FARMERS’ UNION ACTIVITIES

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1934, Page 11

FARMERS’ UNION ACTIVITIES

ANNUAL MEETING AT RATAPIKO. INCREASE IN' THE MEMBERSHIP. The interest taken in Farmers’ Union activities in the Ratapiko district ' was evidenced by 4 the attendance at the annual meeting last night, when it was shown that there was an increase in the membership. Mr. M. Nolan presided. Interest in the work of the union had been fairly well maintained, and most of the important problems confronting the farmer had been discussed, remarked the president in his annual report. Eleven meetings of the executive had been held and various remits had been forwarded to the provincial executive for’ further consideration. The attendances at meetings had been fairly good, but there was room for a larger muster. Two new members had joined during the year. Interest in the field competition was still very keen among the members and some very good crops had been grown, including mangolds, swedes, ensilage and hay. ■ The balance sheet showed that receipts totalled £6 19s 6d and expenditure £6 12s 3d.- There was a credit balance of £6. 0s Bd.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet the president expressed regret at the non-attendance of any member of the provincial executive. That, however, was due to a misunderstanding about the date and their part and not from any fault of the branch. He would have liked to have heard Mr. H. C.. Sorenson on pig recording club work and Mr. D. Le Cren Morgan on the. filling in of forms, but no doubt they would be able to hear them later. . He thought that the remit from the branch in connection with the returned soldier settlers had proved effective in placing the returned soldiers in a much better position, and thanks were due to Mr.- W. J Polson, M.P., Dominion president, and Mr. H. E. Blyde, provincial president, for their valuable services in the matter. He though the proposed hospital scheme when it came into operation would prove very beneficial to members. It was a great mistake that the veterinary laboratory at New Plymouth had been allowed to be closed owing to the lack ef interest. It had been established to investigate one of the worst diseases in Taranaki—mammitis. The district, which was one of the greatest dairying districts in New Zealand, had not only lost the laboratory but had also lost the services of Mr. Webster. It was only by testing that the farmer could discover which cows had mammitis. Interest in the branch had been remarkably well maintained, there being almost full attendances at every executive meeting. He expected there would be more entries in the competitions this year than- in the past, which was very gratifying, seeing that Ratapiko was one of the first branches to start the competitions. He had attended eleven meetings of the provincial executive as well as several ■ special meetings. He thanked the secretary for the splendid way he had carried out the work and the members for the loyal support given. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr. M-. Nolan; secretary, Mr. B. Dust; vice-president, Mr. J. Lepper; executive, Messrs. W. N. A. Long, J. Moratti, S. Martin, H. Telfar, E. Karalus, J. Stachurski, A. Gannaway, F. Hill, F. Stachurski, J. Edmonds and T. Eversfield; delegate to provincial conference, Mr. C. O. Edmonds. Members expressed appreciation of the services of the secretary and he was voted an honorarium of £2 2s. : Supper was served by members of the Women’s Division, Mesdames W. N. Willans, B. Dust, J. Lepper and S. Martin. They were accorded a vote of thanks.