OKATO FARMERS’ RE-UNION

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1934, Page 12

OKATO FARMERS’ RE-UNION

ENJOYABLE EVENING SPENT. SUCCESS OF FARM COMPETITIONS. Characterised by the chairman as a reunion of town and country friends and as a fitting finish to the annual meeting of the dairy company after over £lO,OOO had been distributed to suppliers as a bonusi the annual smoke concert of the Okato branch of the Farmers’ Union on Wednesday night was an outstanding success. There was a representative gathering. Mr. L. D. Hickford, presi-« dent of the branch, presided. “Field Competitions” was proposed by Mr. J. M. Smith, who said there was no question but what the field competitions were one of the features of farm life in 'orth Taranaki, and as far as the Department of Agriculture was concerned were one of the strong aims of agricultural instruction. Instruction to be of value to the farming community must be of a practical nature. Though theory might be really valuable it did not appeal to the fanners. From the farmers’ field competition farmers could see the actual results of farm practice and how those results were achieved. The department did not deserve any credit for the way that the competitions had gone ahead, as the farmers themselves had been responsible. He could quote numerous statistics regarding the progress of the competitions, but would merely point out that when they first started a few years ago Mr. G. H. Bell had put up a record with an 80-ton crop. Each successive season had seen the weight of the crops increase, until now they had crops of well over 100 tons. H. T. Paul, of their own district, had grown a record crop of 170 tons of mangolds, and a smaller crop had weighed out at over 200 tons. Each year had seen marked improvement in pasture management until' to-day the ensilage was 100 per cent, better than it was six or seven years ago. ; That was largely due to the field competitions. Farmers to-day were quick to take advantage of knowledge gained in that way, for though a few years ago they considered it infra dig to take notice of what their neighbours did, the field competitions were taken up whole-heartedly by the farmers of the Okato district, which each year secured two or three championships, and it appeared as though the district would again secure three or four championships as well as possibly the points prize. The department realised the value of the field competitions and he wished the Okato district every success in future competitions. He congratulated Mr. H. T. Paul, who had done ... such exceptionally fine work in connection with the competitions, but said he was looking forward to the day when some of the younger farmers would beat Mr. Paul. Mr. H. T. Paul said that his heart and soul were in the competitions, in which he had taken part ever since they had been initiated in the district He hoped, however, that he would not always be successful, but that some day. he would be beaten. However, he always tried to do his best. If there were any faults ■he always asked Mr. Smith to tell him and that was always willingly done. Mr. Smith always welcomed criticism and farmers should not hesitate to ask ques- - tions and profit by the advice as he had done. He owed a goon. ' , :al of his success to the farmers’ field days. Its activities in connection with the field competitions fully justified the formation of the branch of the Farmers’ Union and he urged all to enter and make the competitions a success, irrespective of the quality of their crop, as they would , » undoubtedly gain valuable information. He had been fortunate in having a good piece of land and his family had helped considerably in . the cultivation, important factors in his success in root-grow-ing. Anyone under similar conditions could grow a good crop of mangolds. He would, however, claim .to know something about ensilage-making, about which there was a lot to learn.

“Commercial Friends” was proposed by Mr. L. Carey, who said the farmers welcomed members of the commercial community, who rendered valuable service and played a prominent part in the life of the farming community. In response, Mr. H, F. Kirk., complimented the Okato branch of the Farmers’ Union on its organisation and the work that members put into its various activities. It was a splendid achievement, too, for the branch to have won the New Zealand Farmers’ Union shooting championship. That the younger members of the community were imbued by the same spirit was shown by the success of the basketball team. Mr. H. S. Wagstaff spoke appreciatively of the wonderful work done by the Okato branch of the Farmers’ Union and by Mr. J. M. Smith, who, he considered, was responsible for the marked improvement which had taken place in farming methods. If necessary he thought Taranaki could still double its production. The interests of the commercial community were wrapped up with those of the farming community, Who were the backbone of the country. “The Farmers’ Union” was proposed by Mr. D. Le C.~ Morgan, who apologised for the absence of Mr. H. E. Blyde, provincial president. Both socially and in various other directions the Farmers’ Union was doing a lot of good for the farmers and for the community as a whole.* He recognised . that there ’ were diverse views but by meeting together various aspects could be discussed. He stressed the value of community service. In reply, the chairman said that the Farmers’ Union was an organisation of which they might well be proud, but it did not receive all the support that it should from members and non-mem-bers. The meeting of the dairy . company that day had given a splendid instance of successful co-operation, and if the same co-operation were infused into Farmers’ Union activities it would be a very powerful organisation. He briefly reviewed the various activities of the branch which helped greatly in the general and social activities of the farming community. Other toasts were “Visitors” (chairman—Messrs A. E. Denne, Okoke, and P. O’Sullivan, Whakatane), “Entertainers” (Mr. L. O’Sullivan—Mr. W. W. Thomson), “Sporting Organisations” (Mr. J. Rankin—Mr. K. Staunton), "The Ladies” (Mr. K. Thomson—Mr. J. Parfitt), the Press (the chairman), and 'the chairman. Enjoyment was added by an excellent programme, thos.- contributing being Messrs W. W. Thomson, K. F. Kirk, J. Rankin, W. F. Hay, J. Christie, J. Joll, C. G. Cocksedge and L. Carey. .Mr. Hay was the accompanist. Conununity singing was led by Mr. Thomson, Mr. Hay accompanying.