FARMERS’ UNION ACTIVITY

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1932, Page 6

FARMERS’ UNION ACTIVITY

EFFORTS OF STRATFORD BRANCH need FOR MORE enthusiasm. The annual meeting of the Stratford branch of the Farmers’ Union was held on Saturday, when Mr. M. </. Trotter presided over a small attendance. The chairman’s report, stated that the recommendation of the last annual meeting to hold meetings at Cardiff, which branch had been absorbed in the Stratford ‘branch, had been-given effect. A meeting had been, held to ascertain the feeling of the members concerned, the outcome. being a decision to form a branch'of their own. The result had been satisfactory bub had had the ef-fect-of reducing the. membership of the Stratford 'branch. . .Several meetings, had been held during the year, but the response in attendance had not been very encouraging. However, the branch' had managed to keep going. The organiser, Mr. Nelson, was due to canvass the district, when the branch, should be placed on a more satisfactory footing, as the chairman considered more members would be enrolled and, he hoped, greater enthusiasm shown. ■ ' • • ■ ' . The president regretted to report the depressing effect brought about by lower price levels ‘ for produce. Consequently returns from farming' operations had not been commensurate with the costs •of ■ production, facts . which were gradually. bringing about an. .unsatisfactory state of affairs—the depreciation of pastures due ,to lack of necessary fertilisers withheld as the outcome of inequitable price levels, which were reflected in- the production of butter-fat per .head being gradually but effectively impaired. The secretary, Mr. H. A. Hunt, while congratulating members on the conclusion of another year, regretted that members were somewhat apathetic with regard to their own-branch. Though he and, the president had endeavoured on several occasions to arrange meetings and addresses they had been unable to do so, chiefly 'because they had had to hold the . meetings -in Stratford,- where ‘menibpr'? had their own business to attend .to and had often, overlooked the ■necessity of' supporting the branch. Very soon it was hoped to have the organiser in the district and to increase the activities, of the branch. As representatives on the sub-provin-cial executive and-on the Stratford unemployment committee he and the president had watched the interests of members and had put before the executive all matters likely.to affect them. On the unemployment, committee they had been able to assist many ‘farmers in procuring labour for useful improvements oh farms. . . . At the last annual meeting the ■branch had a credit .balance of £7 19s Gd as , against this ; year’s, balance of £0 10s lid, which he. considered satisfactory, as during. the year the branch had transferred a number of members to Cardiff and. made the Cardiff branch a donation; of. £l'ss. The secretary drew., attention to the fact that -a committee consisting of Messrs H.' E. Blyde, J. Phillips and ■himself had been set up by.the-North Taranaki executive to -advise or assist where necessary any members in effecting adjustments with their mortgages. He was pleased- to report that the committee had been of great advantage to many farmers. Officers elected were: President, Mr. M. G. Trotter; secretary, and treasurer, Mr. H. A. Hunt; delegates to the Stratford sub-provincial executive, Messrs Trotter and Hunt. The old executive will hold office until after the organiser lias canvassed the district, when another meeting will be held and when opportunity will be afforded for the inclusion of new members on the committee. . On the suggestion of Mr. H. B. Fryday the secretary was instructed to inquire whether the Stratford'County, owing to the increase in its rateable value, was now entitled to another representative on the Taranaki Power Board. It was decided that the Minister of Agriculture be asked to develop lime deposits in the Dominion by unemployed labour and to supply lime to farmers as near the cost ’ as possible, ■but to ration thei supplies so that those most in need would receive benefit. POPPY DAY REALISES £7O. Approximately £7.0 has been received through the sale of c popP iBS Stratford and district. Of this, a little over £2'6 was produced in the town. CENTRAL DIVISION REFEREES. Following ■ are the • fixtures .and referees for Thursday in th® Central Division Rugby competitions; — First junior: Inglewood v. Toko, at Inglewood, Mr.- G.-,Collins; Midhirst v. ■Pukengahu, at Pukengahu, Mr. J. Carlson; Cardiff v. Stratford, at Cardiff, Mr. A. R. Harrison. Third.grade: Inglewood v. Toko, at Toko, Mr. W. Davis; Midhirst v. Eltham, at Midhipst, Mr. C. Pellowe; School v. Stratford, at Stratford, Mr. N. H. Tunhidiff. PERSONAL. Mr. E. AV. Hancock, Cardiff, is suffering* a severe illness. The Stratford branch of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday expressed its sympathy with him. Mr. Levi.Bunn, Puniwhakau, has been nominated for a further term as. representative of the Mangaehu riding on the Stratford County Council by Messrs J. B. Morris, Puniwhakau, and AV. Rumball, Douglas. The Rev. R. W- W. Alexander, formerly/vicar of the parishes of AVhangamomona, and Kawhia in the diocese of AVaikato, will leave Stratford to-mor-row to take duty for the Rev. Canon Quintrell, in the diocese of Nelson for six months. -

'Sympathy with the Mayoress of Eltham, Mrs.. I. J. Bridger, because of the death of her father was expressed at the meeting of the Eltham Borough Council. .