considerable work to be done.

The following officers were elected: President, Mr. W. Hargraves; vice-pre-sident, Mr. A. E. Deli He; secretary, Mr. A. B. Jones; delegate to provincial conference, Mr. Denne; delegate to ahimal health committee, Mr. G. C. Whittaker.

Spbaking of the Vallie of the Animal Health. Club, Air. Morgan stressed the point that it would be a seriods matter if the Fdririei-s’ Unidii lost the services of Mr. Hill-Mbtion, tile Veterinary surgeon. The cltlb had been started without any membebs at all, but now there ■were 120 members. However, that was not enough, and they would have to get 300 subscribers to keep the scheme and till* veterinary sbrgboii going. I’he benefits altyMty db'bi'iiiiig frOifi the scheme could be realised by everyone, aiid it would be an incalculable loss td the farmers if the scheme had to be disbontinued. It was likb tin insurance policy inasmuch as the farlhers did hot kiiow whbri tlib sbrvibbS of ail expert would be required.. It was certaiiily. the farmer’s best insurance policy, and it behovdd all members of the union to make every effort tb increase mtiriibership of the Animal Health Club.

The dhiitial report of tlie Tarahaki Farmers’ Union was read and discussed, points Of interest being explained by Mr. Morgan. The decision of tlie headquarters of the Union to forward copies of lectures to be discussed at the fortnightly bfiinch mbetiligs ivas btiiisidefod a scheme likely to prove valuable and interesting. Expert ideas on economic questions wbuld prove very enlightening.

Tlie followiity remits werb ilitivhd tb be considered at a conference at IngleWOod:

(1) That tlie btaifrih pfbtbst agriinst the Board of Agriculture’s-action in lifting the embargo on the importation of stock from Clredt Britaiii, eiidangeting the dairy farmers aiid breeders in New Zealand at the expense of a few breeders who were importing stock solely as a profit-making concern, and that, if possible; tlib restrictiOlis be increased. (2) That the uriiori be urged to iriflubuce the Governiiibiit to advance nidney for the purchase of manures tb be iiiade by equal payments tlirbugli the dairy factories during the months of NOvcmbe'r, December, January, February and Marcii. (3 That tile High Commissioner investigate the. quality of slag on the continent and that the Government make an effort tb control tlib purchase and sale of slag.

The working of the Animal Health Club was explained by Mr. Whittaker, who pointed out that the annual subscriplibh was £1 aiid Is. for babli cow ih the herd. That covered a certain number of■ slibdp, horsbs, ddgs arid tdlveb on the farm. Only major operations were charged- extra; - - • Several other members testified to tlie satisfaction they had received, and all spoke enthusiastically about the club’s veterinary surgeon, Mr. Hill-Motidn.