FARMERS AT TARATA

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1935, Page 5

FARMERS AT TARATA

UNION BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SPEAKS. There was a small attendance of farmers at the annual meeting of the Tar ata branch of the Farmers’ Union last night, when Mr. D. Le C. Morgan, North Taranaki secretary, urged the meeting to seek the co-operation of its neighbours to strengthen the efforts of the union. Mr. J. Simmons presided. The progress of the union was hindered by the indifferent attitude adopted by the farmers, said Mr. Morgan. The union had made great strides during the past 12 months but had every farmer given his whole-hearted support to the union the results attained would have been astonishing. Mr. Morgan outlined the achievements of the union during the past 12 months and urged the branch to create greater interest in the rootgrowing competitions. The branch should go farther than the competitions and hold field days. If the farmer intended to make a success of his business he would have to improve his methods of farming. The competitions and field days were a step in that direction. Mr. Morgan also made brief reference to recent mortgage legislation. The “fools’ paradise” created by making incorrect or incomplete unemployment relief tax returns was discussed by Mr. Morgan. He detailed the requirements of the board's forms and urged farmers to take the utmost care in making the returns. He outlined the methods that could be adopted for arriving at the value of stock. It was essential that all farmers should keep records of all their transactions. If books were not kept a farmer was not entitled to depreciation. As far as machinery was concerned it was necessary to keep a double-entry and a profit and loss account if depreciation was to be claimed. Members urged that the meetings should be continued throughout the year, it being felt that mer.xbers lost touch with the branch when meetings were suspended for a short period. It was left to Messrs. Elliot and Goodwin to ascertain the most favourable night for meetings.

The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £9 13s 9d. The election of officers resulted: President, Mr. A. Elliot; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. J. Webb and R. Lambert; secretary, Mr. C. W. Goodwin; committee, Messrs. L. A. Wickstead, J. Simmons, C. Waite, J. Smith and H. Lambert; delegates to the provincial conference, Messrs. Elliot and Goodwin.