KAPONGA FARMERS’ UNION

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1934, Page 11

KAPONGA FARMERS’ UNION

SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL MEETING. PROGRAMME FOR COMING YEAR. There was a very good attendance at the second annual meeting of the Kaponga branch of the Farmers’ Union on Thursday evening. Mr. D. P. Malone presided. The report said that the past year had been a very trying one for all those connected with the dairying industry, and it was not yet safe to say that the prospects for the coming year would be any brighter. However, the Royal Commission which was recently set up to inquire into the dairying industry was in session and they hoped that some way out of the difficulties might be found. The lectures given at branch meetings had been thoroughly enjoyed, an interesting and instructive discussion following after each. The hay, ensilage and root-growing competitions were a splendid success and the thanks of the branch were extended to Mr. Raines for judging. The report expressed the hope that members would continue to support these competitions, which had become popular in North Taranaki. The branch membership stood at 70, which was a 50 per cent, increase on last year s. The finances of the branch were in a healthy condition, the statement of accounts showing a credit balance. Speaking of the report and balance sheet Mr. R. E. Williams said the branch was to be congratulated upon its splendid financial position and the great increase in membership. This must be considered highly gratifying as the branch has just concluded its second year. Prior to the election of officers Mr. Malone said he preferred not to seek re-election this year. Mr. Malone was subsequently nominated but he reiterated his previous decision, stating that for health reasons he felt it wise to take a rest. ■_ Mr. R. D. Dagg said he felt he was expressing the feeling of members when he said they much regretted Mr. Malone’s inability to carry on again. Mr. Malone had been an excellent president and had done good work in the establishment of the branch. MR. S. J. HOLLARD ELECTED. Mr. S. J. Hollard was nominated for the position of president and accepted after pressure. Mr. Hollard said he felt at a disadvantage residing as he did at the extreme end of the district. However, he would do his best but he would be hard put to it to maintain the high standard set by Mr. Malone. Other officers elected were: Vicepresidents, Messrs. C. N. Gordge and R. E. Williams; secretary and treasurer, Mr. C. F. Green; executive committee, Messrs. J. Brown, E. W. Snowden, R. D. Dagg, J. L. Chamberlain, D. P. Malone, E. M. Izett, J. Barleyman, J. W. J. Gardiner and J. Brisco. _ Mr. Williams moved a vote of thanxs to Mr. Malone for the splendid manner in which he had carried out the duties of the office during the past two years. He had done a tremendous amount of spade work in the inauguration of the branch. He had been a “live member and always a gentleman in the chair. The motion was enthusiastically carried by acclamation. Mr. Malone in acknowledging the members’ appreciation said it was. mainly on account of his health that he relinquished the office, but .he would not lose interest in that branch and would always render what-assist-ance he could. . . Delegates to the annual provincial com. ference are to be Messrs. Holland, Williams and Malone. It was decided to donate £2 2s to the Boys and Girls’ Clubs. Mr. Malone in acknowledging the donation on behalf of the clubs, of which he was a committee member, said the gift would be much appreciated. The club was domg excellent work but was rather hampered by lack of funds. A communication was received from the South Taranaki Herd Testing Association regarding the testing of cows. The chairman commended the. matter to members, stating the district and members would materially benefit it more herd testing was done. Arrangements were made for the programme of lectures at the monthly meetings during the winter. At the June meeting Mr. R. D. Dagg is to give an address on contagious ■ mammitis from the farmer’s point of view, and in July Mr. Hume, of the Herd Testing Association, is to give an address. Other lectures and debates are to be arranged later. CO-OPERATION WITH SOCIALS. The president referred to the proposals to hold a weekly social and dance in conjunction with the Awatuna and Auroa branches. The proposals are that a function would be. held at each centre each week, and a meeting is to be held at Awatuna on Monday next, when the matter will be decided. Messrs. Malone, Barleyman and Izett were appointed delegates to represent the Kaponga branch at this meeting. It was reported that the recent first annual social and dance was a success financially and socially, and the chairman congratulated members on the success of the venture, which he hoped would be repeated next year. Mr. Dagg moved the following remit to the provincial executive: “That this meeting urges the executive to press for effective legislation for the extermination of ragwort.” Speaking to his motion Mr. Dagg said it seemed that unless action was quickly taken it would not be long before hundreds of thousands of acres would be practically ruined. Ragwort was spreading at an alarming rate in the backblocks, and the danger from these areas was real. There was also the danger that it would ultimately become necessary to levy rates upon farmers • to assist those farmers whose farms were overrun with the weed as a result of neglect, and in this way an unfair burden would be placed upon, those farmers who had kept the pest down on their own farms, Mr. A. R. Bates in supporting the remit suggested that the Government be asked to subsidise research institutes such as the Cawthron Institute in o.der that a parasite might be found to control the pest. He instanced, a number of cases such as woolly aphis on apple trees and the prickly pear pest in Queensland which had been eradicated hv the use of suitable parasites. i-em’t was rdrp'.'d. It was decided to invite Mr. C. A.

Wilkinson, M.P., and other speakers, to sneak at Kaponga at an early date on the proposal that the matter of mortgage relief be brought within the scope of the Royal Commission enquiring into the dairying industry. Nominations were taken for the rootgrowing competitions, which will close early in June. ' The secretaiy was voted an honorarium of £2- 2s, At the next meeting, in addition *o a paper, on mammitis by Mr. Dagg, Mr. Bates will give ah outline of the Douglas Credit proposals.