FARMERS’ UNION

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1935, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION

TIKORANGI BRANCH ACTIVITIES.

MR. J. H. PAULGER NEW PRESIDENT.

There was a representative attendance at the annual meeting of the Tikorangi branch of the .Farmers’ Union last night. Mr. L. A. Alexander, president of the branch, presided. The balance-sheet showed receipts of £7 19s 3d and expenditure of £7 13s 6d. The credit balance was £6 16s 4d as compared with £6 10s 7d at the beginning of the year. There was not a great deal to report, remarked the president. The provincial executive had carried out a lot of valuable work, which he would leave Mr. D. le Cren Morgan, provincial secretary, to review. Referring to the work of the branch, he congratulated Mr. J. H. Paulger, who has been president of the branch for eight years on his splendid achievement in bringing two prominent championships to the district, the championship for earth pit ensilage and for carrots. He also, congratulated the winners of local competitions, hay, Mr. J. Widmer; stack ensilage, H. A. Foreman; swedes Mr. R. McKenzie; mangolds, Mr. I. Vickery; concrete pit ensilage, Mr. T. Hine. Their high points spoke well for the standard of farming in the district. He stressed the educative value of the competitions. He recognised that members individually took a lot of interest in the competitions as shown by the entries and the points scored, but he deplored the lack of interest tajren in the judging. The only way that farmers could learn was by seeing the mistakes made by others, and so knowing what to avoid. He hoped that when the judge came round again,. there would be a large following. In that way the competition’s value would be greatly enlarged and instead of two championships in the district, they might possibly win the lot.

The branch had received a visit from the Urenui branch during the year, 34 members having visited Mr. J. H. Paulger’s pastures and piggeries; Lai er the Tikorangi branch returned Urenui’s visit, but only 12 members made the trip. He realised that farmers, found plenty to do on their own farms, but by such visits, he considered they could learn more and therefore earn more than by staying on their own farms.

He considered that the balance-sheet compared very favourably with that of last year, thanks to the profit from the social held in connection with the presentation of prizes. The membership had been well maintained, remaining at about the same as the previous year, which, under present conditions, must be regarded as satisfactory. Mr. H. A. Foreman congratulated Mr. Paulger on his meritorious performance. Mr. Paulger said he had tried for several years to win the ensilage championship and was very pleased at having done so. The carrot competition had merely been taken from another member of the branch. He had been very disappointed with the number of entries from the district in the pasture competition, which he regarded as the most vital in the whole series of the competitions. Last year there had only been six entries from the district in the pasture competition and only one of these had been placed in the first 25. There was room for improvement there. He congratulated the branch on the slight improvement shown in its financial position, which was due to the work of the secretary. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr. J. H. Paulger; vice-presidents, Messrs. L. A. Alexander and C. Foreman; secretary, Mr. R. McKenzie (re.-elected); auditor, Mr. J. W- Garner; delegate to the annual conference, Mr. L. A. Alexander; committee, Messrs. L. Lye, R. Rolfe, H. Foreman, C. S. Carmichael, C. P. Mahey, D Griffiths, I. Vickery, A. Softe, L. J. Linn, L. Lepper, A. C. Beaven, P. G. Sarten, J. Whittaker and J. Askew. The secretary declined to accept an honorarium of £2 2s, saying he had been pleased to do what he could to assist the branch. The president and vice-presidents were appointed a sub-committee to approach the Motunui branch with a view to tne

two branches''amalgamating and forming a strong branch. It was decided to vote„£l to the school prize fund. Votes of thanks were accorded the retiring president, Mr. L. A. Alexander, who declined renomination owing to pressure of business, and the secretary, Mr. R. McKenzie.

Mr. Morgan gave a comprehensive review of the activities of the provincial executive during the year and urged all farmers to support the executive, which was looking after their interests all the time. He also put in a strong plea for support for the competitions.

A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Morgan, the president, Mr. Paulger, expressing appreciation of his untiring efforts on behalf of the Farmers’ Union. At the conclusion supper was served by women members of the ping-pong club, which was holding its opening eight.