HUIRANGI FARMERS

Taranaki Daily News, 11 April 1935, Page 7

HUIRANGI FARMERS

UNION’S ELEVENTH YEAR.

SUCCESSFUL PERIOD REVIEWED.

The 11th annual meeting of the Huirangi branch of the Farmers’ Union was held last night and, despite unfavour-' able -weather, the attendance was good. At the conclusion of the formal business of the meeting Mr. D. Le C. Morgan, secretary of the provincial executive, addressed members on the activities of the union during an extremely eventful year in the farming history of the Dominion. He also advocated interest in efficient farm accountancy and answered a number of questions relating to the individual problems of those present.

The annual report presented to the meeting stated that the branch had begun the year with a credit of £6 16s 3d and had increased this to £8 15s 9d. The meetings had been well attended. Competition winners were: Ensilage, Mr. P. Honnor; hay, Mr. J. Turner. The pasture competition had not been held as there were insufficient entries. The mangold crop of Mr. H. Hurford had been entered for championship honours and weighed out at *lO7 tons to the acre. The annual shooting match had been held last year with great success, but owing to unforeseen circumstances had to be abandoned this year. The balance-sheet showed a credit of £8 15s 7d. Receipts were £l7 Os 6d and included £6 2s capitation. Commenting on the report Mr. W. Hall, who presided, thanked the committee for excellent support during the year. The year had marked big legislative changes which would affect the farmer considerably—although it was too soon to say exactly how. “They have enough legislation to bring us to heel pretty quickly,” he said. “Let us hope they won’t be too hard for a start.” The farm mortgages: legislation was not exactly what the Farmers’ . Union had wanted, but was at least a step in the right direction. “We hope, however,” he said, “that those who are in grave difficulties through no fault of their own will derive some benefit.”

Farmers on the whole, said Mr. Hall, were bad “stickers,” but it should be remembered that unity was the only way by which the farmer could get the consideration he was entitled to. There was far too great a tendency to form a number of independent organisations instead of pooling strength. For instance, there had beaa a suggestion at Bell Block to form a ratepayers’ association. There was no necessity for such a step. The matter was one which could quite well be dealt with by the Farmers’ Union. Mr. Hall also referred to the extensive damage done by the recent flood and remarked that the Farmers’ Union hoped to help in individual cases should any such unfortunate occurrence happen in future. Officers were elected as follow:— President, Mr. W. Hall; vice-presidents, Messrs. E. S. Allen and H. Mace; secretary and treasurer, Mr. F. Y. Andrews; auditor, Mr. H. J. Arons; committee, Messrs. L. Longstaff, I. Poletti, F. Green, L. Tate, R. W. Giddy, L. Tatcher, H. Sutton, P. Honnor; F. Mace and W. J. Watson; delegates to provincial executive, Messrs. Hall and Allen; delegate to conference, Mr. Allen. Honoraria of £1 Is each were voted the president and secretary.