WORK OF FARMERS’ UNION

Taranaki Daily News, 23 April 1932, Page 19 (Supplement)

WORK OF FARMERS’ UNION

MEETING OF OAKURA BRANCH. REVIEW OF YEAR’S OPERATIONS. The annual meeting of the Oakura branch of the Farmers’ Union, embracing the Oakura, Koru and Tataraimaka districts, was held during the week. Mr. C. J. Harris presided over a large attendance. In moving the adoption of the balancesheet, which showed a credit of £l4 Ils. 7d., the chairman congratulated _ the branch on the increase in membership to 59, 54 of whom were financial. Remembering the first meeting eight years ago, when about five farmers decided to form the branch, it was very gratifying to know that the men on the land weie supporting an organisation which was doing its utmost on behalf of the farmers of New Zealand. Meetings had been held at Oakura, Koru and Tataraimaka, and all had been fairly well attended. The annual social was a success and the profit was divided with the Women’s Division, which had always come forward to help the branch. Although no field competitions were organised by the branch one of the championship cups came to the district, Mr. G. H. Bell winning the Polson Cup for swedes. This year so far the entries were much better, 29 having been received, and he hoped the number would be increased before the closing date. Afi the representative of the branch he had attended the monthly meetings of the provincial executive. Harris pointed out that artangementfi had been made for members to receive special discounts from tiadesmen in different towns, and he hoped full advantage would be taken of these concessions. 0 The branch was arranging for shipments of potatoes from the South Island this winder. . The election of officers resulted: President, Mr. C. J. Harris; vice-presidents, Meeers. T. W. Telford and P. Knight; secretary and treasurer, Mr. P. ™ford; committee, Messrs. H. Jones, AA H. Honeyfield, AV. K. Moms, Profit!, J. Bentham, with officers ex officio; auditor, .Mrs Smart; delegatee to provincial conference, the president and Mr. W. K. Morris. The meeting favoured a. suggestion made at. a meeting of the Omata branch of the union that the Omata, Okato and Oakura. districts hold a combined sports meeting. The chairman was voted an honorarium of £5 towards the cost of his

travelling expenses in attending meetings of the provincial executive and other meetings. Mr. D. le C. Morgan, secretary of the North Taranaki provincial executive of the union, addressed the meeting, reviewfhg many of the most important questions which had occupied the attention of the union. At the close of the ordinary business of the meeting Mr. J. M. Smith, of the Department of Agriculture, gave an address on ‘'Fertilisers.” Members of the Women’s Division provided supper.