OPUNAKE FARMERS’ UNION

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1932, Page 12

OPUNAKE FARMERS’ UNION

MEETING OF THE BRANCH. A meeting of th© Opunake branch of the Farmers’ Union was held on Saturday. Mr. J. D. Conaglen presided over a fair attendance; The chairman reported that he had written to the Egmont County Council in regard to the transport of unemployed workers on farms. The council could not undertake the transport w-ork. It was considered, said the chairman, that if the council undertook the transport of workers a uniform system would be the order and farmers requiring men could be taken in rotation. The council not being able, to do this, it devolved on the farmers to transport the men. Mr. L. Young said he had made his own arrangements and provided a paddock for the workers’ horses,' and it worked satisfactorily. The chairman announced that an alteration had been made under the cottage system for the unemployed. Hitherto interest on the buildings erected was payable 12 months after completion. Interest would now be charged on recent applications as soon as the cottage or sheds were completed. The question of overlapping motor collections of bobby calves was brought up. In other parts of Taranaki, said the chairman, the zone system was in operation which lowered the cost of Some members said overlapping was diminishing and the firms interested had made an attempt to prevent overlapping, but the firms w-ere not in complete agreement. Mr. R. Julian, delegate to the South Taranaki Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs, reported on the po»sition. It had been decided to issue adult members’ tickets at 2s 6d each and he had no difficulty in disposing of tickets at Pihama. Fortunately also Mr. J. R. Corrigan had donated cups and medals and Mr. L. O. Hooker (Hawera) had practically guaranteed to raise annually £lOO by arranging a side-show. The position now, said Mr. Julian, was that the club competitions were now an assured success. He -was very pleased with the results of the conference. Mr. D. Holmes jun. brought up the matter of farmers obtaining seed true to nature and with a guarantee of germination. He said the prices charged individual farmers were absurd. With regard to ryegrass he felt assured the seed he had was not a true type. Mr. Shepherd said the grass ran out early in and around the Opunake district, whereas at Awatuna W’ith the heavier soils it did well. Mr. Holmes said he could show a paddock put down 50 years ago which was better than some sown two years ago. A motion of condolence was' passed with the family of the late Mr. W. L. F. Chambers, who had been (secretary to the branch for some years.